Plant Technical Manager

CRH; Leamington (UT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Disability Pay

Life Insurance

Growth Opportunities and more

Job summary

Ash Grove is seeking a Plant Technical Manager to lead all process technical operations at our cement manufacturing site. You will oversee mining, process, automation, IS/IT/OT, quality control, and capital projects while directing a team to optimize production, reduce costs, and ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations.

The ideal candidate has a minimum 4-year engineering degree and at least 10 years of cement plant technical experience, with strong leadership,

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 year/bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical or Automation Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years cement plant technical experience.
• Strong leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to read, write, and understand safety labels and instructions.
• Proven ability to manage cross-functional teams and capital projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead all process technical operations of the cement manufacturing plant, including mining, process, automation, IS/IT/OT, quality control and capital projects.
• Direct a team to optimize plant efficiency, achieve production targets, reduce costs and maintain product quality while ensuring EH&S compliance.
• Promote safety guidelines and maximize resource utilization while minimizing waste and environmental impact.
• Collaborate with production, maintenance, technical services, sales and engineering to achieve KPIs and strategic plans.
• Develop training programs and materials on SOPs, safety, quality control, and continuous improvement.
• Prepare and manage technical reports, budgets, forecasts, and Five-Year Capital Plan.
• Oversee automation, cyber security, and plant information systems; drive digitalization and AI initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Project management

Operations optimization

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Decision making

Safety and compliance

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

Ash Grove family of companies is one of North America’s leading cement manufacturers, with a legacy of innovation and excellence dating back to 1882. The company operates 12 world-class cement plants and a vast network of 41 terminals across the United States and Canada. Renowned for its forward-thinking approach, Ash Grove combines technical expertise, robust safety standards, and empowered talent to deliver high performance and better serve our customers. At Ash Grove, we stand together to reinvent the way our world is built.

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Disability Pay
• Life Insurance
• Growth Opportunities and more!

Summary

The Plant Technical Manager leads all process technical operations of the cement manufacturing process. This role has direct responsibility for the following disciplines at the cement plant: mining, process, automation engineering and IS / IT / OT engineering, quality control and capital projects management. The role directs a team to optimize the cement manufacturing process through maximizing plant efficiency, achieving production and process targets, reducing manufacturing costs, and maintaining cementitious product quality, while ensuring the team / sites complies with environmental, health, and safety regulations.

What You’ll Be Contributing

• Promote and follow all plant safety guidelines.
• Provide leadership to improve the efficiency and profitability of a cement manufacturing facility by maximizing resource utilization and minimizing waste, while also reducing environmental impact.
• Manage Technical Department team through analysis of the plant’s operational key performance indicator results and ensure that they recommend solutions to maximize plant performance and to implement cost‑effective solutions.
• Collaborate with other departments / functions, such as production and maintenance management, technical services, sales, and engineering, to achieve plant goals, KPIs and long‑term strategic plans.
• Lead in the creation and delivery of training programs and materials on all aspects of the cement manufacturing process, including operational procedures (SOPs), work practices, presentations, safety protocols, quality control measures, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage the development of Technical Department engineering CDPs and interns.
• Perform performance testing and measurements on production equipment.
• Support, implement and contribute to Group Best Practices.
• Manage the team to ensure that the raw materials, processes, and finished products adhere to standards, specifications and customer requirements. Ensure that the cement meets quality standards and industry regulations, manage quality control procedures, and conduct testing.
• Provide leadership for mine planning, encompassing the strategic and operational steps required to efficiently and safely extract stone and minerals from a quarry, ensuring profitability and sustainability while maximizing the life of the plant’s reserves at the lowest possible cost and environmental impact.
• Direct the Technical Department team to prepare and distribute technical reports, budgets, and performance forecasts.
• Direct the Capital Projects Manager to draft and manage the plant’s Five‑Year Capital Plan. Ensure that all plant capital projects are submitted, approved, implemented, and closed upon completion.
• Ensure the Technical Department provides the plant technical support with the purchase of plant equipment where appropriate.
• Manage Automation Engineers with maintaining existing systems and performance along with specifying, installing, and programming new process control systems when required.
• Support the Automation Engineer to implement plant systems consisting of artificial intelligence, advanced process control (APC), automation systems, analytical systems, and digitalization initiatives.
• Direct the IS / IT / OT Engineer to maintain robust cyber security systems to guard the plant operations against malicious cyber‑attacks and to ensure continuity of plant operations.
• Support the plant’s IS / IT / OT Engineer to maintain the plant’s hardware / software systems, present relevant data for diagnosis of plant systems and reporting of plant activities.
• Continuously analyse performance, identify opportunities, and make incremental changes to processes, products, and personnel; constantly seeking ways to improve and refine methods, ultimately aiming for better results.
• Champion CRH / AGC initiatives, such as Critical Plant Review, Sapphire interaction and Task Force programs to maximise the plant’s throughput at the lowest available cost along with best practices being implemented.
• Ensure that the plant’s CO2 roadmap targets are defined and annual goals are accomplished.

To Succeed in This Position

• Minimum 4 year/Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical / Automation Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years cement plant technical experience.
• Ability to read, write, and understand warning labels, instructions, signs, etc.
• Proficient in English written, verbal communication, and listening skills.
• Knowledge of end‑to‑end cement manufacturing operations, including quarry mining, raw material quality control, raw meal preparation, pyroprocessing, milling, and cement dispatch.
• Knowledge of cement plant quality control laboratory methods, testing standards, and analytical equipment used to ensure product quality and regulatory compliance.
• Knowledge of plant capital project management, plant automation systems and plant information systems.
• Understanding of operational efficiency, cost drivers, risk management, and decision‑making within an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to attract, develop, and retain talent while building high‑performing, engaged teams.
• Strong project management skills, including scope definition, scheduling, prioritisation, risk mitigation, and delivery of results on time and within budget.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, enabling effective collaboration across departments, leadership levels, and external stakeholders.
• Skill in cultivating innovation through creative problem‑solving, process improvement initiatives, and implementation of new ideas and technologies.
• Proven ability to manage time and competing priorities effectively in a fast‑paced operational environment.
• Skill in balancing internal operational goals with customer requirements and service expectations.
• Ability to drive results by setting clear goals, monitoring performance metrics, and taking decisive action to achieve operational and business objectives.
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy and detail in operational oversight, quality assurance, and project execution.
• Ability to remain resilient, adaptable, and effective in the face of change, operational challenges, and high‑pressure situations.
• Ability to make sound decisions, address challenges directly, and demonstrate accountability—even in complex or uncertain situations.
• Ability to identify solutions using available resources, think critically, and overcome constraints through practical and innovative approaches.
• Ability and commitment to continuous self‑development and the professional growth of others through coaching, mentoring, and knowledge sharing.

What’s next for you?

We provide stability and advancement opportunities across North America. Use our tuition reimbursement program to help you meet your career goals.

What CRH Offers You

• Highly competitive base pay
• Comprehensive medical, dental and disability benefits programs
• Group retirement savings program
• Health and wellness programs
• An inclusive culture that values opportunity for growth, development, and internal promotion.

About CRH

CRH has a long and proud heritage. We are a collection of hundreds of family businesses, regional companies and large enterprises that together form the CRH family. CRH operates in a decentralized, diversified structure that allows you to work in a small company environment while having the career opportunities of a large international organization.

Equal Opportunity Employment

CRH is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Disclaimer

The above duties and responsibilities are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all inclusive. The physical demands, working environment, and other conditions of employment listed in this document are representative of but are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of the requirements for positions in this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.