Posted August 03, 2026

Plant Manager - Barker Boatworks

Strike Force Seven LLC

Sarasota, FL, US Full Time

90000USD - 125000USD per year

Plant Manager – Roles and Responsibilities

Barker Boatworks

Reports to: Ownership | Direct reports: Line leads and shop technicians (lamination, assembly, rigging, finishing)

Position Summary

The Plant Manager owns day-to-day production of the shop — manufacturing finished boats on time, on budget, and to Barker’s fit-and-finish standard.

Operations

Own the production and prototype schedule across all build stages – lamination/layup, assembly, rigging, and finishing – to hit build starts and delivery targets
Balance labor and capacity to prevent bottlenecks and keep boats flowing between stages
Track work-in-process and build-stage progress; report status and delivery dates weekly
Coordinate with sales on custom build specs, options, and change orders so the floor builds to the correct configuration
Facilitate troubleshooting and issue mitigation
Be the liaison between the production line and outside technical support (Garmin, Mercury, etc.)

Quality

Own build-quality standards across lamination, assembly, finishing, rigging, and final QC
Run stage-gate inspections before a boat advances to the next station; catch defects early
Uphold the fit-and-finish standard consistent with Barker’s premium positioning
Work with Service and Warranty to drive root-cause analysis and corrective action to prevent repeat issues

Facilities

Facilitate any repairs and maintenance of equipment (molds, compressors, doors, forklifts, spray rigs, etc)
Run a preventive-maintenance schedule and coordinate outside contractors and vendors
Keep the shop organized and flowing (5S); manage layout, cleanliness, and workspace safety

Culture / Leadership

Preserve and strengthen the Barker Boatworks culture by leading with integrity, accountability, respect, clear communication, and pride in craftsmanship while holding every employee accountable to the company's standards and expectations.
Clear obstacles for the line leads — give them room to make decisions, own their areas, and keep the bigger picture in view.
Work with each lead to define their top priorities and hold them accountable to hitting them.
Hire, train, and develop manufacturing employees
Set clear performance expectations and hold regular reviews and feedback

Materials & Cost

Control material cost, reduce scrap and rework, and support build-cost tracking against targets

Key Metrics (KPIs)