OMYA

Assistant Plant Manager

United States · On-site · Full time

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About the role

Description from the employer’s posting. Check the employer’s page for the current version.

  • EmployerOMYA
  • LocationUnited States
  • Work styleOn-site
  • Employment typeFull time
  • Employer posted

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:

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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

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At a glance

  • Work styleOn-site
  • Employment typeFull time
  • Employer posted
  • Added to ROLIVA
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