Plant Manager II - SM

Arclin; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Arclin is seeking a Plant Manager to lead a rubber and dispersants manufacturing facility. You will oversee safety, operations, and performance, balancing budget targets with customer satisfaction, quality control, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Expect to drive Lean/Six Sigma programs, manage cross-functional teams, and deliver reliable, cost-effective production while maintaining regulatory compliance and a strong safety culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or closely related field.
• Strong leadership of manufacturing teams in chemical/rubber environments.
• Experience with safety, quality, and process improvement programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead all plant operations including EHS, production, maintenance, and engineering.
• Develop and execute production plans to meet demand, quality, and cost targets.
• Drive continuous improvement through Lean, Six Sigma, or related methodologies.
• Manage budgets and capital expenditures for the plant.
• Coach and develop department managers and teams to higher performance.
• Ensure ISO 9001 quality systems are implemented and followed.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

Operations management

Safety & compliance

Lean/Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

You can find Arclin everywhere. Our technologies make homes and transportation safer, help crops flourish, keep water clean, protect first responders and members of the military, and preserve the purity of essential pharmaceuticals. These vital, everyday products can't fail, and we’re here to give the world an extra layer of performance and peace of mind.
With ~4,000 team members across more than 30 global manufacturing facilities, we operatewith the scale to make a global impact and the agility to solve complex challenges at the molecular level. Rooted in scientific discovery and innovation, Arclin’s materials redefine performance across industries - from Firepoint®’s patented intumescent technologythat helps stall flames and save livesto the iconic Kevlar® and Nomex® brands trustedto protect those who serve,strengthen aerospace and industrial systems, and perform where reliability and safety are top of mind.
As we expand our mission‑critical materials portfolio and shape the next era of performance technologies, we’re looking for people who want to grow, lead, and solve the challenges others can’t. Together, we’ll advance the innovations that keep the world moving. Because at Arclin, our people are truly Vital Beyond Measure.

About the role

The Plant Manager is accountable and responsible for the overall leadership, safety, operation, and performance of a rubber and dispersants manufacturing facility. This role ensures “safe operations environment while delivering; the lowest manufacturing cost possible; meeting the product specification with lowest possible product variability; producing the order on time and complete quantities (i.e. “Customer Delight). Included is the responsibility for establishing the budget and goals for the plant and for managing performance against the budget and goals.

The Plant Manager drives operational excellence, develops talent, and aligns plant performance with company objectives according to Arclin’s World Class Leadership principles. The position reports to the Director of Manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

Safety & Environmental Compliance

• Champion a strong safety culture with zero-incident mindset.
• Ensure operations and all activities at the plant are carried out in compliance with Arclin policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and all applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Oversee safe handling of chemicals, raw materials, and hazardous substances typical in rubber and dispersant manufacturing.
• Ensure incident investigations and corrective actions are complete.

Operational Leadership

• Lead all plant operations including EHS, production, maintenance, engineering, quality, cost, internal controls, HR, and other functions in accordance with Model Plant standards.
• Ensure efficient manufacturing processes for rubber compounds and dispersant products.
• Develop and execute production plans to meet customer demand, quality standards, and cost targets.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as throughput, yield, downtime, and scrap/rework rates.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies).
• Drive employee engagement in developing and executing beneficial outcomes, while building the capability of team members.

Quality Management

• Ensure consistent production of high-quality products that meet customer specifications and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with Quality Assurance to maintain and improve quality systems (ISO 9001 framework).
• Address customer complaints and implement root cause analysis and corrective actions.

Financial & Business Performance

• Develop and manage plant budgets (labor, materials, maintenance, and capital expenditures).
• Optimize cost efficiency without compromising safety or quality.
• Support forecasting, inventory management, and supply chain optimization.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
• Lead, coach, and develop department managers and plant employees.
• Build a high-performance culture focused on results, accountability, engagement, problem solving and continuous learning.
• Support workforce planning, hiring, training, and performance management.

Maintenance & Reliability

• Oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Ensure equipment reliability to minimize downtime and maximize operational efficiency.
• Support capital projects, process upgrades, and new equipment installations.
• Promote Lean manufacturing, waste reduction, and process optimization.
• Identify and implement automation or process improvements specific to chemical/rubber production systems.
• Support new product introductions and process scalability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field required.
• 10+ years of manufacturing experience, with at least 5 years in an Operations or Plant Management role.
• Strong background in chemical, rubber, polymer, or specialty chemicals manufacturing required.
• Experience with dispersants, additives, compounding, or batch/continuous processing preferred.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelors or better in Engineering or related field.

Experience

10-15 years: Manufacturing Leadership Experience

Equal Opportunity Employer
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.