Job Description

Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leader whose focus on materials science delivers tomorrow’s breakthroughs today. From industry-leading molecules to sustainable innovations, Milliken creates products that enhance people’s lives and deliver solutions for its customers and communities. Drawing on thousands of patents and a portfolio with applications across the textile, flooring, chemical and healthcare businesses, the company harnesses a shared sense of integrity and excellence to positively impact the world for generations. Discover more about Milliken’s curious minds and inspired solutions at Milliken.com and on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

POSITION TITLE

Plant Manager – Allen Chemical Plant

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Plant Manager is accountable for building a high-performing organization that delivers safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations. The ideal leader combines strong chemical manufacturing and process safety expertise with people leadership, operational excellence, financial acumen, capital management, and the ability to translate strategy and data into disciplined execution and sustainable business results.

This position is responsible for ethically managing safe and responsible operations of the manufacturing facility such that the customer receives timely delivery of quality products. Engage the workforce to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and create a culture of continuous improvement. Leverage the site team and other resources in the company to implement capital projects that improve health, safety & sustainability, address infrastructure needs, reduce costs, support new product development and enable growth and capacity to meet the needs of the business. This position is at the Chemical site in Blacksburg, South Carolina and reports directly to the Vice President of Operations for the Chemical Division at Milliken & Company in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The Plant Manager will provide leadership for approximately 25 managers, including 4 direct reports, and 190 site associates. The plant operates on a 24/7 rotating schedule.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Represent the company with integrity and ethical behavior; lead safe, responsible, reliable, and cost-effective plant operations.
• Build a culture of safety, teamwork, and operational discipline through associate engagement; ensure environmental, regulatory, and Process Safety Management compliance.
• Deliver quality products on time and manage inventory within prescribed limits to meet short-term and seasonal customer demand.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement practices to improve safety, sustainability, quality, productivity, reliability, delivery, and cost.
• Establish and maintain a Daily Management System with clear performance metrics; review results with business and division management and drive corrective action.
• Use data from multiple sources to identify issues, prioritize opportunities, and manage material usage, conversion costs, volume, productivity, and capital to deliver measurable business results.
• Develop and execute capital projects within approved budgets, including new equipment installation; balance production needs with long-term asset reliability, mechanical integrity, capacity, and investment needs.
• Translate business strategy into plant priorities and execution plans; align cross-functional teams around shared objectives and accountability.
• Establish processes to scale up and adopt new products.
• Develop leaders, coach employees, mentor talent, and build organizational capability; establish clear accountability and an engaged, high-performing team.
• Manage hiring, training, and employee separations to meet business requirements within approved budgets and standard costs; administer labor relations in accordance with company policies.
• Prepare and maintain records needed to manage and control plant operations.

QUALIFICATIONS – REQUIRED

Education & Manufacturing Leadership

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, preferably in chemical manufacturing.
• Proven ability to lead managers, technical teams, and hourly employees.

Safety & Process Safety Leadership

• Strong working knowledge of Process Safety Management (PSM) and high-hazard manufacturing.
• Experience with PHAs, PSVs, Mechanical Integrity, and regulatory and safety compliance, including environmental compliance.
• Demonstrated success in establishing a safety-focused culture and strong operational discipline.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Knowledge and practical application of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Daily Management Systems, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated record of sustainable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and cost.

Business & Financial Acumen

• Strong analytical and decision-making skills, including the ability to interpret data from multiple sources and prioritize improvement opportunities.
• Understanding of the financial drivers of plant performance, including material usage, conversion costs, volume, productivity, and capital.
• Demonstrated ability to connect operational performance to measurable business results.

Capital & Asset Management

• Experience developing and executing capital projects, including adding new equipment to an existing facility within a capital expenditure budget.
• Knowledge of asset reliability, mechanical integrity, capacity planning, and capital investment prioritization.

People & Talent Development

• Proven ability to develop leaders, coach employees, mentor talent, and build organizational capability.
• Demonstrated success building engaged teams and establishing clear accountability.

Strategic Execution

• Experience translating business strategy into plant priorities, performance metrics, and execution plans.
• Proven ability to align cross-functional teams and drive disciplined execution.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
• Excellent communication and active listening skills, supported by strong organization and problem-solving abilities.
• This position requires candidates to be eligible to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship for a work visa (e.g., H-1B, TN, etc.).

QUALIFICATIONS - PREFERRED

• Working knowledge of ISO Quality and Environmental Standards
• Knowledge of commonly used Process Control System (e.g. Siemens PCS7, Delta V, etc.)
• 6 Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• Master’s degree in chemical engineering

ADA PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, FREQUENCY, AMOUNT, OR DESCRIPTION

Sitting

Ability to sit down at least

50% of day

Standing

Ability to stand while working at least

50% of day

Moving

Ability to move throughout the plant at least

25% of day

Lifting

Ability to lift to at least 35 lbs. without assistance

10% of day

Ascending/Descending

Ability to walk upstairs or use ladders at some frequency

10% of day

Bending

Ability to bend or stoop

10% of day

Visual Acuity

Visual acuity adequate to perform job duties, including reading information from printed sources and computer screens at least

As Required

Cognitive

Ability to make decisions, reason & understand information

As Required

#LI-AP1

Milliken is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, including but not limited to lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression (including transgender status), ancestry, national origin, citizenship, age physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.