Senior Plant Operations Leader — Lean, Safety & IR

Smart4 Sciences; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Smart4Sciences seeks a Senior Plant Manager to oversee operations across two manufacturing facilities in Barberton, Ohio, driving safety, quality and continuous improvement. You will lead large teams, manage union relations, and ensure both sites meet customer and financial objectives.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Operations Management with 10+ years of plant leadership experience, including unionised workforce management and ISO 9000 compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management or related field.
• 10+ years of plant/manufacturing operations leadership.
• Experience managing a unionised workforce and collective bargaining.
• Hands-on leadership across production, maintenance, quality and logistics.
• Strong knowledge of OSHA PSM and environmental compliance.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and continuous improvement.
• Desirable experience in specialty materials, polymers, coatings, membranes or engineered sheet products.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations across production, maintenance, quality and logistics.
• Drive safety, quality, delivery and cost objectives.
• Lead and develop large plant teams with accountability and high performance.
• Maintain effective labour relations and oversee unionised workforce.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA PSM and environmental regulations.
• Implement Lean, Six Sigma and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor throughput, OEE, scrap and downtime to boost productivity.
• Align production schedules with customer requirements for on-time delivery.
• Foster strong customer relationships through reliable quality and delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Strategic planning

Change management

Team development

Safety leadership

Continuous improvement

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Operations Management

Tools

ISO 9000 quality system

OSHA PSM compliance

Job description

Smart4Sciences seeks a Senior Plant Manager to oversee operations across two manufacturing facilities in Barberton, Ohio, driving safety, quality and continuous improvement. You will lead large teams, manage union relations, and ensure both sites meet customer and financial objectives.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Operations Management with 10+ years of plant leadership experience, including unionised workforce management and ISO 9000 compliance.