What are the responsibilities and job description for the Plant Manager position at Meridian?
Meridian Adhesives Group is a rapidly growing, full service global adhesive solutions provider, specializing in adhesive technologies used in electronics, industrial, and infrastructure applications. Fueled by a series of strategic acquisitions since its formation in 2018, we have established ourselves as an adhesive technology leader for a broad, global, blue-chip customer base comprised of OEMs, distributors, and industrial clients with an expanding global footprint.
Guided by our core values—Safety & Sustainability, Respect, Integrity, Accountability, and Teamwork—we are driven to make a meaningful impact in everything we do. When you join Meridian, you become part of a dynamic team that values diverse perspectives, fosters professional growth, and encourages bold ideas. We’re committed to creating a supportive environment where you can thrive, grow, contribute to groundbreaking projects, and help shape the future of our industry.
Meridian Adhesives Group does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Meridian Adhesives Group, a leading adhesives and specialty materials company, is seeking a Plant Manager to lead the daily operations of their Packaging Adhesive manufacturing facility in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Reporting to the Midwest Regional Operations lead, this role is for a hands-on operations manager with a track record of successfully leading operations in a specialty blending and batch manufacturing environment and driving more efficient operations.
Current operations include batching and packaging activities supporting key Midwest accounts for the Packaging Division within Meridian. These operations are expected to expand in scale, scope, and incorporate additional operations in the future. A strong, flexible leader is needed to both run current operations and drive needed expansion.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Plan, organize, direct, and run optimum day-to-day operations to exceed our customers’ expectations.
- Increase production, assets capacity and flexibility while minimizing unnecessary costs and maintaining current quality standards through adequate relationships with the Quality & Technical departments.
- Directly manage site manufacturing, shipping and receiving, maintenance, planning and scheduling, capital project execution, and overseeing quality indirectly.
- Commit to plant safety procedures. Be a champion for implementing Meridian wide standards through cooperation with other plant managers, Health and Safety Department and Quality.
- Collect and analyze data to find places of waste or overtime.
- Be involved, as requested, with the recruitment, onboarding, and training of high-performing employees to achieve sales, profitability, market share, and business plan objective
- Maintain project timelines to ensure tasks are accomplished on time
- Implement and maintain provided budgetary and resource allocation plan
- Work closely with Division Commercial President from Packaging Divisions to ensure required product supply and quality levels.
- Ensure employees work productively and develop professionally
- Prepare regular reports for upper management
- Provide solutions to issues (e.g. profit decline, employee conflicts, loss of business to competitors)
- Performs other related duties as required
QUALIFICATIONS
- Seven years of related experience required
- Working knowledge of an ERP system, preferably Sage or Process Pro
- Experience in manufacturing and plant environments is required, particularly with batch manufacturing
- Adhesive, coatings, and sealant manufacturing experience highly preferred
- Packaging industry experience highly preferred
- Experience with plant design, build, and startup is a plus
- Ability to motivate supervisors to drive operational excellence
- Demonstrate effectiveness in competencies of initiative, problem-solving, action-orientation, self-starting, critical thinking and teamwork
- Demonstrate strong leadership qualities and the ability to develop employees’ relations and success in promoting a positive workplace culture
- Excellent ability to multi-task and prioritize in a busy, fast-growth environment
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite is essential
- Exhibit extraordinary discretion, flexibility, and willingness to work closely with our senior management
- Relentless focus on safety
EDUCATION CREDENTIALS
- Bachelor’s Degree in business, operations, engineering or related field is preferred
PERSONAL SKILLS & CHARACTERISTICS
- Strong leadership style demonstrated by the establishment and clear communication of expectations for performance and the development of a team of highly competent subordinates
- An entrepreneurial orientation with demonstrated ability to thrive during fast-paced change
- An open, outgoing, and positive personal style characterized by regular communication and involvement at all management levels
- Well organized, capable of establishing and maintaining proper priorities and handling a variety of detailed activities
- A preference for empowering subordinates, delegating authority, and monitoring results
- A team player, willing to put aside personal agendas to further the needs of the organization
- A self-starter who works well without close supervision
- Strong work ethic
