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Plant Operations Manager Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Plant Manager

Sherwood, TN ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

He/she is accountable for the entire plant operations with overall responsibility for plant safety ... The plant manager must be an engaged person that can handle the demands of the underground ...

Plant Manager

Sherwood, TN

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

He/she is accountable for the entire plant operations with overall responsibility for plant safety ... The plant manager must be an engaged person that can handle the demands of the underground ...

Operations Manager Job Location: Middleton, TN Job Type: Full Time * Guides, organizes, and directs ... Must possess the physical ability to move throughout the plant and perform activities such as ...

Operations Manager

Jackson, TN

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Operations Manager achieves optimal production, quality and utilization results through ... A general knowledge and understanding of plant operations, capacity planning and manufacturing is a ...

Operations Manager

Jackson, TN ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Operations Manager achieves optimal production, quality and utilization results through ... A general knowledge and understanding of plant operations, capacity planning and manufacturing is a ...

Lead pre-production, production, operations, and plant meetings to ensure on-time delivery ... Manages all departments in the plant with department supervisors (or production manager) to ...

This role will partner with the other Operations Manager both reporting to the Plant Manager. Key Responsibilities Lead daily manufacturing operations across all assigned production lines. Ensure ...

Plant Controller

Sparta, TN ยท On-site

$87K - $109K/yr

Business partnership & plant operations support * Serve as the primary finance business partner to the Plant Manager and plant leadership team, supporting operational decision-making with financial ...

Plant Controller

Sparta, TN ยท On-site

$110 - $160/hr

Business partnership & plant operations support * Serve as the primary finance business partner to the Plant Manager and plant leadership team, supporting operational decision-making with financial ...

... and operational impact. SOP Governance & Document Management * Lead the Corporate Standard ... pilot plant, chemical manufacturing, or process development operations. * 5+ years of people ...

Plant Manager

Chattanooga, TN

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

R10096875 Plant Manager (Open) Location: Chattanooga, TN - Filling industrial How will you ... Lead a team, ensure safety, manage operations, and drive efficiency in a cutting-edge environment.

Plant Controller

Sparta, TN

$87K - $109K/yr

Business partnership & plant operations support * Serve as the primary finance business partner to the Plant Manager and plant leadership team, supporting operational decision-making with financial ...

Plant Manager

Jackson, TN

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

... management of a manufacturing plant ... This position reports to the Director of Operations and regularly reports on plant performance.

Showing results 41-60

Plant Operations Manager information

See Tennessee salary details

$27.2K

$96.9K

$157K

How much do plant operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for plant operations manager in Tennessee is $96,896.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,100.00 and $120,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a plant operations manager?

To thrive as a Plant Operations Manager, you need strong leadership, operational management, and problem-solving skills, often backed by a degree in engineering, business, or a related field. Familiarity with manufacturing ERP systems, lean manufacturing principles, and safety certifications like OSHA are typically required. Exceptional communication, team-building, and decision-making abilities set outstanding managers apart. These skills and qualities are crucial for optimizing production efficiency, ensuring safety compliance, and driving continuous improvement in plant operations.

What does a plant operations manager do?

A plant operations manager oversees the daily functions of a manufacturing or processing plant, ensuring production efficiency, safety, and quality standards are met. They coordinate staff, manage budgets, implement procedures, and use tools like ERP systems to optimize operations.

What are some common challenges faced by plant operations managers, and how can they effectively address them?

Plant Operations Managers often encounter challenges such as maintaining production efficiency, ensuring equipment reliability, and managing diverse teams across multiple shifts. Balancing productivity with safety and regulatory compliance can be demanding, especially when unexpected machine breakdowns or supply chain disruptions occur. Effective managers address these challenges by implementing preventive maintenance schedules, fostering open communication among team members, and utilizing data-driven decision-making to optimize processes. Additionally, staying proactive about training and development helps the team adapt to new technologies and industry standards.

What is the difference between Plant Operations Manager vs Plant Supervisor?

AspectPlant Operations ManagerPlant Supervisor
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire plant operations, manages teams, ensures safety and efficiencySupervises daily activities of plant workers, ensures production targets are met
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, or related field; often has management experienceUsually requires a high school diploma or associate degree; experience in plant operations
Work EnvironmentOffice and plant floor, strategic planning, team managementPrimarily on the plant floor, direct supervision of staff

The Plant Operations Manager focuses on overall plant performance, strategic planning, and team leadership, while the Plant Supervisor handles daily supervision of workers and production tasks. Both roles are essential but differ in scope and responsibilities.

