Plant Manager

Southern Felt Company, Inc; North Augusta (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Alkegen in North Augusta, SC is seeking a transformational Plant Manager to lead daily manufacturing operations, champion efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

You will drive continuous improvement, implement lean, Six Sigma, and cost controls, and manage an engaged workforce through coaching and mentorship.

This leadership role requires strategic vision, P&L awareness, and collaboration with Commercial and R&D to deliver quality products on time while reducing variability and costs.

Qualifications

• Education: degree in engineering or related technical field preferred.
• 10+ years leadership in manufacturing with 5+ years in senior plant leadership and large-scale transformations.
• Strong financial acumen with P&L, budgets, cost control and capital expenditures.
• Expertise in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and operational excellence.
• Experience in process engineering, automation, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead all plant operations, ensuring accountability, efficiency, and high performance.
• Implement and oversee a comprehensive health, safety, and environmental management program.
• Ensure compliance with accredited quality management systems and product quality.
• Define and drive the plant's vision and strategy with continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and execute an annual business plan aligned with company goals and financial targets.
• Establish and monitor systems to minimize costs while improving quality and reducing variability.
• Champion change management and lead teams through transitions.
• Establish clear roles and accountability across all levels and address performance gaps.
• Build and develop a high-performing team through training, coaching, and mentorship.
• Drive continuous improvement to enhance safety, quality, productivity, delivery and cost-effectiveness.
• Optimize manufacturing processes to reduce costs and improve product quality.
• Oversee facility protection, fire protection, emergency preparedness, and asset management.
• Utilize lean principles to identify and execute process improvements.
• Collaborate with Commercial and R&D on new product development and process enhancements.
• Foster an accountability culture with open feedback at all levels.
• Ensure talent acquisition and development programs are in place.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Change management

Financial acumen

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

Operational excellence

Communication

Team development

Decision-making

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Automation

Job description

Job Requirements

Why work for us? Alkegen brings together two of the world’s leading specialty materials companies to create one new, innovation-driven leader focused on battery technologies, filtration media, and specialty insulation and sealing materials. Through global reach and breakthrough inventions, we’re delivering products that enable the world to breathe easier, live greener, and go further than ever before. With over 60 manufacturing facilities with a global workforce of over 9,000 of the industry’s most experienced talent, including insulation and filtration experts, Alkegen is uniquely positioned to help customers impact the environment in meaningful ways. Alkegen offers a range of dynamic career opportunities with globe-spanning reach. From production operators to engineers, technicians to specialists, sales to leadership, we’re always looking for top talent ready to bring their best. Come grow with us!

Position Overview

We are looking for a transformational leader to spearhead operational changes and lead our plant through a new era of efficiency, innovation, and workforce engagement. The Plant Manager will be responsible for overseeing all daily manufacturing operations while championing process improvements, implementing best-in-class manufacturing practices, and fostering a high-performance team culture. This role requires a strategic and hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, embraces challenges, and can successfully implement change-management initiatives to elevate our plant’s productivity, safety, and long-term sustainability.

Responsibilities

The Plant Manager will oversee all operational aspects of the facility, ensuring efficiency, safety, and quality while driving continuous improvement.

• Lead all plant operations, ensuring accountability, efficiency, and high performance.
• Implement and oversee a comprehensive health, safety, and environmental management program.
• Ensure compliance with accredited quality management systems, consistently meeting customer expectations for product quality and supply.
• Define and drive the plant’s vision and strategy, focusing on continuous improvement to support business growth.
• Develop and execute an annual business plan aligned with company objectives, including achievement of financial and operational goals.
• Establish and maintain systems to monitor and minimise costs while improving quality and reducing variability in manufacturing.
• Champion change management initiatives, effectively leading individuals and teams through transitions.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability across all functional levels, addressing performance gaps proactively.
• Build and develop a high-performing team through training, coaching, and mentorship programs.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, productivity, delivery and cost-effectiveness.
• Optimise manufacturing processes to reduce costs, improve product quality, and enhance overall efficiency.
• Oversee facility protection, including fire protection, emergency preparedness, loss control, and asset management.
• Utilise lean principles and hands-on leadership to identify, prioritize, and execute process improvement projects.
• Collaborate with Commercial and R&D teams on new product development, introduction, and process enhancements.
• Foster a culture of accountability with open and honest feedback at all organisational levels.
• Ensure talent acquisition, training, and development programs are in place, regularly coaching direct reports.

Requirements

• Education: A degree in engineering or a related technical field is preferred.
• Experience & Skills: 10+ years of leadership experience in manufacturing, with at least 5 years in a senior plant leadership role. Proven track record in large-scale transformations and cultural change initiatives. Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to develop and motivate high-performing teams. Strong financial acumen with experience managing P&L, budgets, cost control, and capital expenditures. Expertise in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and operational excellence methodologies. Experience in process engineering, automation, and continuous improvement. Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills in a complex, fast-paced environment. A background in technical textiles, advanced materials and automotive / aerospace is preferred.

Key Competencies

• Inspirational leadership with a commitment to integrity, accountability, and high ethical standards.
• Results-driven management style with a strong ability to implement change and drive performance.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging with all levels of the organization and external stakeholders.
• Experience in developing leaders and fostering a culture focused on safety, quality, and operational excellence.

We believe that diversity and inclusion is central to this mission and to our impact. Our diverse and inclusive culture drives our growth & innovation and we nurture it by actively embracing our differences and using our varied perspectives to solve the complex challenges facing our changing and diverse world.

Employment selection and related decisions are made without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, nation of origin, religion, color, gender identity and expression, age, disability, education, opinions, culture, languages spoken, veteran’s status, or any other protected class.

Alkegen is a specialty materials leader serving mission-critical systems that the world is focused on for the future, including: battery technologies, electric vehicles, filtration media, and specialty insulation materials that enable customers to reduce fossil fuel consumption, save energy, and live greener.

We help people breathe easier, live greener, and go further than ever before. Our experience speaks for itself. We are a vertically integrated manufacturer with the global reach and talent to solve your most demanding applications. With 60 manufacturing facilities and 9,000+ highly skilled employees located around the world, we can solve any challenge. Dedicated to sustainability and human health, we are uniquely positioned to help customers impact the environment in meaningful ways.