Plant Manager

Avient•Avon Lake, OH

11d

About The Position

The Plant Manager is responsible for all aspects of operations at an assigned manufacturing plant, including safety, production, quality, engineering, maintenance, warehousing, and people. The role plans, directs, and coordinates work activities and resources to optimize manufacturing performance and achieve plant, business, and company objectives. The ideal candidate takes a hands-on approach to plant management, implements best practices, develops a high-performing team, and fosters continuous improvement in safety, service, quality, cost, and people. The position leads plant sustainability efforts in support of Avient’s 2030 goals to reduce landfill waste and energy consumption. It develops plant operating and capital plans aligned with business strategy, manages budgets and KPIs, leads improvement initiatives, and represents Avient with community organizations, regulatory agencies, and emergency response services. The Plant Manager provides leadership and visibility across a multi-shift operation and may need to work a flexible schedule. The role regularly requires standing, using hands to handle or feel objects, and reaching; frequently requires walking; and occasionally requires stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, talking, or hearing. The employee may occasionally lift or move up to 55 pounds and may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, toxic or caustic chemicals, fumes, or airborne particles. Noise levels range from normal office noise to loud manufacturing environments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or a related technical discipline.
At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in a manufacturing facility.
At least 5 years of manufacturing leadership experience managing 25 or more employees in a multi-shift operation with budgetary responsibility.
Proven leadership skills and ability to establish a strong operational culture and drive change.
Hands-on people leadership; ability to lead by example, build high-performing teams, promote urgency, and reinforce individual accountability.
Demonstrated ability to motivate others, develop employees, and encourage talent.
Thorough knowledge of manufacturing operations.
Ability to balance collaboration with decisive action and make timely decisions amid ambiguity or uncertainty.
Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to work effectively with employees at all organizational levels, customers, and suppliers.
Knowledge of current safety, health, and environmental regulations and standards.
Ability to work a flexible schedule to maintain visibility and leadership across multiple shifts.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in operations management, engineering, or a related field.
Formal Lean and Six Sigma training, with demonstrated successful implementation in a manufacturing environment.
OSHA certification or training.
Extrusion and/or molding experience.

Responsibilities

Ensure plant compliance with safety, health, and environmental regulations and requirements; provide resources to meet performance goals and sustain a prevention-focused safety culture.
Build a collaborative culture characterized by trust, early escalation, teamwork, open communication, timely decisions, and accountability.
Encourage employee involvement, innovative thinking, customer focus, and continuous improvement.
Lead plant sustainability efforts supporting Avient’s 2030 landfill waste and energy-consumption reduction goals.
Meet plant objectives and production schedules while maintaining product standards that exceed customer expectations.
Maintain product quality, equipment reliability, and production performance standards, using cost-effective technology to maximize production.
Drive lean initiatives and advocate for a continuous improvement culture.
Develop a plant operating plan aligned with and supportive of the annual business plan.
Develop and manage a capital plan that supports business strategy and improves plant operations.
Achieve the annual operating budget and other key performance indicators.
Manage salaried staff and provide direction and guidance to meet plant objectives and targets.
Coach, mentor, and train plant employees; establish career development goals and plans; ensure performance reviews are completed on schedule and in accordance with company requirements.
Implement organizational and operational changes as needed.
Represent Avient in the external community, including local civic groups, regulatory agency coordination, and emergency response services.
Maintain compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.
Provide leadership and visibility across a multi-shift operation, working a flexible schedule as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.