Plant Manager

Location:

Chicago Ridge

At Sibelco, we advance life through materials.

For over 150 years, we’ve been a trusted leader in sourcing, transforming, and distributing specialty industrial minerals. Our work powers progress across industries as diverse as glass, ceramics, construction, coatings, polymers, and water purification. Beyond our materials, we’re proud of our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and empowering people from all walks of life to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Are We the Perfect Match?

At Sibelco, we believe building a successful career is a two-way journey. We’re looking for individuals who share our values and vision, just as much as you’re seeking a company that aligns with your aspirations. Together, we can shape the future.

About The Company

As a Plant Manager, your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Operational excellence and P&L management for the Plant. Specific duties entail:
• production operations
• process engineering
• environment & safety
• customer relations
• purchasing
• facilities
• quality
• project management
• planning & scheduling
• employee & labor relations
• Meets or exceeds cost, efficiency, utilization, quality, and schedule performance objectives as outlined in the Annual Business Plan. A strong P&L/Business Partner orientation relative to Plant Manager duties is highly desirable as is an understanding Operational impact on financial performance.
• Functions as a “change agent” who can manage integration of new processes, training, systems, and metrics to measure continuous improvement and organizational excellence.
• Collaborates with Environmental, Health and Safety lead to manage and direct all safety and environmental compliance matters (state, local & federal), ensuring the integrity of the business’s operations and the welfare of the employees.
• Evaluates, develops, and improves the overall capabilities and depth of the plant’s technical, operational and managerial resources. This manager must be able to select, train, develop and promote employees in a manner consistent with building a “world class” operation.
• Responsible for building a strong plant operations management team, training and cross training appropriate backups and continuing to develop a collaborative employee environment/culture. Periodically conduct manpower reviews, succession planning and performance reviews of the operations management team, as appropriate.
• Prepares detailed production and cost reduction plans, budgets and program/project plans responding to infrastructure and equipment priorities, capacity, overhead absorption strategies, cost structure, inventory/WIP, capital needs, etc.
• Directs the utilization and application, as appropriate, of manufacturing systems, metrics and controls. Aggressively manages deviations from plan and implements corrective action programs. (Maximize yields and productivity.)
• Maintains excellent communications with internal and external customers, key executives, employees, suppliers, etc. No surprises – “proactive in approach and team oriented”.
• Manages employee relations activities. Creates a positive culture conducive to organizational success, employee growth and retention of staff.
• Responsible for timely and effective employee selection and improvement of employee retention and development.
• Effective development of followership and successful leadership management of employees.
  
  
  

Qualifications And Requirements

Summary of responsibilities, expectations and objectives associated with the Plant Manager assignment.

• Operational excellence and P&L management for the Plant. Specific duties entail:
• production operations
• process engineering
• environment & safety
• customer relations
• purchasing
• facilities
• quality
• project management
• planning & scheduling
• employee & labor relations
• Meets or exceeds cost, efficiency, utilization, quality, and schedule performance objectives as outlined in the Annual Business Plan. A strong P&L/Business Partner orientation relative to Plant Manager duties is highly desirable as is an understanding Operational impact on financial performance.
• Functions as a “change agent” who can manage integration of new processes, training, systems, and metrics to measure continuous improvement and organizational excellence.
• Collaborates with Environmental, Health and Safety lead to manage and direct all safety and environmental compliance matters (state, local & federal), ensuring the integrity of the business’s operations and the welfare of the employees.
• Evaluates, develops, and improves the overall capabilities and depth of the plant’s technical, operational and managerial resources. This manager must be able to select, train, develop and promote employees in a manner consistent with building a “world class” operation.
• Responsible for building a strong plant operations management team, training and cross training appropriate backups and continuing to develop a collaborative employee environment/culture. Periodically conduct manpower reviews, succession planning and performance reviews of the operations management team, as appropriate.
• Prepares detailed production and cost reduction plans, budgets and program/project plans responding to infrastructure and equipment priorities, capacity, overhead absorption strategies, cost structure, inventory/WIP, capital needs, etc.
• Directs the utilization and application, as appropriate, of manufacturing systems, metrics and controls. Aggressively manages deviations from plan and implements corrective action programs. (Maximize yields and productivity.)
• Maintains excellent communications with internal and external customers, key executives, employees, suppliers, etc. No surprises – “proactive in approach and team oriented”.
• Manages employee relations activities. Creates a positive culture conducive to organizational success, employee growth and retention of staff.
• Responsible for timely and effective employee selection and improvement of employee retention and development.
• Effective development of followership and successful leadership management of employees.
  
  
  

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Successfully demonstrated track record of driving operational and cultural improvements for full facility turn around.
• The successful candidate will have eight to ten (8-10) years of operations leadership experience directing several of the following disciplines:
• production operations
• project management
• master scheduling
• supplier relations & purchasing management
• quality
• Environmental compliance
• maintenance
• process engineering
• production control
• equipment & capital
• facilities
• safety & related compliance
• logistics/transportation
• An undergraduate degree in chemical, mechanical, industrial/manufacturing engineering, production technology or operations management is preferred or equivalent experience.
• Skilled leveraging advanced technologies, processes & equipment and systems including process technologies would be ideal. Experience utilizing large, complex equipment is preferred. The ability to improve throughput and quality is imperative.
• Strong technical and engineering background with the capability to help evaluate equipment, re-engineer systems & processes, layouts and flows, automation strategies, etc. Also, proficient to lead the capital equipment assessment, justification, and integration process for the plant.
• Successfully demonstrates a track record of implementing manufacturing improvement programs (lean manufacturing), monitoring and evaluating systems. This candidate must know how to determine the status of activities, identify problems, as well as develop “work around” and corrective action plans quickly.
• The ability to contribute to the development of operating plans and strategic initiatives.
• The ability to contribute to the development of operating plans and strategic initiatives. Experience preparing production plans, new product integration programs, cost reduction strategies, technology & automation plans, etc. Work closely with peers in other professional and corporate functions.
• Successful background working in non-union settings and is comfortable functioning as a “change agent”, building positive employee relations and developing communications programs throughout all organization levels.
• Outstanding communication skills with the ability to make presentations to staff and corporate headquarters executives. Capable of building strong working relationships with peers, subordinates, suppliers, customers, etc.
• Leadership competencies should encompass:
• the ability to build cohesive teams
• high integrity character
• delivering results
• inspiring commitment and accountability
• identify and address critical issues timely and effectively
  
  
  

Required Physical Abilities:

The physical capabilities listed below are essential and constitute bona fide occupational requirements for this position. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to meet these requirements.

Mobility

• Bending
• Standing
• Walking
• Sitting
• Climbing
  
  
  

Articulation

• Lifting/Carrying
• Reaching
• Grasping
• Repetitive Movements
  
  
  

Working Conditions:

• Will be exposed to dusty and noisy conditions periodically
• A mixture of light, moderate and heavy physical activity
• Office Setting/Manufacturing
  
  
  

Shift:

• Dayshift
  
  
  

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Prescription Drug Benefits
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Dependent Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• RRSP
  
  
  

Why Join Us?

Sibelco is more than a workplace—it’s a community that encourages growth, innovation, and collaboration. Here’s what you can look forward to when you join our team:

• Meet Our People: Careers
• Learn About Our Recruitment Process: Learn More
• Discover Our Sustainability Goals: Sibelco priorities
  
  
  

We also welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to providing reasonable adjustments to support you through the selection process.

How To Apply

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter/X and Facebook to learn more about life at Sibelco. Submit your application in the Apply option.

Please note: We do not require agency services as we have a dedicated Global Talent Acquisition Team.