Engineering Jobs in Lafayette County, MS

Location: Sardis, Mississippi

Job Title: Plant Manager

FLSA Status: Salary, Exempt

Compensation: $100,000 – $125,000

Position Summary

The Plant Manager, Sardis is responsible for leading a multi-line manufacturing facility that houses a R&D facility along with prototyping laboratories.

This role is accountable for ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operations while leveraging ERP (NetSuite) as the system of record for production planning, labor scheduling, inventory management, compliance, and reporting. The Plant Manager must effectively balance commercial production demands with development and pilot-scale runs in close partnership with R&D, while fostering a culture of professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Use ERP (NetSuite) as the system of record for all site activities including scheduling, production tracking, inventory management, order fulfillment, and compliance
• Drive ERP data accuracy and utilization to support decision-making, standardized operator workflows, and site-wide performance monitoring
• Oversee daily operations across spray drying, granulation, fulvic, liquid, and specialty production lines
• Optimize scheduling, throughput, and critical-path workflows to minimize downtime and maximize efficiency
• Ensure consistent raw material flow, warehouse accuracy, and on-time customer shipments
• Enforce site-wide adherence to EHS, regulatory, and internal quality standards
• Partner with Quality to integrate routine product testing into daily operational checks
• Ensure compliance with customer requirements and audit standards in a high-visibility, customer-facing environment
• Provide operational oversight for R&D assets and pilot equipment located at the Sardis facility
• Support scale-up trials, development runs, and process optimization initiatives without compromising commercial production performance
• Facilitate smooth and repeatable transitions from pilot-scale to full-scale manufacturing
• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, leads, and operators across multiple shifts
• Design and implement structured operator training programs with emphasis on safety, ERP usage, and technical competency
• Partner with HR to recruit, retain, and promote local talent
• Build and manage shift schedules balancing production requirements, maintenance needs, and R&D flexibility
• Utilize ERP-driven labor planning to optimize resource allocation and reduce inefficiencies
• Ensure adequate cross-training to improve coverage, agility, and operational responsiveness
• Represent Sardis operations during customer visits, audits, and product demonstrations
• Maintain a high level of site professionalism as the company’s flagship customer-facing facility
• Collaborate closely with R&D, Commercial, Engineering, and Procurement teams to meet internal and external objectives
• Own plant-level budgets, KPIs, and operational metrics
• Track and drive improvements in cost per unit, yield, labor utilization, and equipment uptime
• Lead capital project execution and continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency and scalability

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Industrial Operations, or a related field.
• 10+ years of plant operations or production leadership experience with multi-line, multi-shift oversight.
• Proven success leading customer-facing manufacturing operations.
• Experience supporting R&D activities, pilot-to-scale transitions, and product optimization initiatives.
• Demonstrated strength in people leadership and operator training development.
• Expertise in ERP-driven operations management, Lean manufacturing principles, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to balance production discipline with R&D flexibility.
• High proficiency with ERP systems (NetSuite preferred), Microsoft Office Suite, and data-driven reporting tools.
• Strong communicator with the ability to influence across technical, commercial, and R&D teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least one year of hands-on experience using NetSuite in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven people leadership experience managing teams of 10–25 employees.
• Background in spray drying and packaging operations.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies.
• Demonstrated success building high-performing, customer-facing production teams.
• Experience managing operations in a headquarters or flagship facility environment.
• Familiarity with international shipping documentation, including Bills of Lading, Certificates of Origin, and phytosanitary requirements.

Benefits

• 401(k) contribution match
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance

Job Title : Nuclear Engineer (Naval Reactors Engineer) Category / Component : Officer • Active Overview Design, regulate, and oversee the Navy's nuclear propulsion program, including reactor design, fleet operations, and eventual defueling and decommissioning of nuclear powered ships and submarines from Naval Reactors Headquarters and associated Department of Energy laboratories and shipyards.

Key Responsibilities Provide technical direction in areas such as reactor and fluid systems design, reactor physics, materials development, component design for steam generators, pumps, and valves, instrumentation and control for reactor and propulsion plants, testing and quality control, radiation shielding, and chemistry and radiological controls; review designs and analyses from laboratories, shipyards, and industry partners; coordinate with fleet units to ensure safe and reliable nuclear plant operation.

What to Expect Assume significant technical responsibility early in your career as part of a lean headquarters staff; work primarily in an analytical and oversight role rather than operating plants at sea; balance long term engineering projects with time sensitive fleet and shipyard issues; frequent coordination with senior civilian engineers, naval officers, and technical teams; high expectations for attention to detail, judgment, and written and oral communication.

Work Environment Work mainly at Naval Reactors Headquarters in the Washington, District of Columbia area with regular engagement with Department of Energy laboratories, nuclear training sites, shipyards, and nuclear powered ships and submarines; office based work that includes document reviews, technical meetings, inspections, and site visits rather than day to day shipboard watchstanding.

Pathways, Training & Advancement Officer commissioning through programs such as Officer Candidate School or the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate program followed by a structured technical qualification program at Naval Reactors; rotational exposure to laboratories, prototypes, shipyards, and fleet support issues; progressive responsibility leading projects and becoming a subject matter expert, with opportunities for professional military education and advanced graduate study in technical fields.

Entry through the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate program for qualified college students and recent graduates, or selection via Officer Candidate School for those who already hold qualifying degrees; all applicants must meet Nuclear Propulsion Program academic and technical screening standards in addition to general officer commissioning requirements.

Qualifications All Navy jobs require meeting general enlistment or commissioning standards, which typically include: Eligibility to serve in the United States Navy, which may involve United States citizenship or other legal residency and work status, depending on the program and current law and policy A high school diploma or equivalent for enlisted positions, and a bachelor's or qualifying professional degree for officer positions Meeting age limits that vary by program and are set in law and Navy policy.

Some communities have more restrictive age ranges Meeting medical, vision, and dental standards, including body composition and physical fitness requirements, with some jobs requiring more demanding standards Meeting character and conduct standards, including background screening Achieving required test scores for your program, such as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery for enlisted roles or officer qualification tests for officer programs Eligibility for a security clearance when required for your rating or designator Additional qualifications can include specific skills, education, licensure, or experience that are unique to a job or community and will be reviewed with you by a recruiter.

Additional qualifications for this job may include: Completion of a rigorous technical degree in engineering, physics, mathematics, or a closely related field that includes strong backgrounds in calculus and physics; outstanding academic record, particularly in technical coursework; United States citizenship and eligibility for a high level security clearance; strong technical aptitude and comfort with detailed analytical work.

Education Education benefits are available through standard Navy programs such as Tuition Assistance, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, ACE-recommended college credit for Navy training, Navy COOL-funded certifications, USMAP apprenticeships, and other Navy College Program opportunities.

Specific options depend on the Sailor's status, training, and current Navy policy.

Pay, Benefits & Service Pay, benefits, and service commitments follow standard Navy Active and/or Reserve policies for this type of role, including basic pay, allowances when eligible, health coverage, and retirement options.

Exact entitlements, special pays, and service obligations depend on program, component, years of service, and current law and Navy guidance.

Incentives Incentives such as bonuses, special pays, and loan repayment may be available at times for specific ratings or communities, but they change frequently and cannot be guaranteed.

Applicants must confirm current incentives and eligibility with an official Navy recruiter or authoritative Navy source.

Notes and Disclaimers This description is a general overview of typical duties, training, and opportunities in this community.

It does not replace official Navy instructions, policies, or contracts and does not guarantee specific assignments, training, incentives, or outcomes.

Actual opportunities depend on Navy needs, individual performance, screening results, and current law and policy.