Plant Launch Manager

Elkhart, IN | $90,000–$110,000 Performance Bonus | New Plant Startup | Hands-On Industrial Operations

This is a builder’s role.

We’re seeking a Plant Launch Manager to lead the startup of a new industrial processing facility in Elkhart, Indiana. During the first six months, your primary focus will be getting the plant built, commissioned, and operating efficiently. You’ll work alongside a small, hands-on team to establish equipment, processes, safety standards, workflows, and operating procedures from the ground up.

This is not an established plant where you inherit a large team and an existing playbook. You’ll need to think independently, solve problems as they happen, work directly with technicians and contractors, and take ownership of getting the facility operational.

Plant Launch Manager Benefits and Compensation:

• $90,000–$110,000 annual salary
• Performance bonus tied to milestones and KPIs
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with 4% company match
• Paid time off & 8 paid floating holidays
• Employer-paid basic life and long-term disability insurance
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Mileage reimbursement
• Tuition, license, and endorsement reimbursement
• Relocation assistance on a case-by-case basis

Plant Launch Manager Requirements & Qualifications:

• Experience launching, commissioning, expanding, or building an industrial or processing operation
• Strong mechanical aptitude with hands-on industrial troubleshooting experience
• Experience with fluid handling, tanks, pumps, piping, processing equipment, waste handling, bulk materials, or comparable industrial systems
• Working knowledge of industrial safety and OSHA requirements
• Proven ability to make sound decisions independently and solve problems without an established playbook
• Ability to create operating procedures, workflows, maintenance practices, and plant structure from the ground up
• Comfortable working hands-on in an industrial environment, including outdoors as needed

Must Haves:

• Direct experience contributing to a plant startup, commissioning project, major facility buildout, or significant industrial process installation
• Ability to troubleshoot mechanical and operational issues and determine practical solutions
• Experience establishing or improving plant processes rather than simply maintaining existing procedures
• Comfortable working directly alongside technicians, contractors, vendors, and equipment suppliers
• Strong ownership and accountability for projects and results
• Ability to manage changing priorities and make decisions in a developing operation

Plant Launch Manager Preferred Background & Skills:

• Grease, fats and oils, used cooking oil, recycling, waste processing, wastewater, rendering, food processing, chemical processing, agriculture, or similar industrial processing experience
• Tank farm, bulk liquid storage, or fluid-transfer experience
• Experience with pumps, piping, heating systems, truck offloading, or material-transfer equipment
• Environmental compliance, permitting, or waste-disposal experience
• Mechanical or industrial engineering background
• Experience coordinating vendors, contractors, equipment installations, and facility projects
• Experience developing or leading a small operations or maintenance team
• Welding, pipe fitting, fabrication, construction, or industrial maintenance knowledge

What Success Looks Like:

Within your first six months, you’ll focus on turning a developing facility into a functioning plant. Key priorities include establishing reliable truck offloading and grease-heating processes, bringing the tank farm online, developing a compliant water-disposal process, implementing safety and operating procedures, and creating the structure needed for efficient day-to-day operations.

As the facility grows, your focus will transition from plant launch to long-term operational leadership, continuous improvement, team development, safety, and plant performance.

If you’re at your best when there isn’t already a manual telling you exactly what to do, this is an opportunity to build an operation you’ll eventually lead.

Cassandra Williams

Salary : $90,000 - $110,000