Plant Manager (Nevers, FR, 58027)Gates Industrial

What to expect?

Gates is seeking a Plant Manager to lead its manufacturing facility in Nevers, France, a strategic site within Gates' global manufacturing network employing approximately 150 associates and specializing in the production of high-performance industrial and automotive belt solutions.

The Plant Manager has overall responsibility for the leadership, performance, and continuous improvement of the site, overseeing all manufacturing and support functions including Production, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Engineering, HSEE, Human Resources, Finance, and Continuous Improvement. The role is accountable for delivering operational and financial results, achieving customer satisfaction objectives, and driving a culture of safety, quality, productivity, employee engagement, and operational excellence.

As the senior leader of the plant, this position ensures the site remains competitive through the adoption of best practices, continuous improvement initiatives, and the effective deployment of Gates Manufacturing Excellence principles. The Plant Manager is also responsible for ensuring full compliance with all applicable quality, environmental, health, safety, and energy management standards, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, and other regulatory and company requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Health, Safety and Environment

• Make employee health, safety and well-being the site’s highest priority.
• Ensure compliance with French regulations and Gates HSE standards.
• Promote a strong prevention culture through visible leadership and regular shop-floor presence.
• Has delegated authority to sign driving authorizations for the employees in his department

Operational Performance

• Take overall accountability for the site’s operational performance and results.
• Ensure achievement of production, quality, delivery, productivity and cost objectives.
• Monitor key performance indicators, identify gaps and implement effective action plans.
• Optimize the use of equipment, capacity, resources and manufacturing processes.
• Provide reliable and transparent performance reporting to regional management.
• Ensure effective production planning and reliable customer deliveries.

Site Strategy and Competitiveness

• Define and implement the site’s medium and long-term roadmap in line with Gates and EMEA priorities.
• Anticipate changes in volumes, technologies, customer needs and required capabilities.
• Develop capacity, investment and organizational plans.

Continuous Improvement and Transformation

• Develop a sustainable Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement culture.
• Promote structured problem-solving, standardization and operational excellence.

Quality and Customer Service

• Ensure that products and processes meet customer, regulatory and Gates requirements.
• Promote a strong quality culture throughout the site.
• Ensure effective root-cause analysis and corrective actions for customer complaints and non-conformities.
• Drive improvements in product quality, delivery performance and customer satisfaction.

Financial Performance

• Take full accountability for the site’s budget and financial results.
• Prepare and manage budgets, forecasts and capital expenditure plans.
• In relation with Finance, control manufacturing costs, fixed costs, inventory and operating expenses.

Human Resources & Leadership

• Set clear priorities and regularly review individual and collective performance
• Work closely with Human Resources to define and implement the site’s people strategy
• Anticipate workforce and skills requirements in line with the industrial roadmap
• Ensure compliance with French employment legislation, collective agreements and company policies
• Ensure the role of Worker Council President and Lead negotiations with Union in partnership with the HR Manager

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, Gates policies and internal procedures.
• Manage the site’s operational, industrial, financial, environmental and employee relations risks.
• Represent the site with local authorities, regulatory bodies and external stakeholders.

Keys to Success

• Requires a comprehensive understanding of internal and industry standards and principles

Supervisory Responsibilities

• 3+ direct reports
• Manages multiple related teams, typically through manager and/or team lead
• Manages large team of professionals and or managers
• Sets organizational priorities and allocates resources; executes department business plans
• Has team leadership, performance management and people development responsibility to build strong teams

Requirements and Preferred Skills

• 11 - 15 years of experience
• Master’s degree or equivalent, preferably in Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain or Operations Management.
• Significant leadership experience within a demanding manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience as a Plant Director, Operations Director or leader of a sizeable manufacturing operation.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and managing industrial transformation.
• Solid background in Lean Manufacturing, financial management, HSE and employee relations.
• Fluent French and English
• Salary between €85,000 and €105,000 (depending on qualifications) + bonus

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