Job Description

POSITION OVERVIEW

This position is responsible for ethically managing safe & responsible operations of the manufacturing facility such that the customer receives timely delivery of quality product.  Engage the workforce to improve efficiency, reduce cost and create a culture of continuous improvement.  Leverage the site team and other resources in the company to implement capital projects that improve health, safety & sustainability, address infrastructure needs, reduce cost, support new product development and enable growth and capacity to meet the needs of the business. This position is at the Owensboro Specialty Polymer site in Owensboro, Kentucky and reports directly to the Vice President of Operations for the Chemical Division at Milliken & Company in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The Plant Manager will provide leadership for 8 managers and 26 hourly union employees.  The plant typically operates on a 5-6-day schedule with 24-hour coverage during operation.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Representing the company with the utmost regard for integrity and ethical behavior
Promote a culture of safety and teamwork through associate engagement
Ensure compliance with all local, state and federal environmental requirements while driving improvements in sustainability
Understanding of compliance requirements associated with CFR 1910.119 (Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals)
Maintain timely delivery of products that meet the quality requirements for our customers
Leverage resources to continuously improve all aspects of the operations – safety, sustainability, quality, delivery, cost, efficiency
Establish a Daily Management System to track and report critical operational key performance indicators (KPI’s) and be prepared to review these on occasion with business and division management
Support the strategic plan and objectives of the businesses that the plant serves
Establish processes to scale-up and adopt new products
Administers labor relations in accordance with Company policies and the collective bargaining agreement
Maintains inventories within prescribed limits consistent with short term and seasonal sales demands.
Prepares & maintains records necessary for managing and controlling the operation.
Hires, trains, and releases employees as required to meet sales requirements and within approved budget and standard cost.

Key Experience includes:

Plant leadership of a manufacturing organization, preferably in the chemical industry
Process improvement and engineering
Capital project management
Process Safety Management
Talent acquisition and development

QUALIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

Bachelor of Science or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Chemistry
5+ years of experience leading managers and hourly employees in a chemical or related manufacturing environment
Project management experience in terms of adding new equipment (reactors, systems, etc.) to an existing facility from a capital expenditure budget
Previous experience managing 30+ employees in a manufacturing environment
Knowledge in Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Operational Excellence, Safety and continuous improvement
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, technical procedures and governmental regulations
Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public

QUALIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

Experience working with a unionized workforce
Working knowledge of ISO Quality and Environmental Standard
Working knowledge of OSHA’s Process Safety Management

Experience in the following chemistries and chemical processes would be a plus:

Emulsion Polymerization
Polyurethane chemistry
Batch chemical synthesis