Plant Operations Leader: Lean & Continuous Improvement

MKS Instruments; Rock Hill (SC); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

MKS Atotech in Rock Hill, SC, seeks a Plant Manager to lead safe, compliant, and efficient manufacturing operations across manufacturing, maintenance, warehouse, logistics and supply chain. You will drive Lean and CI, manage costs and budgets, and develop leaders in a matrixed organization.

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will champion risk management, safety and environmental compliance, and partner with Sales, EHS, Quality, and Finance to achieve business objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Operations, or Business
• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience
• Minimum of 5 years managing supervisors and/or functional teams
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, regulatory requirements
• Demonstrated experience leading Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives
• Proven expertise in root cause analysis utilizing 8D, 5 Whys, corrective action systems, and structured problem-solving methodologies
• Experience facilitating Kaizen events and driving measurable operational improvements
• Strong financial, business, and operational acumen

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day plant operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, inventory, and cost objectives.
• Translate regional and business priorities into executable site-level operational plans and drive accountability for results.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, regulatory, and company requirements while championing a culture of zero incidents.
• Lead manufacturing, maintenance, warehouse/logistics, and supply chain execution to meet customer demand and service expectations.
• Manage operating costs, support budgeting and capital planning activities, and identify cost reduction and productivity improvement opportunities.
• Develop and lead supervisors and employees while fostering a high performing, engaged, and accountable workforce.
• Partner effectively with Sales, Customer Service, EHS, Quality, HR, Finance, and other stakeholders within a matrixed organization to achieve business objectives.
• Lead structured root cause investigations utilizing methodologies such as 8D, 5 Whys, and Fishbone analysis and ensure sustainable corrective and preventive actions are implemented.
• Facilitate and lead Kaizen events focused on safety, quality, delivery, inventory, productivity, cost, and waste reduction improvements.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives across the site while utilizing data and visual management systems to improve performance.
• Collaborate with regional and global manufacturing counterparts to share best practices, benchmark performance, and implement common operational excellence initiatives.
• Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance programs to maximize equipment reliability, uptime, and asset performance.
• Travel Requirements: Up to 10 % of Travel is required.

Skills

Leadership experience

Lean Manufacturing

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Operations, or Business

Tools

8D problem solving

Fishbone analysis

Job description

MKS Atotech in Rock Hill, SC, seeks a Plant Manager to lead safe, compliant, and efficient manufacturing operations across manufacturing, maintenance, warehouse, logistics and supply chain. You will drive Lean and CI, manage costs and budgets, and develop leaders in a matrixed organization.

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will champion risk management, safety and environmental compliance, and partner with Sales, EHS, Quality, and Finance to achieve business objectives.