Is a plant operations manager a stressful job?

A plant operations manager often faces stress due to managing production schedules, ensuring safety compliance, and meeting efficiency targets. The role requires strong problem-solving skills and the ability to handle unexpected issues in a fast-paced environment, which can contribute to job-related stress.

Is a plant operations manager a high paying job?

A plant operations manager typically earns a competitive salary that varies based on industry, location, and experience. In general, it is considered a well-paying role within manufacturing, industrial, or production environments, often requiring leadership skills and knowledge of operations management tools. Salaries can range from moderate to high depending on the size and complexity of the facility.

What are the most commonly searched types of Plant Operations jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Plant Operations jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Plant Operations Manager jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Plant Operations Manager job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Plant Operations Manager jobs in TN?

For Plant Operations Manager jobs in TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Plant Operations Manager job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,896 per year, or $46.6 per hour.

Director, Pilot Plant Manufacturing

Buckman

Memphis, TN โ€ข On-site

Other

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

Director, Pilot Plant Manufacturing

Buckman Memphis, TN

Location: Memphis, TN

Language: English

Travel: up to 10%

Buckman is a privately held, global specialty chemical company with headquarters in Memphis, TN, USA, committed to safeguarding the environment, maintaining safety in the workplace, and promoting sustainable development. Buckman delivers exceptional service and innovative solutions to our customers globally in the pulp and paper, leather, and water treatment sectors to help boost productivity, reduce risk, improve product quality, and provide a measurable return on investment.

Position Summary

The Director, Pilot Plant Manufacturing is a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for pilot plant operations, process scale-up, commercialization support, process safety, continuous improvement, and technical leadership. This role serves as the critical link between Research & Development and Manufacturing, ensuring innovative technologies are safely, efficiently, and successfully transitioned from laboratory development to commercial production.

The ideal candidate is a chemical engineering or manufacturing leader with deep expertise in pilot plant operations, process safety, scale-up, and operational excellence within the chemical, specialty chemical, or related manufacturing industries.

Key Outcomes/Responsibilities

Pilot Plant Operations & Leadership

  • Lead all pilot plant operations to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient execution of development and production campaigns.
  • Prioritize and schedule pilot-scale trials, experiments, and production activities.
  • Manage equipment reliability, preventative maintenance, and capital improvement projects.
  • Develop and maintain operating procedures, P&IDs, and process documentation.

Process Safety, Compliance & Quality

  • Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, PSM, EHS, and applicable regulatory requirements.
  • Lead Process Hazard Analyses (PHA), Management of Change (MOC), Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR), incident investigations, and Job Hazard Analyses (JHA).

New Product Scale-Up & Commercialization

  • Translate laboratory-developed chemistries into pilot-scale and manufacturing-ready processes.
  • Lead scale-up planning, including mass and energy balances, equipment sizing, and process optimization.
  • Support technology transfer to manufacturing sites and provide preliminary cost estimates for business case evaluations.

Continuous Improvement & Manufacturing Support

  • Lead Lean and Six Sigma initiatives to improve safety, quality, productivity, and cost performance.
  • Facilitate cross-functional problem-solving and root cause analysis efforts.
  • Utilize operational data to improve yield, reliability, and process performance.

Strategic Sourcing Support

  • Provide technical expertise in evaluating alternate and replacement raw materials.
  • Conduct bench and pilot-scale testing to assess feasibility, quality, and operational impact.

SOP Governance & Document Management

  • Lead the Corporate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) program and document management system.
  • Ensure manufacturing sites comply with corporate document control standards and approval workflows.

Basic Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering required; Chemistry degree considered with significant manufacturing and process engineering experience.
  • 10+ years of experience leading pilot plant, chemical manufacturing, or process development operations.
  • 5+ years of people leadership experience within a manufacturing or technical environment.
  • Proven experience in process scale-up, commercialization, and technology transfer.
  • Experience with specialty chemicals, industrial chemicals, or related manufacturing industries.
  • Strong understanding of process safety management, hazard analysis, and regulatory compliance.
  • Fundamental understanding of regulatory space, particularly FIFRA, TSCA, and RCRA
  • Lean Six Sigma / Design for Six Sigma background is a plus
  • Financial acumen (MBA degree a plus)

We appreciate the interest of recruitment partners, but we are not engaging external agencies for this role.