Korn Ferry has partnered with an industry-leading manufacturer of spray-based adhesives, cleaning products, and specialty chemicals who is seeking a Plant Manager to lead their site in Atlanta. This is a hands-on leadership role ideal for a dynamic and strategic leader with strong manufacturing expertise ideally from within paints/coatings, aerosol and or specialty chemicals. Backed by an in-house lab and product development capabilities, this team is committed to safety, innovation, and delivering market-ready products. The right candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, multi-shift environment and be passionate about driving continuous improvement, safety, and performance across all facets of production.
Responsibilities / role highlights:
- Oversee daily manufacturing across batch/blend, compounding, labeling, maintenance, and shipping/receiving.
- Manage production scheduling, shift coordination, and troubleshooting issues to ensure efficiency and minimal downtime.
- Lead warehouse, shipping, and receiving functions to ensure accurate inventory movement and on-time order fulfillment. Coordinate material flow and logistics for optimal plant performance.
- Manage facility growth, new equipment installations, and process upgrades, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
- Drive lean initiatives and continuous improvement efforts to enhance safety, product quality, and cost-effectiveness. Ensure compliance with internal quality standards and regulatory requirements.
- Lead a high-performing team by overseeing hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management. Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and internal promotion.
- Oversee preventive maintenance programs and ensure production equipment operates at peak efficiency. Partner with maintenance teams to reduce downtime and extend asset life.
- Enforce OSHA, EPA, and hazardous materials regulations. Lead safety meetings, ensure adherence to safety protocols, and maintain a proactive safety culture.
- Manage inventory tracking, reporting, and documentation. Serve as liaison with the corporate office to support administrative, financial, and reporting needs.
- Participate in key plant activities including production line support, customer visits, new product launches, and daily production meetings to ensure alignment and execution.
Background/Skill Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Chemistry or related field desired; equivalent experience in plant leadership role(s) will be considered
- 10+ years of leadership experience in manufacturing, preferably in aerosol or specialty chemical production to include current knowledge of EPA, DOT and OSHA standards.
- Strong background in lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Experience managing multi-shift operations and production expansions.
- In-depth knowledge of safety, compliance, and hazardous material handling.
- Fluent in English and Spanish highly desired.
This is a high-impact opportunity to lead a growing manufacturing team that values innovation, safety, and operational excellence. If you’re a hands-on leader ready to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
