Manufacturing Plant Manager

Plant Manager Frederick, Maryland | Advanced Materials Manufacturing A rapidly growing advanced materials company is seeking a Plant Manager to lead its approximately 30-person manufacturing operation in Frederick, Maryland . This is not a traditional "keep the plant running" assignment. The operation is scaling an innovative manufacturing technology from pilot production toward full commercial capacity. The Plant Manager will inherit a capable workforce and be responsible for bringing greater structure, accountability, operating discipline, training, and consistency to the plant. The right leader will spend significant time on the shop floor, earn the trust of operators and team leads, and establish the systems and culture required to scale the operation. The plant currently employs approximately 30 people and is expected to grow to roughly 40. It operates a continuous manufacturing process across four crews supporting 24/7 operations. Lead from the floor. Build strong relationships across all shifts, listen to operators and team leads, understand problems firsthand, and create a culture of trust, accountability, safety, and execution. Professionalize plant operations. Establish and reinforce SOPs, operating standards, training programs, shift communication, performance expectations, and management routines. Coach and develop production leaders and operators, clarify responsibilities, strengthen accountability, and build bench strength as the operation grows. Improve manufacturing performance. Use production data and disciplined problem solving to improve safety, quality, throughput, cycle time, downtime, yield, and cost. Support process scale-up. Partner closely with engineering, technical teams, maintenance, and equipment suppliers as processes and equipment continue to evolve. The plant will remain an important proving ground for future, much larger manufacturing facilities. Own safe, reliable operations. Maintain strong EHS practices and regulatory compliance while ensuring equipment, maintenance, materials, staffing, and production priorities are aligned. Help create the operating practices, talent, and manufacturing systems that can be replicated as the company expands into larger-scale facilities. We're looking for a hands-on manufacturing leader who combines strong people leadership with operational discipline. Approximately 10+ years of manufacturing experience , including meaningful supervisory or operations leadership responsibility. Experience leading manufacturing operations, production teams, or a significant portion of a plant. Previous Plant Manager title is not required . Strong shop-floor leadership skills and the ability to earn credibility with operators, technicians, and frontline supervisors. Experience implementing or improving SOPs, training, accountability, 5S, continuous improvement, and operating discipline . Experience with continuous or process-oriented manufacturing ; direct wood-products experience is not required. Comfort operating in a smaller, fast-changing company where processes, equipment, and organizational structures are still evolving. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to balance people, production, safety, quality, and business priorities. A bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, business, or a related discipline is preferred. Experience with plant startups, commissioning, scale-up, advanced materials, chemicals, composites, building products, or other process-intensive manufacturing environments would be particularly relevant. The facility operates around the clock, with shift changes at approximately 6:00 a.m. The Plant Manager will normally work an 8–10 hour day but must establish a meaningful presence across shifts and be available when significant operational issues arise. The manufacturing environment is dynamic and continually evolving. Equipment, processes, and products will change as the company learns and scales. Leaders who enjoy building systems rather than inheriting finished ones will thrive here. This is an opportunity to join an innovative advanced-materials company at an important stage in its commercialization. The Frederick operation is expected to serve as the proving ground for significantly larger future manufacturing facilities. The Plant Manager will therefore have an unusual opportunity to influence not only the performance of today's plant, but also how future plants are operated . The company offers a competitive executive-level base salary, comprehensive benefits, relocation assistance where appropriate, and meaningful equity participation . Travel: Limited