Unstoppable People - RJ Plumley

Milliken’s Unstoppable People series highlights Milliken & Company associates who guide us to success and embody our values: integrity, excellence, innovation, sustainability, and people.

Milliken’s commitment to environmental stewardship is exemplified by associates like RJ Plumley. “I’m an Advanced Environmental Manager responsible for environmental compliance at our chemical business manufacturing facilities in South Carolina, including the Dewey Plant,” RJ explains.

RJ provides critical oversight and carefully shepherds Milliken’s environmental protocols and processes for its South Carolina chemical business facilities. He describes his day-to-day job as problem solving and planning ahead, with occasional “firefighting,” meaning he needs to be ready at a moment’s notice to pivot and handle unexpected asks. “We have an environmental calendar with due dates for reports and weekly audits. On a perfect day, we follow this schedule, but at times, we must deal with the unexpected; like a regulatory inspection,” he shares. RJ is also part of the plant’s Emergency Response Team, where he assists with supply procurement and incident management, which means he works to ensure Milliken is prepared in case actual firefighting is needed.

RJ’s journey at Milliken began as a lab technician at RMC straight out of college. His passion for the environment led him to an environmental role at the Allen Plant. “I grew up loving the outdoors, so I thought an environmental role would be fun. It turned out to be more desk work than I expected, but I’ve grown to love it,” RJ recalls.

Over the years, RJ has held various positions, including lab manager and environmental professional, before becoming the Advanced Environmental Manager at the Dewey Plant. “Milliken has allowed me to explore different roles and develop my skills in various areas,” he says.

Outside of work, RJ enjoys spending time with his family in Spartanburg, South Carolina. “My wife calls me a social butterfly. We love exploring local restaurants, camping, and taking walks with our dog,” he shares. RJ and his family are also looking forward to a trip to Disney World, a special place where he proposed to his wife.

When asked which of Milliken’s core values resonates most with him, RJ chooses integrity. “In my role, integrity is crucial. It’s about doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult. I always tell my team to report any issues immediately so we can address them quickly and properly,” he emphasizes.

Want to join our team of #UnstoppablePeople? Visit our careers webpage to learn more about your next opportunity.

Do you know an Unstoppable Person you’d like to recognize? Nominate them at [email protected].