Plant Manager
About the job
- A bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field is highly preferred; equivalent education and progressive manufacturing leadership experience will also be considered.
- At least 7 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience with responsibility for operations, production, quality, safety, and employee development.
- Previous experience as a Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Manufacturing Manager, or in a similar leadership role is strongly preferred.
- Experience in transportation, automotive, engineered products, furniture, bedding, or another high-volume manufacturing environment is preferred.
- Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, Standard Work, and continuous improvement is required.
- Experience with production scheduling, capacity planning, inventory management, labor optimization, ERP/MRP systems, and operational performance metrics is required.
- Working knowledge of CNC cutting, fabrication, assembly, material flow, warehousing, and shipping operations is required.
- Understanding of maintenance, capital equipment planning, automation, and manufacturing technology improvements is required.
- Oversee day-to-day manufacturing operations, including foam cutting, fabrication, kitting, packaging, shipping, and supporting production activities.
- Develop and execute operating plans that align plant performance with business objectives and customer needs.
- Drive operational excellence through Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Standard Work, Visual Management, 5S, and waste elimination.
- Optimize production scheduling, labor utilization, equipment performance, and material flow to increase throughput and efficiency.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators to improve productivity, quality, inventory accuracy, and overall plant performance.
- Partner with Engineering on new product launches, process improvements, equipment installations, and automation initiatives.
- Champion a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental, and company requirements.
- Support ISO 9001 requirements while advancing automotive readiness through IATF 16949 and VDA 6.3 principles.
About the company
HSM is a privately held global manufacturer that started with coiled springs for furniture and bedding and expanded into vertical integration, including wire drawing and polyurethane foam. It serves transportation, packaging, and specialty manufacturing with end-to-end in-house processes that control the supply chain from raw materials to finished parts. It differentiates itself by offering multiple capabilities under one roof and growing through strategic acquisitions, such as entering bus seating with the C.E. White Company. Its goal is to be a reliable global partner that provides integrated, end-to-end manufacturing solutions and maintains steady, long-term relationships with industrial customers.
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Hickory, North Carolina
Founded
1944
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- VICTA Lite launched in 2026, targeting lighter transit seats and longer EV range.
- Barberton, Ohio opened in June 2025, adding induction-tempered spring-wire capacity and 16-18 jobs.
- HSM won Hickory's 2026 Legacy Award, strengthening local recruiting and customer credibility.
What critics are saying
- Revelio showed HSM headcount fell to 1,460 in March 2026, signaling pressure.
- Active job postings dropped 14.8% in 2026, and hiring velocity cooled to 22 monthly.
- A failed VICTA Lite launch lets larger bus-seat rivals commoditize HSM Transportation.
What makes HSM unique
- Since 1944, HSM vertically integrates wire, metal, seating, and automation in Hickory.
- HSM exclusively manufactures C.E. White school-bus seats, controlling aftermarket parts and replacements.
- Atlantic Automation's 2024 North Carolina expansion broadened HSM's engineered components platform.
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Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- 401(k) Company Match
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Professional Development Budget
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Discounts