Plant Manager

Job Title: Plant Manager – Chemical Manufacturing

Location: Sandusky, Ohio

Department: Operations / Manufacturing

Reports To: Vice President

Employment Type: Full-Time

We are working with our client, American Colors, in seeking an experienced and highly motivated Plant Manager to lead operations at our chemical manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for overseeing production, ensuring compliance with strict safety and environmental standards, and driving operational excellence. The Plant Manager will manage cross-functional teams, optimize processes, and lead initiatives that support productivity, sustainability, and continuous improvement within a regulated environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead day-to-day plant operations including production, safety, and shipping and receiving while working with maintenance and quality managers to ensure goals for output, cost, quality, and compliance are consistently met.
• Maintain a strong culture of safety and ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and other relevant federal, state, and local environmental and safety regulations.
• Direct and supervise plant personnel, including hiring, training, performance evaluations, and team development.
• Develop and implement plant policies, procedures, and best practices aligned with chemical manufacturing standards.  Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) related to production eAiciency, yield, downtime, and waste reduction.
• Oversee preventative and predictive maintenance strategies to maximize equipment uptime and performance.
• Collaborate with R&D, EHS, procurement, and quality assurance to support new product introduction, process improvements, and customer satisfaction.
• Manage plant budgets, including cost control, capital project planning, and resource allocation.  Ensure proper handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials and chemicals in compliance with regulations.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in chemical manufacturing, with at least 3–5 years in a plant or operations management role.
• Strong knowledge of chemical processing technologies and regulatory requirements (OSHA, EPA, PSM, DOT, NFPA).
• Demonstrated success in leading teams and managing plant operations within a hazardous materials environment.  Experience with ERP/MRP systems and production planning tools.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement systems.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with batch processing systems.
• Knowledge of regulatory audits and documentation.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001 certifications.

Working Conditions:

• On-site role in a chemical manufacturing plant.
• Frequent exposure to chemicals, industrial equipment, and processing environments.
• Must follow all safety protocols, including the use of PPE.
• May require extended hours, weekends, or on-call availability.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary with bonus plan eligibility after 12 months of service
• Comprehensive health, dental, disability, life, and optional vision insurance  401(k) with company match after 12 months of service  Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Paid time oA and holidays
• Opportunities for training, certification, and career advancement with education reimbursement program after 12 months of service

American Colors is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, familial status, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.