Plant Manager
new day executive searchCarrollton (TX)
Plant Manager
Posted today
new day executive searchCarrollton (TX)
General and Operations ManagersAll Other Miscellaneous Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing
SENIORITY
Manager
About the role
Plant Operations Manager An innovative critical materials technology enterprise is seeking an agile, hands-on Plant Operations Manager to lead construction turnover, commissioning, startup, and full commercial ramp-up at its state-of-the-art processing facility. This operational leader will translate patented extraction and separation technologies into a disciplined, high-recovery manufacturing environment. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will hold complete operational accountability for process safety, production output, mass-balance yields, asset reliability, and operational expenditures. Plant Operations Manager Key Responsibilities Facility Commissioning & Ramp-Up: Direct construction handover, equipment commissioning, wet testing, and initial commercial ramp-up in coordination with EPC firms, OEMs, and cross-functional engineering teams. Operational Architecture & Team Building: Recruit, train, and mentor the plant operations team—including supervisors, chemical operators, and technicians—while implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs), shift structures, and management-of-change (MOC) protocols. EHS & Process Safety Leadership: Champion an uncompromised plant floor safety culture, ensuring full compliance with environmental permits, hazardous materials handling, OSHA standards, and rigorous process hazard analyses (PHA).Yield, Mass Balance & Process Optimization: Partner with chemical and R&D engineers to track mass-balance closure, eliminate extraction losses, improve separation purity, and stabilize continuous unit operations. Asset Care & Reliability Strategy: Establish preventative/predictive maintenance frameworks, turnaround schedules, spare-parts inventory, and vendor service contracts to maximize facility availability and eliminate unplanned outages. Supply Chain & Operational Budgeting: Manage chemical reagents, feedstock inputs, finished product inventories, and operational expenditure budgets to maximize operational margins without compromising product specifications. Executive Cadence & Metrics: Direct daily shift handoffs, visualize plant KPIs (availability, throughput, lot yield, OEE), and deliver proactive performance dashboards directly to executive stakeholders. Plant Operations Manager Qualifications & Requirements
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline (equivalent extensive plant leadership background considered).Operational Experience: 7+ years in continuous chemical processing, hydrometallurgy, refining, battery materials, or advanced metals recycling operations, including 3+ years managing direct reports or operating shifts.
Commissioning Acumen: Verifiable background leading greenfield/brownfield commissioning, equipment startup, or rapid operational scale-ups.
Process Systems Knowledge: Strong proficiency with PFDs, P&IDs, automated control systems (DCS/SCADA), hazard evaluations, and structured root-cause analysis (8D, Fishbone, RCA).Operational Presence: Hands-on mindset with an active, visible presence on the operating floor, ready to navigate real-time process upsets and maintenance outages.
Preferred Credentials:
- Hands-on background with solvent extraction (SX), membrane separations, hydrometallurgical leaching, lithium-ion battery recycling, or rare-earth element processing.
- Formal background in process safety management (PSM) involving flammable solvents, acids, or volatile chemistry.
- Experience implementing Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and visual shop-floor management systems in a high-growth scale-up setting.
- Plant Operations Manager Compensation & Benefits
- Highly competitive base salary aligned with experience
- Annual performance bonus incentive
- Equity participation grant
- Relocation package for qualified out-of-market candidates
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and 401(k) benefits
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