Plant Manager IV

Ascent Industries Co.; Cleveland, Northern (TN, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascent Industries Co. in Cleveland, TN is seeking a Plant Manager IV to lead manufacturing operations and strategic initiatives across the plant.

You will drive production planning, safety, cost controls, and quality improvements while guiding senior managers. The role requires deep experience in specialty chemicals, a Bachelor's degree (MBA preferred), and the ability to coordinate cross-functional teams, optimize processes, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 12 years in manufacturing, preferably chemicals.
• Strong strategic and analytical abilities.
• Ability to lead multiple teams and manage change.
• MBA preferred.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Direct plant operations to meet productivity, quality, cost, waste, and safety targets.
• Set functional strategies and performance targets for production.
• Develop policies and standards to improve efficiency and compliance.
• Plan production capacity, staffing, maintenance, and turnarounds.
• Monitor performance with metrics and drive improvements.
• Collaborate with finance, engineering, materials, and HR.
• Advise senior leadership on risks and opportunities.
• Lead or support labor relations with union leadership.
• Ensure OSHA compliance and safety culture.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Manufacturing operations

Budgeting & cost control

Regulatory compliance

Safety management

Cross-functional collaboration

Labor relations

Education

Bachelor's degree

MBA preferred

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Full Time Management Director Cleveland, TN, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1304

Ascent Industries Co. is a specialty chemicals platform delivering differentiated, performance-driven chemical solutions to a diverse set of end markets. The Company develops, manufactures, and supplies tailored formulations and intermediates that enhance product performance and optimize industrial processes. The Company's core product portfolio includes surfactants, defoamers, lubricating agents, flame retardants, and specialty intermediates, offered in both petroleum-based and bio-based formulations. Ascent's products are used as critical ingredients and process aids in applications such as cleaning formulations, coating systems, oilfield production chemicals, agrochemical formulations, metalworking fluids, water treatment solutions, and industrial textiles.

The Plant Manager IV applies advanced Manufacturing & Production Operations knowledge across functions to guide strategy execution. The role directs resolution of complex business challenges using analytical judgment. Work has a major impact on functional outcomes and strategic initiatives. The position leads through senior managers and is accountable for leadership and departmental development. The role executes business plans and contributes to strategic direction.

Key Responsibilities:

• Directs plant or production operations across assigned areas to ensure productivity, quality, cost, waste, and safety outcomes align with business objectives and operating requirements.
• Establishes functional strategies, operating priorities, and performance targets that guide production execution and support broader manufacturing and plant goals.
• Oversees the development and implementation of plant policies, procedures, and operating standards that improve efficiency, strengthen quality performance, and maintain regulatory compliance.
• Leads enterprise-level planning for production capacity, staffing, maintenance, turnarounds, and resource utilization to support reliable output and long‑term operational performance.
• Monitors plant performance through operational metrics and trend analysis to identify risks, set improvement priorities, and drive execution against production targets.
• Drives continuous improvement initiatives focused on manufacturing practices, workflow optimization, waste reduction, and sustainable gains in productivity and cost efficiency.
• Collaborates with finance, engineering, materials, quality, human resources, and other functional leaders to align plant operations with business needs, capital priorities, and workforce requirements.
• Advises senior leadership on plant performance, operational risks, labor considerations, and improvement opportunities that affect business continuity and manufacturing results.
• Oversees plant safety, security, inspection, audit, and training programs to ensure compliance with OSHA and other regulatory requirements and to reinforce a safe operating culture.
• Leads or supports labor relations activities, including coordination with union leadership and management stakeholders, to address operational issues and maintain productive workforce relationships.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 12 years of relevant professional experience required. Experience in specialty chemicals, manufacturing, or related industry may be required depending on the role.
• Requires a Bachelor's Degree.
• Ability to coordinate and oversee team activities with a high degree of autonomy, applying broad functional knowledge to guide execution of departmental operations and strategic initiatives.
• Ability to resolve highly complex and unusual operational and organizational issues using advanced judgment and analytical insight; directs problem resolution across teams and escalates only the most critical enterprise matters as appropriate.
• Ability to implement and adapt standardized procedures and practices; drives alignment, consistency, and execution of functional priorities and business plans across multiple teams or areas.
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively, influencing stakeholders, facilitating high‑level discussions, and driving alignment on priorities and strategic direction.
• Ability to lead through senior managers, overseeing performance, talent development, and resource allocation while ensuring achievement of functional objectives.
• Ability to contribute to and execute departmental strategy, aligning team efforts with organizational goals and leading cross‑functional collaboration to achieve business outcomes.
• Master's Degree/MBA preferred.

EEO:

Ascent is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We are committed to maintaining a workplace that is free from discrimination and harassment and to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and sincerely held religious beliefs, as required by applicable law.

Employment decisions are based on qualifications, skills, experience, business needs, and other legitimate job‑related criteria.