Assistant Plant Manager

Hawkins, Inc. is a trusted and well-known leader in the chemical industry for over 80 years. We have opportunities for motivated hard workers to learn and develop a career with our Water Treatment business segment. Our route sales/delivery approach to supplying products and equipment to our customers in 27+ states ensures superb customer service and support. Our customers include water and wastewater treatment systems, municipal and commercial swimming pools, industrial process and wastewater facilities, and industries like oil/gas and agricultural farmers/growers.

Learn more about us at www.hawkinsinc.com (NASDAQ: HWKN).

To learn more about Hawkins Water Treatment and the sales, delivery and warehouse positions, watch this short video.

ABOUT THE JOB

The Assistant Plant Manager supports the Plant Manager by assisting in all aspects of plant operations, including processing, packaging, material handling, warehousing, and distribution. Responsibilities include contributing to continuous improvement initiatives, managing inventories of raw materials and finished goods, overseeing production planning, and providing effective team leadership. As such, this role combines both administrative tasks and active production floor leadership of employees. The Assistant Plant Manager must exhibit positive leadership skills to create a culture of training, recognition and corrective action to maintain high standards of safety, product quality and outstanding customer service. The Assistant Plant Manager assists in managing team performance by setting clear expectations, monitoring results, and providing coaching and feedback. Participates in hiring processes, including interviewing and onboarding new employees, to ensure the development of a skilled and motivated workforce. Works closely with cross-functional teams to promote a safe, efficient, and high-performing production environment.

Responsibilities

• Train, support, and assist in supervising production, warehouse, and maintenance technicians to ensure efficient and safe operations.
• Plan, schedule, and coordinate daily production activities, including running MRP, scheduling mix tanks, processing stock transfers from other plants, creating work orders, to meet customer requirements, maintain inventory targets, and achieve operational goals.
• Maintain a safe work environment by ensuring strict compliance with all SOPs, enforcing safe work practices, and proactively identifying and mitigating risks to prevent accidents and incidents
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory and quality standards, including EPA, OSHA, DOT, SQF, ISO, and GMP requirements.
• Assist in leading the plant operations team to consistently execute the production plan and meet performance objectives.
• Participate in corrective and preventive action initiatives to resolve production issues, reduce waste, and drive continuous improvement.
• Manage raw material and finished goods inventory levels.
• Serve as the backup Facility Security Officer and Emergency Response Incident Commander, providing leadership during emergency situations.
• Lead and coach team as part of the facility leadership team, promoting accountability, enforcing standards, and fostering engagement and ownership
• Ensure completion of all required Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) and process-specific training.
• Conduct daily huddles to address compliance, safety, equipment status, production updates, and personnel needs.
• Collaborate with cross-functional staff to balance workloads and provide back-up support as needed.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment in all assigned areas.
• Operate production processes in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including monitoring and adjusting variables such as temperature, pressure, and feed rates.
• Receive training and apply "in-process" analytical methods to ensure product quality and consistency.
• Support troubleshooting of production processes and equipment as needed.
• Demonstrate flexibility in work scheduling to meet customer and operational demands.
• Operate motorized equipment such as forklifts, skid loaders, front-end loaders, snow plows, and company vehicles safely and efficiently.
• Adhere to all product quality and safety standards; immediately report any product safety incidents to the Plant Manager, or designated representative.
• Support effective communication and collaboration throughout the facility to promote team success.
• Actively participate as a member of the emergency response team, serving as Incident Commander (HAZWOPER 40-Hour certification required).
• Manage daily inventory activities, including overseeing the cycle counting process to ensure accuracy and accountability, performing spot counts, and providing support at MRB meetings.
• Manage procurement of general materials and safety equipment to support operational needs.
• Conduct safety culture audits, assist with internal and external audits, and support resolution of audit-related issues.
• Support and/or manage capital projects for site
• Coordinate loading/unloading and release of trucks and railcars.
• Partner with Maintenance for scheduling production maintenance.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Leadership Support

• Participate in the hiring process by conducting interviews, evaluating candidates, and providing input to ensure the selection of qualified employees.
• Participate in the employee recognition and disciplinary process including performance observations and documentation, including recognition, corrective conversations, retraining and administering corrective action in coordination with the plant manager.
• Assume responsibility for daily operations in the Plant Manager's absence, including reviewing and approving timecards, coordinating with leads, resolving production and personnel issues, and maintaining compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

ABOUT YOU

• BS in technical science degree or equivalent experience required. BS in Chemical/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering or equivalent experience preferred.
• Leadership experience preferred
• Minimum of 1 years of previous experience in a manufacturing-based
• role, chemical industry experience preferred
• Minimum of 6 months of previous MRP or ERP experience preferred; prior JD Edwards experience strongly preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel and Outlook required.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience in problem solving and communication
• Attention to detail, follow through, and accuracy.
• Ability to organize, tasks and time, to ensure timely completion of all projects.
• Ability to work weekends and be on-call
• Previous experience operating a forklift required
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills required
• Ability to manage multiple tasks
• Sound judgment and decision making
• Effective communication skills

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, and climb stairs for up to 12 hours per day.
• Ability to work in a warehouse facility where temperatures may range from 45 up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit; as well as work outside in all weather conditions.
• Ability to climb ladders and work at heights up to 50 ft, on occasion
• Able to perform manual dexterity tasks.
• Ability to turn, twist, stoop, bend and reach.
• No exposed jewelry in body piercings when in a GMP production area (where applicable).

Travel:

Not Required.

Expected Compensation: $28.25 - $33.25/hr. + 5% bonus eligibility

Shift Hours: Available for 6:00am - 4:00pm Monday - Friday

Hawkins offers eligible employees and their dependents comprehensive benefits, which includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, LTD/STD and more.Other benefits for eligible employees include 401(k) match, Employee Stock Purchase program (ESPP), paid time off, and paid holidays.

For more information on Hawkins benefits, visit: https://www.hawkinsinc.com/careers/benefits/

Ref. 2027-006

All applications must be received online. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law. Hawkins is a Drug Free workplace.