Production Leader: Formulation & Packaging Excellence

Nufarm; Chicago Heights (IL); On-site; USD 126,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Nufarm in Chicago Heights, IL, is seeking a Production Manager to lead formulation and packaging teams across all shifts, driving safe, efficient execution of the production schedule and mentoring engineers, supervisors, and operators.

This high-visibility role partners with HSE, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality and Supply Chain to raise operational excellence, improve OEE, and manage budgets while upholding safety standards and process safety management.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of line management experience within a manufacturing, chemical, engineering, or industrial operations environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams and driving continuous improvement.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, safety management systems, and continuous improvement principles.
• Experience with SOPs, Permit to Work systems, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), hot work, confined space entry, and other critical safety programs.
• Strong people leadership, coaching, performance management, and team development skills.
• Experience driving operational excellence through KPIs, process management, and data-driven decision-making.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and change management skills.
• Strong problem-solving capabilities with experience leading root cause analysis and corrective action initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop production teams across formulation and packaging operations, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Drive execution of the production schedule
• Provide leadership and oversight for manufacturing operations, including production performance, staffing, training, and employee development.
• Ensure compliance with SOPs, Permit to Work systems, LOTO, and other critical safety standards.
• Champion Process Safety Management (PSM) principles and ensure employees understand major hazard scenarios, critical controls, and emergency response expectations.
• Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and HSE teams to identify and implement process improvements that enhance safety, reliability, and efficiency.
• Monitor and improve key manufacturing metrics, including OEE, schedule attainment, quality and yield performance, and cost control.
• Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions to prevent recurring operational or HSEQ issues.
• Oversee long term workforce planning, performance management, succession planning, and employee development initiatives.
• Support Lean Manufacturing, 5S, waste reduction, and continuous improvement programs across the facility.
• Manage departmental budgets and resources to achieve safety, quality, production, and financial objectives.
• Maintain effective communication across shifts and departments to ensure alignment on priorities and operational goals.

Skills

Leadership

Continuous improvement

Safety management

Operations management

Data-driven decisions

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

Nufarm in Chicago Heights, IL, is seeking a Production Manager to lead formulation and packaging teams across all shifts, driving safe, efficient execution of the production schedule and mentoring engineers, supervisors, and operators.

This high-visibility role partners with HSE, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality and Supply Chain to raise operational excellence, improve OEE, and manage budgets while upholding safety standards and process safety management.