Plant Manager - Industrial Minerals & Processing

Company Description VANDERBILT MINERALS is a U.S.-based industrial minerals company with mining and manufacturing facilities across several states, including New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Nevada, Arizona, and California. The company produces smectite clays that serve as key ingredients for rheology control, emulsion stabilization, and suspension stabilization in pharmaceutical, personal care, animal care, agricultural, and industrial applications. Its wollastonite, pyrophyllite, and kaolin clay products support a range of industrial uses such as ceramics, coatings, construction, and plastics. VANDERBILT MINERALS also supplies chemical products, including xanthan gum, dispersing agents, and drier stabilizers and accelerators. The organization is committed to high-quality ingredients and expert technical support to help customers achieve reliable performance and long-term success.

Location: Robbins, NC (Piedmont / Uwharrie Region)

Reports To: VP of Operations

Company: Vanterra

About the Opportunity & Location

Are you a hands-on operational leader ready to drive world-class reliability, safety, and continuous improvement in a vital industrial minerals facility? Vanterra is seeking an energetic, results-driven Plant Manager to lead our flagship mining and milling operation in Robbins, NC . This key leadership opportunity is open due to an upcoming retirement , offering a smooth transition to step into a well-established operation with a dedicated team.

Located in the heart of central North Carolina, this role offers an exceptional quality of life with convenient commutes from beautiful, vibrant communities such as Asheboro and the scenic Greenbrier / Uwharrie area. The region is renowned for its outstanding outdoor recreation, world-class golf courses (including close proximity to the historic Pinehurst area), family-friendly living, and easy access to the North Carolina Zoo and state parks—all while remaining within easy reach of the Triangle region.

Position Overview

Reporting directly to the VP of Operations , the Plant Manager serves as the operational leader and driving force behind our Robbins facility. You will own full site leadership across production, property management, exploration, and leases, with a critical focus on championing product quality control, driving total equipment reliability, and instilling a proactive preventive maintenance culture .

Key Responsibilities & Essential Duties

1. Operational Excellence, Quality & Maintenance Leadership (Core Focus)

• Mining & Milling Operations: Direct a 200-ton-per-day mining and dry milling operation utilizing specialized mineral beneficiation techniques to achieve optimal throughput, meet target sales orders, and ensure seamless delivery.
• Rigorous Quality Control: Serve as the chief custodian of product quality, enforcing strict QA/QC standards to ensure all finished mineral products consistently exceed tight technical specifications and customer expectations.
• Maintenance & Reliability Culture: Transform maintenance from reactive to proactive. Drive high plant uptime and equipment integrity through rigorous preventive maintenance protocols, scheduled overhaul planning, and rapid troubleshooting.
• Continuous Improvement & Lean: Champion Lean / Six Sigma methodologies to eliminate waste, streamline workflow efficiency, lower unit processing costs, and foster a culture of continuous operational innovation.

2. EHS, MSHA & Environmental Stewardship

• Safety First Culture & MSHA Compliance: Maintain full operational responsibility for health, safety, and environmental excellence. Ensure flawless compliance with all MSHA regulations, local/state/federal guidelines, and corporate safety policies.
• Permitting & Resource Strategy: Oversee environmental permit management, compliance monitoring, and short- and long-term mine planning to optimize ore reserves and secure sustained production longevity.

3. Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Direct Leadership: Empower, guide, and develop a high-performing site management team, directly supervising:
• Assistant Manager
• Maintenance Supervisor
• Shipping Coordinator
• Mine Supervisor
• Workforce Management: Manage total site staffing, talent recruitment, employee relations, and performance development in alignment with corporate guidelines.

4. Financial Mastery & Strategic Project Management

• Capital Engineering & Upgrades: Initiate, justify, and execute high-impact CapEx proposals for plant modernization, process flow upgrades, debottlenecking, and major equipment overhauls.
• Financial Oversight & Cost Control: Manage site budgets, review capital expenditures, approve vendor/contractor invoices, and analyze variance reports to maximize cost effectiveness.
• Vanterra Business Team: Serve as a key operational leader on the Vanterra Business Team , actively shaping strategic planning, multi-year budgeting, and operational reviews.

5. Stakeholder Engagement & Commercial Alignment

• Executive Communication: Maintain strong alignment with executive leadership through Monthly Operating Reports, Board summaries, and proactive operational updates.
• Customer & Sales Collaboration: Partner closely with corporate sales teams during technical customer site visits, product audits, and business development initiatives.
• Financial Closing Support: Ensure all local operational and administrative data supporting monthly financial closes are completed accurately and on schedule.

Job Specifications & Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Ceramic, Mechanical, Mining, Chemical, or related technical discipline).
• Experience: 5–10+ years of progressive operational leadership experience in industrial mineral processing, mining, or heavy industrial manufacturing.
• Technical Expertise & Skills:
• Demonstrated proficiency in milling, dry processing, and mineral beneficiation .
• Deep working knowledge of MSHA compliance and industrial health & safety frameworks.
• Proven track record implementing Lean / Six Sigma tools and continuous improvement practices.
• Strong expertise in preventive/predictive maintenance strategies and Quality Assurance management .
• Systems & Technology: High proficiency in IFS ERP , Microsoft Office Suite, and modern plant/operational management software.
• Physical & Environmental Requirements:
• Time is divided between an office environment and an active industrial plant/mining site with exposure to dust, machinery, noise, and operational hazards.
• Mandatory Medical & Personal Protective Equipment Requirement: Candidates must have the physical capability and medical clearance to wear and utilize personal respirator protective devices in required plant areas as mandated by OSHA/MSHA regulations.

Compensation & Total Rewards

• Base Salary Range: $135,000 – $155,000 annually (Commensurate with background, engineering credentials, and leadership experience).
• Performance Incentive: Up to 8% annual performance bonus based on site safety (MSHA), maintenance uptime, quality compliance, and financial targets.
• Company Vehicle & Allowance: Fully covered company vehicle, including gas card, vehicle maintenance, and insurance.
• Health & Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with company match; life and disability insurance; paid time off (PTO) and holidays; relocation assistance available.