Plant Manager

IP Corporation is a privately held, family-owned chemical manufacturing organization with over 70 years of stability, innovation, and growth. Headquartered in Minnesota, IP Corporation supports a portfolio of operating companies—including HK Research—that manufacture and distribute resins, gel coats, composite materials, and specialty polymer solutions for industrial applications worldwide. The company is known for its customer-first mindset, technical expertise, and collaborative culture built on trust and continuous improvement.

About the role

The Plant Manager at HK Research leads all aspects of manufacturing operations at the Hickory, North Carolina facility, including safety, production, quality, maintenance, and cost performance. This role provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure efficient, reliable, and compliant plant operations while driving continuous improvement and team development. The Plant Manager partners with Supply Chain, Quality, R&D, and Commercial teams to align site performance with business goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall plant operations, ensuring safety, quality, production, and cost objectives are achieved.
• Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with business goals.
• Drive a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with regulatory and environmental standards.
• Lead and develop cross-functional teams, including Production, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering.
• Monitor key performance indicators and implement improvements to enhance plant performance.
• Oversee production planning and execution to meet customer demand and service expectations.
• Manage plant budgets, capital expenditures, and cost control initiatives.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, R&D, and Commercial teams to support business growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, or related field required.
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing leadership, preferably within chemical or industrial environments.
• Proven leadership experience managing plant operations and cross-functional teams.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, safety standards, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.) preferred.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.

Benefits

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Generous PTO.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Opportunities for professional growth, leadership development, and long-term career advancement.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.
• Ability to sit, stand, or walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds as needed.
• Ability to travel up to 10% if applicable.