Plant Manager

Rex Materials of Kansas, LLC; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Alkegen is seeking an experienced manufacturing leader to oversee our Columbiana site. You will direct production, maintenance, quality, and shipping, while guiding a cross-functional team in a matrix environment.

The role emphasizes safety, continuous improvement, and cost discipline, with responsibility for strategic growth and capital planning. A strong Lean/Six Sigma background and P&L exposure are essential.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of manufacturing leadership.
• Strong results across multiple KPIs in a complex environment.
• Bachelor’s in Engineering/Operations; Master’s preferred.
• Deep knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and operational excellence systems.
• Strong financial acumen; Prior P&L experience required.
• ISO 9001 systems implementation and compliance experience.
• Demonstrates leadership presence with teams; able to inspire and hold accountability.
• Analytical and data-driven; interprets metrics to drive decisions.
• Balanced strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
• Skill in talent selection, team development, and succession planning.
• Strong business acumen including supply chain, procurement, and financial levers.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and coordinate all manufacturing activities at the Columbiana site.
• Direct and manage operations to run production, maintenance, quality, and shipping efficiently.
• Lead a staff across Production, EHS, Quality, CI, Maintenance & Engineering, Purchasing and Planning.
• Collaborate across functions to drive short-term execution and long-term strategy.
• Improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, and morale through continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Lean

Six Sigma

Financial acumen

P&L experience

Analytics

Change management

Communication

Strategic thinking

Talent development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Operations

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Job Requirements

Why work for us?

Alkegenbrings 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’redelivering 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,Alkegenis uniquely positioned to help customersimpactthe environment in meaningful ways.

Alkegenoffers a range of dynamic career opportunities with globe-spanning reach. From production operators to engineers, technicians to specialists, sales to leadership,we’realways looking for top talent ready to bring their best.Come grow with us!

Job Requirements:

Responsible for leading operational execution and growth strategy for a manufacturing plant. The candidate is expected to perform the listed duties whilst living theAlkegenValues: Be Bold, Move Fast; Passion; andGrow.

Responsibilities:

This role will plan, direct, and coordinate all manufacturing activities in ourColumbiana site.

Direct and manage plant operations to run production, maintenance, quality, and shipping and receiving inan optimummanner to exceed customer expectations.

Manage manufacturing staff, typically of 6-12 direct reports, acrossProduction,EHS, Quality, Continuous Improvement, Maintenance & Engineering, Purchasing and Planning.

In the matrix structure, collaborate across cross-functional leadership team with Operations Staff, Supply Chain, Sales & Marketing, R&D,HRand Finance to drive short-term execution and long-term strategy to meet business plan commitments.

Drive improvements in safety, quality, delivery, productivity,costand morale while ensuring continuous improvement, talentdevelopmentand innovation execution.

Drive growth through R&D collaboration on product development and line trials, proposing/evaluating M&A opportunities, enhancing process and people technical capabilities within a site,optimizingoperations to improve financial growth and create capacity.

Develop plans, and budgets to meet financial goals, develop systems, metrics, and processes to track andoptimizeproductivity and performance targets to ensure effective return on assets, and report out weekly and monthly.

Implement cost effective systems of control over capital, operating expenditures,manpower, wages, and salaries.

Manage capital asset maintenance. Control and minimizelaborovertime and repair expenses.Variabilizelaborasrequiredto meet demand from customers while still achieving financial expectations to budget.

Maintainexisting plant facilities and equipment; replace or adjust plant facilities and equipment when necessary.

Provide direction, training and development, and leadership to plant personnel toaccomplishthe company goals andobjectives.

Incorporate 5-S shop floor organization and plant cleanliness among plant personnel.

Champion safety, health, and environmental issues.

Maintain good working Union/management relationships, including leadinglabormanagement meetings andparticipatingin grievance resolutions.

Perform other duties or special projects asrequiredor as assigned.

Remain in compliance with facility ISO, IATF, and/or TS standards and all HSE guidelines.

Must adhere to all company and location policies and safety rules

Must be able to work extended hours whenrequired

Some travel asrequired

All other duties as assigned

• - 10+ years of manufacturing leadership, including large-scale operations management
• - Strong record of delivering results across multiple key performance indicators in a complex or matrixed environment
• - Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, or related field; Master’s preferred
• - Deep knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and operational excellence systems
• - Strong financial acumen, able to see cause and effect between operational decisions and financial outcomes; solid understanding of the impact of operating metrics on income statement, and cash flow. Prior P&L experience is required
• - Experience with ISO 9001 systems implementation and compliance.
• - Demonstrates strong leadership presence with the ability to inspire, engage, and hold teams accountable.
• - Highly analytical and data-driven; able to interpret metrics and results and drive fact-based decision-making.
• - Comfortable operating in fast-paced, complex environments with competing priorities.
• - Demonstrates an ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
• - Skilled in talent selection, team development, and succession planning.
• - Strong business acumen, including understanding of supply chain, procurement, and financial levers in manufacturing.
• - A results-oriented management style; able to create a clear expectation and accountability system throughout the plant; proven change management skills
• - Demonstrates sophisticated communication skills (oral, written and presentation), able to effectively interact with all levels of the plant and wider Alkegen enterprise

AtAlkegen, we strive every day to help people - ALL PEOPLE - breathe easier, live greener and go further than ever before. We believe that diversity and inclusion are 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.

Employmentselectionand 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