Plant Manager

Socket.dev; Downingtown (Chester County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

AGC Chemicals Americas in Exton, PA is seeking an Operations Manager to lead daily plant operations, ensuring safety, quality, and on-time delivery across production, maintenance, sanitation, receiving, and shipping. You will drive real-time performance, resolve bottlenecks, and coordinate with maintenance to maximize equipment reliability.

The ideal candidate has 7–10 years in manufacturing management, proven leadership, and experience with Lean, Six Sigma, and cross-functional teams within a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Engineering or related field; MBA preferred
• 7–10 years of hands-on manufacturing management experience; union environment preferred
• Proven leadership to coach, develop and engage teams; drive accountability and change
• Experience working cross-functionally in a global organization; self-starter with urgency and ownership

Responsibilities

• Ensures production meets quality and on-time delivery; address flow issues and bottlenecks to maintain schedule
• Builds staffing and capacity plans to meet demand; adjust labor in real time for volume shifts
• Identifies and eliminates inefficiencies to improve productivity and lead time; apply lean practices
• Translates leadership goals into actionable plant plans; drives short and long-term initiatives
• Improves schedule attainment, inventory accuracy, labor productivity, OEE, and waste reduction
• Leads projects to meet plant and company objectives

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Coaching and development

Communication skills

Self-starter

Urgency and ownership

Change management

High energy

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MBA

Job description

AGC Chemicals Americas (AGCCA) is a global subsidiary of AGC Inc., a multinational corporation and one of the world’s largest manufacturers of glass, electronic displays, and chemical products. Headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania, including a state-of-the-art technology center, AGC Chemicals Americas maintains manufacturing operations in nearby Thorndale, Pennsylvania, a satellite sales office in Sao Paulo, Brazil and warehouses located throughout North America.

AGCCA provides you with the opportunity to collaborate with great people. As part of a global company, you will gain important international perspective and will be part of a network of thousands of colleagues worldwide while enjoying the small-company environment where you can see the impact of the company's success.

The Operations Manager is responsible for the daily execution and overall performance of all plant operations, ensuring safe, compliant, and cost-effective production across production, maintenance, sanitation, receiving, and shipping. This role drives alignment to schedules, monitors real-time performance, and takes immediate action to resolve issues impacting output, quality, or efficiency, while coordinating closely with maintenance to maintain equipment reliability and minimize downtime. It also manages material flow and inventory to support on-time delivery without excess, while controlling costs related to labor, scrap, and operations. As the primary operational leader, the Operations Manager sets expectations, leads supervisors, enforces accountability, and establishes a disciplined daily operating rhythm, while ensuring clear communication across departments. The role partners with quality to maintain standards and resolve issues quickly, ultimately driving consistent, predictable performance through hands-on leadership and continuous improvement

Essential Functions:

• Ensures production meets customer requirements for quality and on-time delivery; address flow issues and bottlenecks immediately to maintain schedule attainment.
• Builds and executes staffing and capacity plans to meet demand; adjust labor in real time to handle volume shifts or disruptions.
• Identifies and eliminates inefficiencies to improve productivity, lead time, and utilization; implement and sustain lean practices tied to measurable results.
• Translates leadership goals into actionable plant-level plans; drives execution of both short-term priorities and long-term initiatives.
• Identifies gaps and implements solutions to improve schedule attainment, inventory accuracy, labor productivity, OEE, and waste reduction.
• Demonstrates company core competencies through actions and decisions; sets the standard for accountability, urgency, and performance.
• Provides regular, proactive updates on performance, risks, and priorities; aligns teams across operations, support functions, and leadership.
• Clearly communicates new directives and ensures adoption; maintains role clarity, accountability, and coordinates teamwork across the plant.
• Maintains compliance with all safety, environmental, and ISO 14001 standards; leads risk reduction and corrective actions to prevent incidents.
• Builds, coaches, and develops employees to strengthen bench and succession; actively promotes high performers into broader roles.
• Manages labor relations in line with agreements; addresses issues proactively to maintain stability and performance.
• Leads additional projects and initiatives as required to meet plant and company objectives.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Business Management, Engineering, or a related field; Master of Business Administration (MBA) preferred
• Minimum of 7-10 years of hands‑on manufacturing management experience; preferably in a union workforce environment
• Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to coach, develop, and engage individuals and teams; capable of driving accountability and leading change effectively
• Proven ability to work cross‑functionally and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, working within a global organization preferred
• Self-starter with the ability to operate independently and drive results
• High energy level with a strong sense of urgency and ownership
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies preferred

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods.
• Needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access office machinery, accomplish tasks, or travel from one worksite to another.
• Constantly operates a computer, keyboard, copier, printer, and other office productivity machinery.
• No adverse environmental conditions expected.

AGC Chemicals Americas, Inc. is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

This policy applies to all aspects of employment such as hiring, recruiting, and promotion. Hiring decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, and business needs.

Please note: This position does not support immigration sponsorship