Plant Manager

Summary

The Plant Manager is responsible for overall leadership, safety, operation, & performance of a chemical (rubber, dispersants) manufacturing facility.

Ensures safe, efficient, and cost-effective production while maintaining high standards of quality, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.

Drives operational excellence, develops talent, and aligns plant performance with company objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Safety & Environmental Compliance

• Champion a strong safety culture with zero-incident mindset.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Oversee safe handling of chemicals, raw materials, and hazardous substances typical in rubber and dispersant manufacturing.
• Ensure incident investigations and corrective actions are complete.
  
  

Operational Leadership

• Lead all plant operations including EHS, production, maintenance, engineering, and quality functions.
• Ensure efficient manufacturing processes for rubber compounds & dispersant products.
• Develop/execute production plans to meet customer demand, quality standards, & cost targets.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as throughput, yield, downtime, and scrap/rework rates.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies).
  
  

Quality Management

• Ensure consistent production of high-quality products that meet customer specifications and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance to maintain & improve quality systems (ISO 9001 framework).
• Address customer complaints and implement root cause analysis and corrective actions.
  
  

Financial & Business Performance

• Develop/manage plant budgets (labor, materials, maintenance, and capital expenditures).
• Optimize cost efficiency without compromising safety or quality.
• Support forecasting, inventory management, and supply chain optimization.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
  
  

People Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, develop department managers and plant employees.
• Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, engagement, & continuous learning.
• Support workforce planning, hiring, training, and performance management.
  
  

Maintenance & Reliability

• Oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Ensure equipment reliability to minimize downtime and maximize operational efficiency.
• Support capital projects, process upgrades, and new equipment installations.
  
  

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Promote Lean manufacturing, waste reduction, and process optimization.
• Identify and implement automation or process improvements specific to chemical/rubber production systems.
• Support new product introductions and process scalability.
  
  

Requirements

• BS, MS Chemical Engineering required. Comparable engineering degree with experience in plant operations, refinery process, or biodiesel will be considered.
• Minimum 10 years of experience processing/engineering in chemicals, petroleum/refining, or petrochemicals.
• Minimum 3 years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment of operations personnel.
• Prior experience running plant trials and conducting process plant optimization preferred.
• Expert knowledge of chemical plant and/or refinery processes.
• Prior experience supporting execution of capital projects including planning spreadsheet and scope development, design, execution, and start-up/commissioning.
• Prior experience using process instrumentation and controls, in addition to simulation and modeling applications (e.g., Chemcad, ASPEN).
• Exposure to cost engineering and evaluating benefits.
• Familiarity with PSM, process safety tools and risk analysis.
• Ability to use computer software for planning, budgeting, inventory control and database management.
• MUST BE US CITIZEN OR US GREEN CARD HOLDER