Plant Manager I

Plant Manager

Strategic Materials, Inc (SMI) converts recyclable materials into valuable products, enabling industrial users to achieve increased operational efficiency. SMI materials are utilized to create a wide range of products used in daily life, including: fiberglass insulation, food & beverage containers, reflective materials, and other consumer and industrial products.

With over 40 plants across North America, SMI is the largest glass recycler on the continent and a top ten plastics processor. SMI is the market leader in technological innovation, pioneering the use of cutting-edge processing techniques in each material segment it serves. Through a combination of scale, skill, and flexibility, we consistently meet the evolving demands of our clients across industry and geography.

Established in 1896, SMI has experienced over a century of market changes and has been proven and tested with each passing decade. SMI's deep knowledge of the recycling industry enables the company to consistently maintain a higher standard of quality and efficiency than its competitors. Moreover, our experience continues to inform and sharpen the company's current operations and serves as a solid foundation for future growth.

SMI seeks to hire a Plant Manager candidate who demonstrates strong leadership skills and exceptional business savvy, and who is disciplined and attentive to the "fundamentals" critical to operational excellence, continuous improvement, safety and integrity.

Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

• Operational excellence and P&L management for the Plant. Specific duties entail: production operations, process engineering, environment & safety, customer relations, purchasing - facilities, quality, project management, planning & scheduling, employee & labor relations.
• Meets or exceeds cost, efficiency, utilization, quality, and schedule performance objectives as outlined in the Annual Business Plan. A strong P&L/Business Partner orientation relative to Plant Manager duties is highly desirable as is an understanding Operational impact on financial performance.
• Functions as a "change agent" who can manage integration of new processes, training, systems, and metrics to measure continuous improvement and organizational excellence.
• Collaborates with Environmental, Health and Safety lead to manage and direct all safety and environmental compliance matters (state, local & federal), ensuring the integrity of the business's operations and the welfare of the employees.
• Evaluates, develops, and improves the overall capabilities and depth of the plant's technical, operational and managerial resources. This manager must be able to select, train, develop and promote employees in a manner consistent with building a "world class" operation.
• Responsible for building a strong plant operations management team, training and cross training appropriate backups and continuing to develop a collaborative employee environment/culture. Periodically conduct manpower reviews, succession planning and performance reviews of the operations management team, as appropriate.
• Prepares detailed production and cost reduction plans, budgets and program/project plans responding to infrastructure and equipment priorities, capacity, overhead absorption strategies, cost structure, inventory/WIP, capital needs, etc.
• Directs the utilization and application, as appropriate, of manufacturing systems, metrics and controls. Aggressively manages deviations from plan and implements corrective action programs. (Maximize yields and productivity.)
• Maintains excellent communications with internal and external customers, key executives, employees, suppliers, etc. No surprises – "proactive in approach and team oriented".
• Manages employee relations activities. Creates a positive culture conducive to organizational success, employee growth and retention of staff.
• Responsible for timely and effective employee selection and improvement of employee retention and development.
• Effective development of followership and successful leadership management of employees.

Required Skills:

• Successfully demonstrated track record of driving operational and cultural improvements for full facility turn around.
• The successful candidate will have eight to ten (8-10) years of operations leadership experience directing several of the following disciplines: production operations, project management, master scheduling, supplier relations & purchasing management, quality, environmental compliance - maintenance, process engineering, production control, equipment & capital, facilities, safety & related compliance, logistics /transportation.
• An undergraduate degree in chemical, mechanical, industrial/manufacturing engineering, production technology or operations management is preferred or equivalent experience.
• Skilled leveraging advanced technologies, processes & equipment and systems including process technologies would be ideal. Experience utilizing large, complex equipment is preferred. The ability to improve throughput and quality is imperative.
• Strong technical and engineering background with the capability to help evaluate equipment, re-engineer systems & processes, layouts and flows, automation strategies, etc. Also, proficient to lead the capital equipment assessment, justification, and integration process for the plant.
• Successfully demonstrates a track record of implementing manufacturing improvement programs (lean manufacturing), monitoring and evaluating systems. This candidate must know how to determine the status of activities, identify problems, as well as develop "work around" and corrective action plans quickly.
• The ability to contribute to the development of operating plans and strategic initiatives. Experience preparing production plans, new product integration programs, cost reduction strategies, technology & automation plans, etc. Work closely with peers in other professional and corporate functions.
• Successful background working in non-union settings and is comfortable functioning as a "change agent", building positive employee relations and developing communications programs throughout all organization levels.
• Outstanding communication skills with the ability to make presentations to staff and corporate headquarters executives. Capable of building strong working relationships with peers, subordinates, suppliers, customers, etc.
• Leadership competencies should encompass: the ability to build cohesive teams, high integrity character, delivering results, inspiring commitment and accountability, identify and address critical issues timely and effectively.

Work Environment:

The work environment described below represents the characteristics an employee will experience while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The job requires exposure to the following conditions:

• Required to be exposed to physical environment which involves dirt, odors, noise, weather extremes or similar elements.
• Heights – work at heights above 48 inches may require the wearing of additional safety equipment.
• Dust/Fumes – when required employees must be able to wear respiratory protective equipment and/or participate in medical exams as part of our respiratory protection program. Respiratory protective equipment use may require that face must be clean shaven.
• Extreme Heat/Cold – most operational areas are not heated or cooled.
• Rain/Snow – work surfaces may become slippery, appropriate work shoes are required.
• Uneven Terrain – employees may be required to walk on surfaces where materials are accumulated, appropriate work shoes are required.
• High Noise Levels - employees may be required to wear hearing protection and/or complete hearing examinations as part of our hearing conservation program.

Physical Demands: The physical demands listed below are bona fide occupational requirements for this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mobility

• Bending – bending/twisting at the waist will be required for extended periods.
• Standing – standing for extended periods may be required.
• Walking – walking on flat or uneven surfaces, up and down stairs and on grass or gravel will be required.
• Sitting – sitting at certain workstations or in powered industrial vehicles may be required.
• Climbing - will need to climb stairs and climb ladders.

Articulation

• Lifting/Carrying – lifting loads up to 50 pounds may be required, assisting in lifting heavy loads with others may be required.
• Reaching – the ability to extend arms fully is required.
• Grasping – the ability to close both hands to grasp small objects is required.
• Repetitive Movements – the ability to reach and grasp for extended period is required.