Plant Manager - South Carolina

Role Overview We are seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead the development of a new, greenfield industrial facility in South Carolina from site preparation and construction through commissioning, start-up, and steady-state 24/7 operations. This role owns safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people leadership for the site, and will be the single point of accountability for plant performance. What You’ll Do Phase 1: Greenfield Development & Construction Serve as owner’s representative throughout design and build; ensure constructability, operability, safety-in-design, and maintainability are embedded in all decisions. Partner with Engineering, EHS, and Project Management to deliver detailed design, permitting, procurement, construction, and utilities tie‑ins to scope, schedule, and budget. Stand up site controls: site logistics, construction safety plans, lockout/tagout boundaries, contractor management, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC). Build the plant operating model (org structure, roles, training roadmap, shift pattern, SOPs, maintenance strategy, spares strategy) ahead of first equipment arrival. Lead risk registers, HAZOP/LOPA reviews, pre‑startup safety reviews (PSSR), and readiness assessments. Phase 2: Commissioning, Start‑Up & Ramp Lead multi‑disciplinary commissioning plans, FAT/SAT acceptance, and turnover from EPC/vendors to Operations. Establish control room standards, start‑up procedures, and run rules; set initial operating envelopes and centerlines using Hub500 operations in Kingston and Spoke 1 as the initial baseline. Build and run the 24/7 shift organization (operations, maintenance, lab/QA, materials handling) and manage on‑call response. Implement training & certification (operator qualification, LOTO, confined space, powered industrial trucks, first responder/Emergency Response Team). Set up production accounting, quality systems, and CMMS; launch tiered daily management (Tier 1–3), visual KPIs, and escalation protocols. Phase 3: Steady‑State Operations & Optimization Own safety culture and performance (Zero Harm mindset) and ensure regulatory compliance with SC OSHA and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control requirements. Deliver production, yield, quality, and cost targets; manage budget, inventory, utilities, and site services. Drive reliability: preventive/predictive maintenance (PdM), root cause analysis (RCA), and reliability‑centered maintenance (RCM) to maximize OEE. Lead continuous improvement; reduce downtime, waste, and variability; optimize throughput and energy use. Manage supplier performance and logistics for a 24/7 inbound/outbound operation; align with corporate supply chain and commercial teams. Work with Supply Chain Management, Strategic Partnerships and External Customers to optimize the feedstock and offtake and to explore new feedstock opportunities. Represent the site with community, regulators, and company leadership; prepare clear performance reports and action plans. Work with Engineering and Capital Project on future site expansion projects including new Spoke facility and additional Hub 2000 expansions. People Leadership Hire, coach, and develop a high‑performing team; establish a positive, inclusive culture anchored in safety and accountability. Define staffing plans and shift schedules; ensure adequate coverage for a 24‑hour operation (nights, weekends, holidays as needed). Conduct performance management, succession planning, and skills‑matrix development; foster cross‑training and advancement. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) TRIR/LTIR and leading safety indicators Commissioning and start‑up milestones delivered to plan OEE, throughput, yield, and quality conformance Unit cost, energy intensity, and budget adherence Asset reliability (MTBF/MTTR) and planned maintenance compliance Employee engagement, retention, and training completion What You’ll Bring Required 10+ years in industrial/process manufacturing (e.g., chemicals, mining/metals, advanced materials, recycling) with 5+ years in plant leadership. Demonstrated success delivering greenfield/brownfield projects through construction, commissioning, and start‑up into 24/7 operations. Deep knowledge of PSM/OSHA, EHS programs, and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control requirements. Proven people leadership across multi‑shift operations, including union and non‑union environments. Strong command of reliability, maintenance, and production systems (CMMS, LOTO, MOC, PSSR, SOPs, SPC/QA, batch/continuous processes). Financial acumen: budget ownership, cost control, and capex/opex prioritization. Ability to work on‑site and respond to off‑hours events in a continuous operation. Preferred Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, or Electrical) and a diploma or degree in Business; or an equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered. Experience in circular economy, materials recovery, hydrometallurgy/pyrometallurgy, or advanced materials processing, CMRP, Six Sigma/Lean, NFPA/HAZWOPER would be an asset. Work Environment & Schedule On‑site role at the South Carolina plant. This facility operates 24/7/365; availability for off‑shift coverage and on‑call rotation is required. Ability to traverse industrial areas, climb stairs/ladders, and use PPE (respirators, hearing/eye protection) as needed. Travel up to 30% to vendors, other sites, or corporate offices during construction and commissioning. Willing to do international travel to support companies’ growth into Europe and Asia. Why You Will Love Cyclic Materials At Cyclic Materials, we’re dedicated to supporting our workforce on their unique career journey. We offer a competitive compensation package including health and dental coverage, RRSP contributions and a generous paid time off program that lets you recharge. We value diversity and are committed to maintaining a workplace where everyone is respected and recognized for their contributions. The base compensation offered is determined based on the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills, and competencies and considers internal equity. As an Equal Opportunity employer, Cyclic Materials is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all individuals have an opportunity to succeed. If you require accommodation at any stage of the interview process, please email View email address on click.appcast.io. Applicants for employment in the Canada and US must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States or Canada and with Cyclic Materials (i.e., H1‑B visa, F‑1 visa (OPT), TN, L1‑A visa or any other non‑immigrant status). To all applicants, your interest and effort are sincerely appreciated. While we thank everyone for their application, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. #J-18808-Ljbffr