Supply chain operations
10 plant management experts
These ten professionals have run manufacturing and processing plants as plant managers, in current or former roles. A reader can learn how plant managers lead their sites and the teams that run them.
Professionals to explore
01—10Adam Zel
LinkedInExperience: Plant Manager · White River Nutrition
Plant Manager at White River Nutrition since 2024; the profile describes the company as developing and operating oilseed processing facilities. Former Soybean Crush Plant Manager (2017–2020), Soy Crush and Grain Ops Facility MGR (2020–2021), Director of Extruder Operations (2021–2024) and Sr, Director, Crush and Extruder Operations (2024) at Perdue AgriBusiness.
Beth Hipp
LinkedInExperience: Plant Manager · Valmont Industries, Inc.
Plant Manager at Valmont Industries, Inc. since 2026, and former Plant Manager at Valmont Industries, Inc. (2018–2026). The profile says that as Plant Manager of Valmont's newest spun concrete facility, Beth Hipp led the greenfield startup, overseeing construction, staffing and process development. The profile also lists two General Manager roles at Valmont Industries, Inc. (2015–2016 and 2016–2018).
Bobby Fulton
LinkedInExperience: Sr. Plant Manager - SC MO · Purem by Eberspächer
Former Sr. Plant Manager - SC MO at Purem by Eberspächer (2024–2025), where the profile also lists roles as Production Control, Logistics and IT Manager (2021–2024), Quality Manager (2020–2021) and Production Manager (2020). Plant Manager at KUBOTA Manufacturing of America since 2026.
Brian Blankenship
LinkedInExperience: Director of Operations (Plant Manager) · BTD Manufacturing
Director of Operations (Plant Manager) at BTD Manufacturing since 2014, where the profile describes providing hands-on leadership and mentoring to a 120+ person team. Former Plant Manager (Director) (2011–2013), Plant Operations Manager (2009–2011) and World Class Manufacturing Manager (2007–2009) at CNH.
Charles Smiley
LinkedInExperience: Plant Manager · Quality Steel Corporation
Former Plant Manager at Quality Steel Corporation (2017–2020), a propane tank manufacturer, where the profile says Charles Smiley oversaw daily plant operations through a staff of 100 employees, with full P&L control for annual sales of over $40M and accountability for plant performance in environmental health and safety and quality. Former Plant Manager at Dura-Line (2015–2016) and Director of Health, Safety & Environment at Quality Steel Corporation (2020–2022).
Edward Berg
LinkedInExperience: President Plant Manager · SANYO CHEMICAL TEXAS
President Plant Manager at SANYO CHEMICAL TEXAS since 2024, and former Plant Manager at SANYO CHEMICAL TEXAS (2021–2024). Former Plant Manager - Braskem LaPorte TX Polypropylene Site at Braskem (2009–2012), and former Maintenance & Reliability Leader - North America (2012–2015) and Strategic Projects - Project Team Leader Project Management (2015–2020) at Braskem.
Karen Smith
LinkedInExperience: Multi-Site Plant Manager · Quanex
Former Multi-Site Plant Manager at Quanex (2013–2024) and Plant Manager at Dart Container (2024–2025). Plant Manager at CPM since 2025. The profile also lists Production Manager at The Parkersburg News and Sentinel (2002–2013) and Production Supervisor at Herald-Tribune Media Group (1998–2002).
Kathy Schulz
LinkedInExperience: Plant Manager · DuPont
Plant Manager at DuPont since 2017. Former Site Leader at Dow (2006–2017) and Elma, Washington Plant Manager at Rohm and Haas (2002–2006). The profile describes increasing levels of responsibility in five different production facilities supporting multiple businesses within a global company.
Massimiliano Bellini
LinkedInExperience: Plant Manager · FEPA S.p.a.
Plant Manager at FEPA S.p.a. since 2024. Former Plant Manager at Bimbo QSR (2023–2024), Plant Manager at Sperlari (2019–2023) and Production Manager at Sperlari (1999–2019). The profile says Massimiliano Bellini led plant operations of 100–200+ people across Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality and HSE.
Rob Bennett
LinkedInExperience: Plant Manager · Kraft Heinz
Plant Manager at Kraft Heinz since 2017, where the profile says Rob Bennett is responsible for all manufacturing and business decisions for a single-sourced producer of Oscar Mayer hot dogs with approximately 550 employees in 24/7 operation. Former Interim Plant Manager (2013–2014), Business Unit Manager (2011–2015) and Startup Lead (2015–2017) at Kraftheinz.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's plant type to yours, since running a food plant, a chemical site and a discrete parts factory involve different operating problems and regulations. If your question is about starting up a new site, turning around a struggling one or running several plants at once, ask each person which of those situations they have handled.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01What do you look at in your first month to decide where a plant's biggest problems are?
- 02How do you run the daily and weekly meeting rhythm so that safety, quality and output issues get escalated early?
- 03How do you decide between spending capital on new equipment and fixing the process and people side first?
Reaching plant management experts
How can I contact one of these plant management experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including White River Nutrition; Valmont Industries, Inc. and Purem by Eberspächer, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach plant management experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
Request a correction or removal