About the role
The Plant Manager is accountable and responsible for the overall leadership, safety, operation, and performance of a rubber and dispersants manufacturing facility. This role ensures "safe operations environment while delivering; the lowest manufacturing cost possible; meeting the product specification with lowest possible product variability; producing the order on time and complete quantities (i.e. "Customer Delight). Included is the responsibility for establishing the budget and goals for the plant and for managing performance against the budget and goals.
The Plant Manager drives operational excellence, develops talent, and aligns plant performance with company objectives according to Arclin's World Class Leadership principles. The position reports to the Director of Manufacturing.
Key Responsibilities
Safety & Environmental Compliance
• Champion a strong safety culture with zero-incident mindset.
• Ensure operations and all activities at the plant are carried out in compliance with Arclin policies and procedures.
• 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, quality, cost, internal controls, HR, and other functions in accordance with Model Plant standards.
• Ensure efficient manufacturing processes for rubber compounds and dispersant products.
• Develop and execute production plans to meet customer demand, quality standards, and 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).
• Drive employee engagement in developing and executing beneficial outcomes, while building the capability of team members.
Quality Management
• Ensure consistent production of high-quality products that meet customer specifications and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance to maintain and improve quality systems (ISO 9001 framework).
• Address customer complaints and implement root cause analysis and corrective actions.
Financial & Business Performance
• Develop and 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, and develop department managers and plant employees.
• Build a high-performance culture focused on results, accountability, engagement, problem solving and 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.
Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field required.
• 10+ years of manufacturing experience, with at least 5 years in an Operations or Plant Management role.
• Strong background in chemical, rubber, polymer, or specialty chemicals manufacturing required.
• Experience with dispersants, additives, compounding, or batch/continuous processing preferred.
