Melting Manager

SCHOTT AG; Duryea (Luzerne County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision

Short and long-term disability

Paid time off

Retirement plan options

Job summary

SCHOTT Advanced Optics in the United States seeks a seasoned manufacturing leader to oversee all raw glass operations and drive performance improvements. You will lead cross-functional teams, optimize capacity and workflows, ensure safety and quality, and collaborate with Supply Chain, Maintenance and Quality to meet customer requirements.

Responsibilities include mentoring staff, implementing Lean initiatives, and maintaining regulatory compliance while managing budgets and production

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 5–10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership in a process-driven environment.
• Experience leading technical manufacturing operations, process control, and continuous improvement.
• Fluent English written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise raw glass manufacturing operations including melting, annealing, batch house, and etching.
• Develop and coach employees through hiring, training, performance management, coaching, and succession planning.
• Foster a high-performing environment with strong labor relations and union partnerships.
• Plan capacity, workflows, and layouts to improve productivity, quality, and lead times.
• Troubleshoot manufacturing challenges and drive solutions to improve performance and quality.
• Coordinate production with Supply Chain, Procurement, Maintenance and Quality.
• Prepare and manage cost estimates, budgets, staffing plans, and production forecasts.
• Establish and monitor KPIs for safety, quality, delivery, productivity and cost.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing and SCHOTT Lean standards.
• Ensure EH&S compliance and maintain a strong safety culture.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Manufacturing Leadership

Process Optimization

Lean Manufacturing

Team Development

Project Management

Cross-functional Collaboration

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

Job description

SCHOTT Advanced Optics is a valuable partner for developing products and customized solutions for applications in optics, astronomy, opto-electronics, augmented reality, life sciences, and research. With a portfolio of over 120 glasses, we master the value chain, from development to finishing and metrology.

Your Contribution

• 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
• Peform other duties as assigned

Your Profile

• 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, advanced technical degree, or professional project management certification considered a strong asset
• Fluent English communication skills, both written and verbal
• Excellent healthcare benefits including medical, dental and vision
• Short and long term disability
• Paid time off
• Other supplemental benefits available upon election

At SCHOTT, it’s your personality that counts – not your gender, your identity, or origin.

Job Segment: Chemical Research, Facilities, Chemical Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Employee Relations, Engineering, Operations, Human Resources