Water Works is seeking a Plant Leader for our San Diego office. The Plant Leader is responsible for the SQIDCP (Supply, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, Cost & People) performance on the execution of the projects for the plant.

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities

Health, Safety & Environment

• Enforce safety protocols to maintain a safe work environment.

• Ensure compliance with site regulations and Group standards.

• Promote sustainable manufacturing (e.g., waste reduction, energy efficiency).

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement in EHS practices.

Quality

• Implement and maintain quality control standards to meet customer and industry expectations.

• Ensure compliance with quality certifications (e.g., ISO 9001).

• Own the plant’s SQIDCP matrix and link quality initiatives to global objectives.

Customer Focus

• Align manufacturing processes with customer needs and on-time delivery goals.

Continuous Improvement

• Optimize efficiency and quality through lean principles and best practices.

• Champion continuous improvement (e.g., Kaizen) and innovation.

• Apply Grundfos Production System and monitor KPIs for performance.

Costs

• Resource Management: Optimize labor, materials, and equipment to meet production and cost targets.

• Budget Management: Manage plant budget, control expenses, and identify savings opportunities.

Delivery

• Production Planning: Align schedules with customer demand and inventory targets.

• Inventory Management: Balance production needs with inventory costs; minimize waste.

Production

• Oversee daily plant operations to meet financial and operational goals.

• Lead investment proposals and deploy strategic initiatives (e.g., Clean Water, Operations Roadmap).

• Conduct daily action meetings and manage key plant functions (maintenance, quality, logistics, etc.).

• Ensure TPM principles, standardization, flexibility, and adaptability across operations.

• Resolve operational escalations and maintain a productive work environment.

Leadership

• Lead and develop teams through performance management and regular feedback.

• Foster trust, collaboration, and a culture aligned with company values.

• Support training, succession planning, and talent development.

• Implement corporate policies on HR, sustainability, and innovation.

• Communicate company strategy and drive relevant initiatives.

• Contribute to company/division projects as needed.

.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Engineer’s degree or equivalent
• Strong knowledge of continuous improvement tools and methodologies, as well as flow and planning management
• In-depth understanding of best practices and production standards within operations
• Good knowledge of implementing manufacturing concepts into end-to-end supply chains
• Excellent knowledge of SQDCIP standards (Safety, Quality, Cost, Customer Satisfaction, etc.)
• Experience in implementing strategies and strategic initiatives in a complex industry, including working in large international industrial environments.
• 5-10 years of experience in Plant or Autonomous Production Unit management in an industrial and international environment
• Experience leading and/or creating processes preferably within leadership of cross functional groups and disciplines.
• Experience leading diverse teams and processes.
• Strong knowledge of best practices and relevant systems within Operations.
• Have been exposed in roles or projects outside Operations.
•  focus knowledge of best practices and relevant systems within Operations.
• Focus on Continues Elimination of the “7 wastes.”
• Knowledge of P&L and Balance sheet.
• Knowledge of SIOP and Physical flows.
• Knowledge of safety risk assessment.
• Knows how to define and implement action plans for all industrial operations integrating compliance with all industrial regulations in a new environment.
• Proficiency in professional-level English is essential.