Assistant Plant Manager

**BASIC FUNCTION:** ------------------- ### Based at our Superior, Arizona production facility, the Deputy Plant Manager is responsible for supporting the overall leadership, performance, and continuous improvement of the site while directly leading production operations. ### This role serves as the operational partner to the Plant Manager and plays a key role in strengthening day-to-day execution, improving reliability, developing people, and driving operational excellence across a food-grade, pharmaceutical, and industrial mineral manufacturing environment. The position combines hands-on production leadership with broader plant management responsibilities and is designed as a development path toward future plant leadership roles. The USAZ site operates under stringent food safety, quality, environmental, and safety standards including FSSC 22000, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001. **RESPONSIBILITIES:** --------------------- ### Operations Leadership * ### Lead daily production activities to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operations * ### Partner with the Plant Manager to execute site objectives, operational priorities, and continuous improvement plans * ### Coordinate production, maintenance, quality, warehouse, and supply chain activities to achieve production, cost, and service targets * ### Improve operational discipline, shift execution, communication, and accountability across the plant * ### Monitor KPIs and operational performance, identifying opportunities to improve productivity, reliability, and profitability * ### Support the transition from reactive operations toward a more structured, performance-driven operating model * ### Provide leadership presence on the production floor and support off-shift operations as required * ### Act as site operational leader in the absence of the Plant Manager ### Continuous Improvement & Reliability * ### Drive Lean Manufacturing, root cause analysis, problem solving, and continuous improvement initiatives * ### Analyze production, quality, downtime, maintenance, and cost data to identify trends and improvement opportunities * ### Partner with maintenance and technical teams to improve equipment reliability and plant performance * ### Lead or support process optimization, capacity improvement, and operational excellence projects * ### Promote visual management, standard work, performance boards, and daily operational reviews ### People Leadership * ### Develop a culture of accountability, teamwork, engagement, and operational excellence * ### Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, operators, and production personnel * ### Support workforce planning, recruiting, onboarding, succession planning, and employee development initiatives * ### Conduct performance reviews, establish development plans, and provide ongoing coaching and feedback * ### Promote cross-training and the development of future shift leaders and operational talent ### Health, Safety, Environment and Quality * ### Perform all work in compliance with health and safety standards, environmental requirements, and quality systems * ### Champion a strong safety culture focused on hazard identification, risk prevention, and employee engagement * ### Ensure compliance with food safety, pharmaceutical, GMP, and customer quality requirements * ### Support internal and external audits, corrective action programs, and management system compliance * ### Reinforce high standards for housekeeping, documentation, traceability, sanitation, and operational discipline ### Business & Plant Management Support * ### Support budget development and management of operational costs, including labor, maintenance, and consumables * ### Participate in capital project planning, implementation, and commissioning activities * ### Collaborate with regional and functional teams to achieve operational and strategic objectives * ### Assist in developing long-term organizational capability and succession plans for key operational positions. **QUALIFICATIONS:** ------------------- ### Education * ### Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, or related discipline preferred * ### Equivalent combination of education and industry experience will be considered. ### Experience * ### Minimum 7-10 years of progressive manufacturing or industrial operations experience * ### Minimum 3-5 years of leadership experience in a production, operations, maintenance, or plant management environment * ### Experience in mineral processing, food, pharmaceutical, chemical, bulk material handling, or other regulated manufacturing environments preferred. * ### Proven track record of leading teams, improving plant performance, and implementing operational improvements * ### Experience supporting GMP, food safety, FDA-regulated, or quality-driven manufacturing environments is considered a strong asset   ### Knowledge and Skills: * ### Strong leadership and people development capabilities * ### Demonstrated ability to build high-performing teams and drive accountability * ### Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, equipment reliability, and maintenance coordination * ### Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies * ### Strong analytical and problem-solving skills * ### Understanding of OPEX, CAPEX, budgeting, and operational performance metrics * ### Excellent communication and interpersonal skills * ### Ability to manage multiple priorities and perform effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment * ### Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and ERP systems such as SAP  ### ### **Working Conditions:** * ### Industrial manufacturing environment with exposure to dust, noise, moving equipment, and varying temperatures * ### Significant time spent on the production floor interacting with employees and operations * ### Occasional off-hours, weekend, and emergency support required * ### Ability to travel periodically for training, benchmarking, or operational meetings ### **WHY CANDIDATES JOIN OMYA:** * ### Join a global leader in industrial minerals and specialty materials * ### Play a key leadership role within a unique food-grade and pharmaceutical manufacturing operation * ### Be part of a site transformation focused on operational excellence, reliability, and sustainable growth * ### Work alongside experienced professionals across operations, engineering, maintenance, quality, and continuous improvement * ### Opportunity to develop toward future Plant Manager and broader operational leadership positions * ### Competitive compensation, benefits, and career development opportunities within an international organization * ### Global company with operations in more than 50 countries * ### 140+ years of industry leadership * ### Internal advancement opportunities * ### Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance * ### 401(k) with Company match * ### Paid Time Off & Holidays * ### Overtime opportunities * ### Safety-first environment * ### Company values driven organization ### ### EOE