Assistant Plant Manager

Gopher Resource; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 173,698 - 286,415; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Tuition support

Gym membership discounts

Paid time off (vacation, personal, holidays)

Job summary

A leading resource recovery company is seeking an Assistant Plant Manager in Tampa, FL, to provide operational leadership. The successful candidate will lead performance improvement initiatives, manage operational KPIs, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Operations Management and at least 3 years of experience in managing manufacturing operations. This role offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years managing engineers or operations supervisors in manufacturing.
• Experience leading production and maintenance teams.
• Proven ability to deliver measurable results on cross-functional initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant-wide performance improvement initiatives focused on cost and uptime.
• Manage key operational KPIs for consistent tracking and analysis.
• Ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Decision-making

Project management

Technical proficiency with maintenance software

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Operations Management

Tools

CMMS

Wonderware

Pi

Job description

Position Overview

The Assistant Plant Manager provides senior operational leadership to our Tampa facility. This role strengthens day‑to‑day operational performance, asset reliability and drives cross‑functional improvement initiatives in EHS, quality and training. The position reports directly in the Vice President of Tampa Operations.

Responsibilities

Operational Excellence

• Lead plant‑wide performance improvement initiatives focused on throughput, uptime and cost per ton.
• Own and manage key operational KPIs, ensuring consistent tracking, analysis, and corrective action.
• Drive standardization of processes, procedures, and operating practices across departments.

Maintenance & Reliability Leadership

• Provide direct leadership to the site maintenance team.
• Support capital planning and asset‑management strategies and processes.

Quality, Training & Operational Capability

• Lead the Training & Development function to ensure operators and supervisors have the skills needed for safe, consistent, high‑quality production.
• Strengthen process discipline through improved onboarding, certification, and refresher training programs.
• Support root‑cause investigations and corrective actions for EHS, customer complaints or quality deviations.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Partner with Safety and Environmental leaders to ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Support audits, inspections, corrective actions, and continuous improvement in risk‑reduction practices.
• Reinforce operational controls and adherence to standard operating procedures.

Strategic Projects & Modernization

• Lead and execute high‑impact strategic initiatives as assigned
• Provide project leadership, cross‑functional coordination, and measurable results.
• Serve as the primary escalation point when the Plant Manager/VP of Operations is unavailable.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field from an accredited College or University
• At least 3 years of previous work experience managing engineers or operations supervisors within a manufacturing operations environment
• Previous experience leading production and/or maintenance teams
• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional initiatives and deliver measurable results
• Excellent problem‑solving, communication, and decision‑making skills
• Previous experience supporting capital projects or modernization initiatives
• Previous experience with driving safety/environmental performance improvement
• Strong project and program management skills
• Highly motivated and self‑directed; ability to work well under pressure, manage and prioritize multiple tasks concurrently, attend to details, and meet deadlines
• Technical proficiency with PC and maintenance/operational software applications (e.g. CMMS, Wonderware, Pi, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working in a chemical manufacturing or heavy industrial manufacturing setting strongly preferred, but not required
• Previous experience with reliability, operations discipline, and continuous improvement preferred, but not required
• Lean/Six Sigma certifications preferred, but not required

Physical Requirements

• Willingness and ability to wear a full‑face respirator mask directly against skin (e.g. clean shaven if applicable), work in a hot/high temperature production facility, and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in designated areas with or without reasonable accommodation
• Willingness and ability to comply with safety protocols and company‑provided decontamination measures which include utilizing private shower facilities upon leaving the plant environment with or without reasonable accommodation

Compensation Information

Salary Range: $173,698 to $286,415. This position is also eligible for a short‑term incentive plan which is determined by the achievement of strategic objectives. The market rate for the role is typically at the midpoint of the salary range; however, variations in final salary are determined by additional factors such as candidate qualifications, relevant years of experience, geographic location, internal pay equity, and prevailing market conditions for the specific role.

Benefits

Gopher Resource is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package that promotes the health, wellness, and financial security of our employees. List of benefit offerings include medical & pharmacy, dental, vision, health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), dependent care spending account, life insurance, disability programs, telemedicine, parental leave, tuition support, legal insurance, identity theft protection, gym membership discounts, EAP, 401(k) with a company match, and paid time off (vacation, personal, bereavement, holidays).

Equal Opportunity Statement

Gopher Resource is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.