Magnolia Plant Manager

Be an essential element to a brighter future.

We work together to transform essential resources into critical ingredients for mobility, energy, connectivity and health. Join our values-led organization committed to building a more resilient world with people and planet in mind. Our core values are the foundation that make us successful for ourselves, our customers and the planet.

Job Description

We are seeking a dynamic, strategic, and safety-focused Magnolia Plant Manager to lead one of our most critical and complex Albemarle production sites. This site includes a large-scale bromine and derivative chemical manufacturing facilities across two different site locations and a vast brinefield operation spanning 140,000 acres across the entire span of Columbia County, presenting both high operational risk and strategic importance.

This executive-level role is responsible for the safe, compliant, and cost-effective operation of the sites and brinefield, with full accountability for health, safety, and environmental (HSE) performance, production and maintenance, capital project execution, financial results, talent development, and long-term site strategy. The Plant Manager is a key member of the global operations leadership team and is expected to drive a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement while maintaining strong engagement with employees, the local community, and regulatory bodies.

Key Responsibilities

• Site Leadership & Strategy: Lead the overall direction of the plant, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and the Annual Operating Plan. Define and implement both short- and long-term strategic objectives that support site growth, risk reduction, and operational excellence.
• Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE): Ensure site-wide adherence to all statutory and corporate HSE policies and regulatory standards. Foster a zero-incident culture and proactively manage the risks associated with hazardous chemical operations (including bromine and many other highly hazardous chemicals).
• Operational Excellence: Lead all aspects of site operations including production, maintenance, reliability, engineering, and quality. Drive best-in-class plant performance through KPIs and structured improvement programs (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, etc.).
• Brinefield Management: Oversee operations of the expansive brinefield, ensuring reliable feedstock supply, regulatory compliance, and environmental stewardship.
• Financial & Capital Oversight: Develop, manage, and deliver on the site's annual budget, including OPEX and CAPEX. Ensure cost control, asset utilization, and return on investment through efficient resource allocation.
• Technology & Innovation: Collaborate with Process Technology and R&D teams to support new product introductions, process improvements, and trial production activities that ensure long-term competitiveness.
• Maintenance & Reliability: Implement robust reliability strategies and maintenance systems to improve asset uptime and extend equipment life, including spare parts planning and cost-effective repair programs.
• People Leadership: Build and inspire a high-performance leadership team. Champion a strong talent development culture, inclusive of coaching, succession planning, and workforce engagement for both employees and contractors.
• Community & Stakeholder Relations: Serve as the senior-most leader onsite and act as the face of the company with local stakeholders, including government agencies, community organizations, and educational partners.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner effectively with global functional leads in HSE, Engineering, Supply Chain, HR, and Finance to align site objectives with enterprise-wide priorities.
• Reporting & Compliance: Prepare and present operational reports to senior leadership. Ensure ongoing compliance with all federal, state, and local regulatory requirements, particularly in process safety and environmental impact.
• Availability: Given the global nature of the business and 24/7 operations of the site, availability outside of standard business hours is required to support critical events and global coordination.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering required; advanced degree (MBA or MS) strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership in chemical manufacturing, with at least 5 years at a site or business unit leadership level.
• Deep understanding of chemical process safety (e.g., OSHA PSM), hazardous materials management, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated success managing complex operations with a large workforce and contractor population.
• Experience with integrated manufacturing and resource extraction (e.g., brinefields or mining) preferred.
• Proven ability to lead in high-risk, high-complexity environments while delivering strong financial and operational results.
• Strong communication and executive presence; able to represent the site effectively to senior leadership, regulators, and the community.
• Passionate about people development, safety culture, and continuous improvement.
• High integrity, resilience under pressure, and the ability to make decisions aligned with both business goals and ethical standards.

Benefits of Joining Albemarle

• Competitive compensation

• Comprehensive benefits package

• A diverse array of resources to support you professionally and personally.

We are partners to one another in pioneering new ways to be better for ourselves, our teams, and our communities. When you join Albemarle, you become our most essential element and you can anticipate competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package, and resources that foster your well-being and fuel your personal growth. Help us shape the future, build with purpose and grow together.