Process Engineering Manager - Mixing

Kao EMEA & Americas; Cincinnati (OH); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

401(k) match

36 days off

Job summary

Kao, a leading global consumer goods company, seeks a Sr. Manager, Processing (Liquid Making) to lead day-to-day plant operations in a 3-shift environment near Cincinnati.

You will manage team leaders, compounders, weighers, and dispatch specialists to meet production schedules while ensuring safety and GMP compliance. The role emphasizes continuous improvement, equipment reliability, and collaboration with Engineering for Capex projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Industrial & Production Engineering.
• 8+ years in a processing management role with leadership.
• 5+ years in processing operations in consumer products, pharma, or food.
• 5+ years of effective project management experience.
• Knowledge of SAP S/4HANA is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day production operations and manage a team of supervisors and specialists.
• Ensure production schedules, safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
• Report KPIs like OEE, plan adherence, and inventory accuracy.
• Drive continuous improvement and Capex project implementation.
• Coordinate with Engineering and senior management on strategic plans.
• Oversee batch records, SOPs, and documentation for Liquid Making.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Process engineering

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Industrial & Production Engineering

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

Job description

We are Kao, listed as one of the world’s most ethical companies for the last 19 years.

Our brand portfolio spans across three sectors; Consumer Care (John Frieda, Bondi Sands, Bioré, Jergens, Curél), Professional Hair (Goldwell, Oribe, KMS Hair, Kerasilk), and Molton Brown.

Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us in everything we do – acting with integrity, courageously driving innovation, and treating each other with trust and respect.

About our role

The Sr. Manager, Processing (Liquid Making) role is responsible for leading, influencing, managing and supporting the day-to-day plant processing operations and personnel in a 3-shift, 5 days per week (weekends as needed) manufacturing environment. This role is also responsible for the management of production-related autonomous maintenance, continuous improvement, projects and personnel.

At Kao, we offer amazing benefits that are available to you on your first day of employment (healthcare, 401(k) plus company match), 36 total days off (vacation + holidays + sick) and a reasonable salary range of $110,000 - $135,000 . We also offer a hybrid work schedule (Needs to be in Cincinnati area or willing to relocate to the area).

What you will do

• Lead all day-to-day production-related work by managing a team of team leaders, compounders, weighers and product dispatch specialists, ensuring adherence to production schedules, safely and efficiently, as well as compliance to all FDA, GMP & environmental regulations.
• Maintain and report department key performance indicators such as, production plan adherence, process performance (OEE), capacity utilization, area inventory accuracy . And establish performance indicators as needed to maintain operation performance and continuous improvement.
• Execute strategies to improve processes, equipment reliability, productivity and safety aspects related to processing operations for the purposes of continuous improvement, aligned to organizational strategic targets and priorities, including new processes, new product launch, new tools & system and assets.
• Collaborate to Engineering team, and other related areas, to implement Capex Projects in the processing areas.
• Liaison with Plant Manager and other top management to assist in the development of strategic plans for operational activity.
• Lead and/or undertake administrative duties including management of change, project reviews, monthly department report, monthly departmental expenses review, creation and approval of batch records, bulk recipe creation, SOP creation/revisions, asset control, and all pertaining to Liquid Making documentation.

What you will need

• Bachelors degree in Chemical, or Mechanical, or Industrial & Production Engineering required.
• 8 years in processing management role with proven excellent leadership abilities.
• 5 years solid experience in processing operations within consumer products, pharmaceutical or food industries.
• 5 years experience of effective project management experience.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of engineering concepts & unit operations, e.g. in-line mixing, emulsification, etc..
• Demonstrated broader accountability, decision-making authority and organizational influence in managing a department.
• Knowledge of SAP S/4 HANA knowledge a plus.
• Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) preferred.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing / 6-sigma principles preferred.

At Kao, we believe the diversity of our teams strengthens our global mission. Here we trust and respect each other, collaborating in a friendly and inclusive work environment to achieve great results.

What you can expect from us

• An entrepreneurial environment where passionate and innovative teams come together.
• Respect, teamwork and collaboration are at the heart of how we work.
• A workplace culture that prioritizes employee wellbeing
• A broad range of benefits, including flexible working, competitive salaries, health and wellbeing offers, retirement, insurance options, and more…
• Learning and development opportunities

Your voice matters here — we value entrepreneurial thinking and innovation from our teams.

To find out why 33,000 people across the Globe work at Kao please visit:

https://www.kao.com/americas/en/careers/

Discover careers at Kao and how we live our purpose, Kirei – Making Life Beautiful.

https://kao.voyse.io/

Kao is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.