Glass Melting Operations Leader

Schott North America; Duryea (Luzerne County); On-site; USD 115,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent healthcare benefits

Short and long term disability

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Pet insurance

Other supplemental benefits available

Job summary

Schott North America is seeking a manufacturing leader to drive raw glass production and continuous improvement across melting, annealing, batch, and etching operations. You will set standards, coach teams, and coordinate with supply chain and quality to meet customer requirements and production targets.

The role emphasizes Lean principles, safety, and cost control, with a strong focus on developing talent and sustaining high performance in a demanding process-driven environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline required.
• Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a process-driven production environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical manufacturing operations, including process control, continuous improvement, and production optimization.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, develop, and engage teams while fostering accountability, collaboration, and high performance.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to evaluate complex manufacturing processes and implement effective solutions.
• Experience with workforce planning, capacity analysis, budgeting, cost control, and operational performance management.
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles, continuous improvement methodologies, and KPI-driven decision making.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with employees, leadership, customers, vendors, and union representatives.
• Proficiency with computer systems, data analysis tools, and manufacturing-related software applications.
• Experience in glass manufacturing, materials processing, thermal processing, or similar industrial manufacturing environments preferred. MBA or advanced technical degree considered a strong asset.
• Fluent English communication skills, both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise all raw glass manufacturing operations, including melting, annealing, batch house, and etching processes, while serving as the technical authority for glass melting technologies.
• Manage and develop employees through hiring, training, performance management, coaching, employee relations, recognition, corrective action, and succession planning.
• Foster a positive, accountable, and high-performing work environment while maintaining effective labor relations and collaborative union partnerships.
• Plan and optimize workforce utilization, equipment capacity, production workflows, and facility layouts to improve productivity, efficiency, quality, and lead times.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing challenges, establish process standards, and drive technical solutions that improve operational performance and product quality.
• Coordinate production activities with Supply Chain, Procurement, Maintenance, Quality, and other functions to ensure customer requirements and production objectives are achieved.
• Prepare and manage cost estimates, quotations, budgets, staffing plans, capital requests, and production forecasts to support business goals.
• Establish, monitor, communicate, and improve key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing principles by ensuring compliance with SCHOTT Lean standards, delivering employee training, and leading continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all Environmental, Health, Safety, and Security requirements by promoting a strong safety culture, overseeing hazardous waste management activities, maintaining regulatory compliance, and developing qualified personnel.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Project management

Team leadership

Problem solving

Data analysis

Manufacturing software

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Data analysis tools

Manufacturing software applications

Job description

Schott North America is seeking a manufacturing leader to drive raw glass production and continuous improvement across melting, annealing, batch, and etching operations. You will set standards, coach teams, and coordinate with supply chain and quality to meet customer requirements and production targets.

The role emphasizes Lean principles, safety, and cost control, with a strong focus on developing talent and sustaining high performance in a demanding process-driven environment.