Plant Manager

Role overview

The Plant Manager will oversee day-to-day operations at Heartwood Biomass’s wood products manufacturing site in Wallowa, Oregon. This role is centered on strong leadership of the facility workforce across production functions, with a focus on safety, productivity, quality, and practical problem-solving. The manager will also shape and carry out production and maintenance plans that reflect the company’s values, support an inclusive workplace, deliver high-quality products made from forest restoration residuals, and contribute to healthy financial performance.

Operations and production

• Foster a workplace where safety comes first and safe methods are consistently followed.
• Lead all plant operations so that productivity, quality, and financial goals are met or exceeded.
• Plan and coordinate production schedules, shipping activities, and maintenance work.
• Bring production and maintenance teams together so daily output, preventive maintenance, and long-term equipment reliability stay aligned.
• Manage byproduct tracking, routing, and disposal/recovery at the Wallowa site to get the best value from all material streams.
• Study production and operational data to assess performance and spot improvement opportunities.
• Work with senior leadership to create and oversee the annual operating budget for the facility, monitor actual results against budget, and report progress to the CEO.
• Develop, review, and guide capital improvement plans and projects.

Key relationships and collaboration

• Partner with the CEO on operating strategy and broader company planning.
• Coordinate with the VP of Sales & Innovation to match production capability with commercial needs.
• Work with the Director of HR and Admin on staffing, workforce planning, and employee matters for the Wallowa facility.
• Coach and grow frontline leaders, including maintenance, safety, and department leads.
• Build strong trust with internal teams and encourage collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain effective working relationships with customers, suppliers, and contractors.
• Help advance safety priorities throughout the organization.

Leadership expectations

• Lead with accountability, inclusion, clear communication, and a mindset of continuous improvement.
• Make operational decisions based on sound criteria and use resources effectively.
• Recognize, evaluate, and reduce operational and safety risks while strengthening financial and operational controls.
• Model company values and help sustain a workplace built on safety, quality, and mutual respect.

Experience and qualifications

• Background in industrial manufacturing management, ideally within forest products.
• Strong skills in communication, analysis, relationship-building, and team leadership.
• Self-directed, proactive, and creative, with experience introducing new products or process improvements.
• Experience managing profit and loss and understanding the business drivers behind profitability.
• Comfortable presenting ideas clearly in verbal, written, and presentation formats.
• Experience working with a wide range of stakeholders, including government agencies, customers, loggers, and community members.
• Hands-on exposure to capital improvement work, mechanical and electrical systems, and repair or preventive maintenance programs.
• Strong decision-making and troubleshooting ability for mechanical and electrical systems.
• Preferred experience in log procurement, timber supply chains, or related sourcing work.
• Training in continuous improvement methods such as Lean Manufacturing, Toyota Production System, Deming/Total Quality Management, or Six Sigma is preferred.
• A BS degree in Business Management, Forestry, or Engineering is preferred, though extensive plant operations experience may be considered in place of formal education.
• At least 3 to 5 years of manufacturing facility management experience, ideally in wood products.

Physical requirements

• Ability to work in an active production setting with long periods of standing and walking.
• Occasional lifting of up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to bend, stoop, and carry items as needed.
• Must be able to identify wood species by color and other visible characteristics.

Work location and schedule

This is a full-time, permanent position based in Wallowa, Oregon. The schedule is Monday through Friday, with weekends required when production demands call for it. Travel to logging sites may be necessary.

Compensation and benefits

The role offers an annual salary of $80,000 to $120,000, plus benefits including dental, vision, ambulance membership, long-term disability, life insurance, ICHRA, and a retirement match.

Additional information

Updated: April 2026.