Job Description
A global leader in carbon and graphite materials is seeking an experienced Plant Manager to oversee day-to-day operations at its facility in Sunbury, PA. This is a critical leadership position for a hands-on professional with a strong engineering background and proven experience managing unionized manufacturing operations.
About the Company
With a legacy dating back over 125 years, the company is the world's largest independent processor and merchant of graphite. Today, it is transforming into a modern specialty materials business with an ambitious growth strategy. This position plays a key role in advancing operational performance and supporting long-term expansion goals.
Role Overview
The Plant Manager will lead all aspects of plant operations, including safety, production, quality, maintenance, and compliance. This individual will be responsible for delivering results across key performance indicators, developing frontline leadership, and driving continuous improvement in collaboration with the company's senior leadership team.
This is a highly visible role that requires technical expertise, operational discipline, and strong people leadership. The ideal candidate will have a background in chemical or mechanical engineering and be comfortable managing complex industrial processes in a union environment.
Key Responsibilities
* Direct all plant operations, ensuring performance in safety, quality, productivity, and compliance
* Foster a culture of safety and accountability; lead efforts toward zero-injury workplace
* Oversee and develop departmental managers, providing clear direction and coaching
* Manage plant KPIs and report progress to corporate leadership
* Maintain a strong understanding of plant equipment, materials flow, and processing requirements
* Drive cost-efficiency, resource utilization, and productivity across all shifts
* Ensure compliance with company policies and all regulatory standards (federal, state, local)
* Lead capital improvement projects and coordinate with external contractors
* Align plant operations with broader corporate strategy and customer expectations
* Collaborate with supply chain and other functions to ensure operational readiness and material availability
Candidate Qualifications
Required:
* Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical or Mechanical)
* 7–10 years of plant or operations management experience in manufacturing
* Demonstrated success managing unionized teams in a 24/5 or continuous manufacturing environment
* Strong financial acumen, including budgeting and P&L responsibility
* Proven ability to implement lean manufacturing and continuous improvement practices
* Exceptional communication, leadership, and team development skills
* Willingness to be on-call and respond to operational needs outside of standard hours
:
* Experience with graphite, carbon, or advanced powder-based materials
* Background in high-temperature industrial processing
* Exposure to private equity-backed businesses
* Six Sigma or Lean certification
* Familiarity with S&OP and cross-functional supply chain collaboration
* Experience managing within a small to mid-sized, fast-paced company undergoing transformation
Compensation and Benefits
* Competitive base salary
* Performance-based bonus aligned with EBITDA
* Comprehensive benefits package
Qualified candidates with an engineering degree and a strong track record in plant operations are encouraged to apply. Only applicants who meet the required qualifications will be considered.
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