Job Title

At Universal Matter , we are redefining whats possible in materials science. As global leaders in graphene and advanced carbon materials, were driving sustainable innovation across construction, polymer composites, rubber & tires, and coatings enabling industry transformation worldwide. We are looking for an Operations Plant Manager / Project Manager to help scale and operate our production facility. This hybrid leadership role combines plant operations ownership with hands-on project delivery , ensuring the plant runs safely and reliably while continuously improving capacity, efficiency, and performance. If you enjoy solving real plant problems, leading teams on the floor, and turning ideas into operating equipmentnot just presentationsthis role is for you. Key Responsibilities Plant Operations Leadership Own plant performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC) Develop and execute daily and weekly production plans Lead plant execution including production meetings, prioritization, and problem solving Coordinate shutdowns, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and reliability improvements Establish and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and training programs Support hiring, onboarding, coaching, and workforce planning EHS & Compliance Lead the site safety culture and regulatory compliance Conduct hazard assessments, incident investigations, and corrective actions Ensure contractor safety and permit systems are properly applied Maintain readiness for inspections and internal audits Project Management (Capital & Continuous Improvement) Lead projects from concept through commissioning Develop project scope, business cases, budgets, and schedules Manage vendor selection, procurement, and contract execution Coordinate engineering, installation, commissioning, and operational handover Drive Lean / Six Sigma improvement initiatives Standardize project documentation and reporting Cross-Functional Collaboration Coordinate with Engineering, R&D, Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, and Commercial teams Provide weekly operations updates and project dashboards Escalate risks and issues and ensure alignment on priorities Required Qualifications 7+ years experience in manufacturing or industrial operations 3+ years delivering capital or operational improvement projects Strong understanding of industrial safety practices Experience managing vendors and contractors Ability to read technical documentation, equipment specifications, and procedures Demonstrated leadership in building teams and operational routines Strong communication skills across operators to executives Preferred Qualifications Engineering degree, technologist diploma, or equivalent experience Lean / Six Sigma (Green Belt+) Project Management certification (PMP or equivalent) Experience in pilot plants, scale-up environments, specialty materials, or chemical manufacturing Experience using ERP/MRP or maintenance management systems Working Environment Plant-based role with a mix of desk and production floor work Occasional support during shutdowns, commissioning, or operational issues Periodic travel for vendor visits, factory acceptance tests (FATs), or installations Work in a Culture that embraces Teamwork and the following core values, Honesty, Judgement, Communication, Impact, Curiosity, Innovation, Courage, Passion and Humility #ManufacturingJobs #PlantManager #ManufacturingOperations #CapitalProjects #ContinuousImprovement #LeanManufacturing #AdvancedMaterials #ChemicalManufacturing #BurlingtonJobs