Plant Manager - Lubricants and Specialty Chemicals

Position Summary - Full time, not remote

The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall leadership of Kano Laboratories'

TriboScience & Engineering (TSE) facility. This position oversees manufacturing, laboratory

operations, engineering, quality, maintenance, safety, inventory, and continuous

improvement. The Plant Manager will ensure the facility operates safely, efficiently, and

consistently while supporting product development, technical innovation, and business

growth.

This position requires a hands-on leader who enjoys working with people, solving

problems, and improving processes. The ideal candidate has a strong technical

background, proven manufacturing leadership experience, and the ability to build a high performing

organization.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead all day-to-day operations of the TSE manufacturing facility.
• Develop production plans that safely meet customer demand while maximizing efficiency and product quality.
• Establish performance metrics and drive continuous improvement in safety, quality, productivity, and cost.
• Lead capital improvement projects, equipment installations, and facility expansion efforts.
• Maintain compliance with all applicable safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure quality systems are maintained and continuously improved.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions for quality and operational issues.
• Partner with R&D to successfully transition new formulations from development into manufacturing.
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing processes, equipment, and plant capabilities.
• Develop and mentor supervisors and production personnel while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with Purchasing, Planning, Sales, Marketing, Product Management, and Executive Leadership to support business objectives.
• Participate in strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, and long-term operational planning.
• Support customer visits, technical discussions, and manufacturing audits as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology,
• or a related technical discipline.
• Ten or more years of progressive manufacturing or operations leadership
• experience.
• Experience leading cross-functional technical teams.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, quality systems, and process
• improvement.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Preferred Qualifications
• MBA or advanced technical degree.
• Experience in specialty lubricants, specialty chemicals, industrial process
• manufacturing, or related industries.
• Experience with ISO 9001, ISO 13485, or similar quality management systems.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma experience. Experience commercializing new products and supporting process scale-up.

The Ideal Candidate

• A hands-on leader who enjoys being on the manufacturing floor.
• A strong coach who develops people and builds effective teams.
• Comfortable making data-driven decisions.
• Technically curious with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Organized, practical, and execution-oriented.
• Able to balance daily operational demands with long-term strategic improvements.

Success in This Role

Within the first year, the successful candidate will improve operational efficiency,

strengthen manufacturing processes, maintain exceptional safety and quality

performance, develop the operations team, improve production planning and inventory

accuracy, and help build the operational foundation for the continued growth of the

TriboScience & Engineering division.