Plant Manager
Location: Central Kentucky
Title: Plant Manager
About the Company:
Our client is a long-standing manufacturing organization with operations across North America, serving a variety of industrial end markets. The company is investing in its operational footprint and is confidentially seeking strong plant leadership talent for one of its key facilities in Central Kentucky.
Role Summary
This Plant Manager role will lead a high-visibility manufacturing operation with a strong emphasis on safety, quality, process discipline, employee engagement, and KPI-driven performance. This leader will oversee daily plant operations, drive continuous improvement, build and develop teams, and ensure world-class EH&S performance while producing high-quality products.
We are seeking candidates with true plant leadership experience who are passionate about elevating culture, safety, quality, and operational rigor.
Core Responsibilities
Safety, Health, Environment & Security
-
Champion a strong SH&E culture and ensure full compliance with regulatory and company standards.
-
Coach teams on safe work practices and accountability.
-
Investigate incidents, drive corrective actions, and mitigate hazards.
-
Conduct equipment, facility, and SH&E inspections; ensure accurate recordkeeping.
-
Lead SH&E initiatives, toolbox talks, emergency planning, and Core Procedure adherence.
Operations Leadership & Performance Management
-
Oversee all daily plant operations including production, quality, maintenance, warehousing, and workforce planning.
-
Manage KPIs spanning safety, quality, throughput, efficiency, cost, OEE, and on-time delivery.
-
Ensure raw material management, inventory accuracy, labeling, documentation, and dispatch efficiency.
-
Lead production scheduling, resource allocation, capacity optimization, and cost control.
People Leadership & Culture Building
-
Build, mentor, and develop plant teams; ensure high accountability and engagement.
-
Conduct performance reviews, coaching, talent development, and succession planning.
Operational Efficiency & Continuous Improvement
-
Lead 5S, Lean, and process standardization initiatives to strengthen operational discipline.
Requirements
-
Prior Plant Manager or senior operations leadership experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
-
Preferred experience in chemical, resin, polymers, or batch-processing environments.
-
Demonstrated success improving safety, quality, culture, and operational performance.
-
Strong leadership presence—hands-on, visible, and engaged.
-
Experience with 5S, Lean, or continuous improvement programs.
-
Ability to lead teams of 20–100+ employees.
-
Strong mechanical aptitude and comfort with plant equipment.
-
BA/BS degree preferred (Engineering, Manufacturing, Business).
Apply here if you are interested, and qualified. Qualified candidates will be contacted directly for next steps.