Plant Manager
About The Position
The Plant Manager, HK Research is responsible for leading all aspects of manufacturing operations at the Hickory, North Carolina facility, including safety, production, quality, maintenance, and cost performance. This role provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure efficient, reliable, and compliant plant operations while driving continuous improvement and team development. HK Research is one of IP Corporation's operating companies, and the Hickory site supports customers who depend on consistent product quality and reliable supply. The Plant Manager partners with Supply Chain, Quality, R&D, and Commercial teams to align site performance with business goals.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, or related field required
- 10+ years of experience in manufacturing leadership, preferably within chemical or industrial environments
- Proven leadership experience managing plant operations and cross-functional teams
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, safety standards, and regulatory compliance
- Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets
- Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, hands-on environment
Nice To Haves
- Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.) preferred
Responsibilities
- Lead overall plant operations, ensuring safety, quality, production, and cost objectives are achieved
- Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with business goals
- Drive a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with regulatory and environmental standards
- Lead and develop cross-functional teams, including Production, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering
- Monitor key performance indicators and implement improvements to enhance plant performance
- Oversee production planning and execution to meet customer demand and service expectations
- Manage plant budgets, capital expenditures, and cost control initiatives
- Collaborate with Supply Chain, R&D, and Commercial teams to support business growth
Benefits
- medical
- dental
- vision
- generous PTO
- 401(k) with company match
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
