Senior Operations Leader (Plant Manager / Production Manager Level)Dunnellon, FLActivated Carbon Manufacturing – 24/7 Continuous ProcessDonau Carbon USA is a global leader in activated carbon production, backed by more than 100 years of industry expertise. We manufacture high‑quality powdered, granular, and extruded activated carbon for applications including odor control, natural gas treatment, solvent recovery, wastewater treatment, and food & beverage processing.We are seeking a Senior Operations Leader to oversee full plant operations at our Dunnellon, FL manufacturing site. This role is responsible for production, maintenance, reliability, engineering oversight, cost control, HSE, and people leadership in a continuous‑process environment. Rotary kiln or thermal processing experience is a major plus.Key ResponsibilitiesLead all plant operations, including daily/weekly/monthly production performance (OEE, yield, uptime, throughput)Oversee workforce planning, shift management, and supervisory developmentDrive operational efficiency, process optimization, and Lean/CI initiativesLead PM/PdM programs, reliability engineering, and contractor oversightManage CAPEX projects from concept through commissioningEnsure OSHA/EPA compliance and maintain safety disciplineOwn operational budgeting, cost control, and resource allocationProvide strong leadership across production, maintenance, and engineering teamsWillingness to lead by example and drive culture change and work with an older plant. Required Qualifications5+ years in industrial or chemical manufacturing Proven leadership as a Plant Manager or Operations Manager with full budget accountabilityStrong background in preventive/predictive maintenance and reliability engineeringHands‑on CAPEX project management experienceExperience with thermal processing, carbon materials, mineral processing, or rotary kilns preferredFamiliarity industrial safety protocols is important Demonstrated success in manufacturing operations and continuous improvementBachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field preferred