Processing Business Unit Leader

Unilever; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 89,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Life insurance

Disability benefits

Parental leave

Paid vacation

Holidays

Voluntary benefits

Job summary

Unilever is seeking a transformational manufacturing leader to own Compounding and Tank Farm operations, driving excellence through digital manufacturing, automation, and data-driven decisions.

You will guide a high-impact team across multiple shifts, delivering safe, reliable production while accelerating modernization initiatives that improve safety, quality, service, cost, and productivity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Operations Management, Business, or a related field is required or equivalent manufacturing leadership experience.
• 5+ years of manufacturing leadership experience in a process manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading frontline teams in a multi-shift operation.
• Experience in compounding, batching, chemical processing, liquid manufacturing, or related operations.
• Proven track record driving operational excellence and performance improvement.
• Preferred: Experience leading digital transformation, automation, or Industry 4.0 initiatives.
• Knowledge of manufacturing systems such as SAP, MES, RSBatch, or similar platforms.
• Experience utilizing advanced analytics, digital performance tools, and AI-enabled technologies to improve operations.
• Lean, TPM, Six Sigma, UMS, or related continuous improvement experience.
• Proven success leading organizational change and building high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Own daily performance across Compounding and Tank Farm operations.
• Ensure safe execution of all manufacturing activities while maintaining compliance with safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Drive execution of production schedules while maximizing asset utilization and minimizing downtime.
• Manage inventory, chemical handling, batch execution, and operational reliability.
• Use data and KPI-driven decision making to improve operational results.
• Lead root cause analysis and problem-solving efforts to eliminate recurring losses.
• Deliver measurable improvements in cycle time, efficiency, waste reduction, equipment reliability, and overall manufacturing performance.
• Implement Lean, TPM, UMS, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Lead adoption of automation, digital manufacturing systems, and Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Leverage real-time data, dashboards, and predictive analytics to optimize operations.
• Partner with Engineering, Digital, and Manufacturing Excellence teams to implement innovative solutions that improve safety, productivity, and reliability.
• Develop team capability in modern digital and AI-enabled manufacturing tools.
• Build a high-performance culture centered on accountability, engagement, and continuous learning.
• Coach supervisors and frontline teams to achieve operational and leadership excellence.
• Lead talent development, succession planning, hiring, and capability-building initiatives.
• Establish clear expectations and create an environment where teams are empowered to deliver results.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Digital transformation

Lean / Six Sigma

Data-driven decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Operations Management, Business, or related field

Tools

SAP

MES

RSBatch

Job description

Job Purpose

We're looking for a transformational manufacturing leader to take ownership of our Compounding and Tank Farm operations while driving the next generation of operational excellence through digital manufacturing, automation, and data-driven decision making. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for delivering safe, reliable, and efficient production while building a high-performing team and accelerating the adoption of modern manufacturing technologies. You'll lead a critical operation that directly influences safety, quality, service, cost, and productivity performance across the factory. You will:

• Lead safe, compliant, and efficient compounding and bulk unloading operations across multiple shifts.
• Drive improvements in productivity, quality, reliability, cost, waste reduction, and operational performance.
• Accelerate digital transformation through automation, real-time performance management, advanced analytics, and AI-enabled tools.
• Build a culture of accountability, ownership, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Develop future-ready manufacturing talent through coaching, capability building, and leadership development.
• Serve as a key leader in factory transformation initiatives that modernize operations and improve business performance.

What You'll Do

Lead Operations

• Own daily performance across Compounding and Tank Farm operations.
• Ensure safe execution of all manufacturing activities while maintaining compliance with safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Drive execution of production schedules while maximizing asset utilization and minimizing downtime.
• Manage inventory, chemical handling, batch execution, and operational reliability.

Drive Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Use data and KPI-driven decision making to improve operational results.
• Lead root cause analysis and problem-solving efforts to eliminate recurring losses.
• Deliver measurable improvements in cycle time, efficiency, waste reduction, equipment reliability, and overall manufacturing performance.
• Implement Lean, TPM, UMS, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Advance Digital Manufacturing

• Lead adoption of automation, digital manufacturing systems, and Industry 4.0 technologies.
• Leverage real-time data, dashboards, and predictive analytics to optimize operations.
• Partner with Engineering, Digital, and Manufacturing Excellence teams to implement innovative solutions that improve safety, productivity, and reliability.
• Develop team capability in modern digital and AI-enabled manufacturing tools.

Develop and Inspire Teams

• Build a high-performance culture centered on accountability, engagement, and continuous learning.
• Coach supervisors and frontline teams to achieve operational and leadership excellence.
• Lead talent development, succession planning, hiring, and capability-building initiatives.
• Establish clear expectations and create an environment where teams are empowered to deliver results.

What Success Looks Like

• World-class safety and compliance performance.
• Consistent achievement of production, quality, and service targets.
• Improved manufacturing efficiency, reliability, and cost performance.
• Successful deployment and adoption of digital manufacturing tools and technologies.
• A highly engaged, capable, and accountable operations team.
• Sustainable operational improvements that position the factory for future growth.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Operations Management, Business, or a related field; equivalent manufacturing leadership experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of manufacturing leadership experience in a process manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading frontline teams in a multi-shift operation.
• Experience in compounding, batching, chemical processing, liquid manufacturing, or related manufacturing operations.
• Proven track record driving operational excellence and performance improvement.
• Preferred: Experience leading digital transformation, automation, or Industry 4.0 initiatives.
• Knowledge of manufacturing systems such as SAP, MES, RSBatch, or similar platforms.
• Experience utilizing advanced analytics, digital performance tools, and AI-enabled technologies to improve operations.
• Lean, TPM, Six Sigma, UMS, or related continuous improvement experience.
• Proven success leading organizational change and building high-performing teams.

Pay & Benefits

#WC123 Pay: The pay range for this position is $88,600 to $133,000.

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.

Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.

Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits.

Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Inclusion & Equal Opportunity

At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed.

All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.

Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities.

For more information on your federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at [e-mail].

Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses.

The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at the establishment.

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