Production Manager

LHH; Bolingbrook (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation (2 weeks)

Paid sick leave

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401K

Life Insurance

Job summary

LHH Recruitment Solutions is partnering with a growing organization seeking a Production Manager – Chemical Manufacturing in Bolingbrook, IL. You will lead day-to-day operations, drive safety and quality, and mentor a high-performing team to achieve production targets.

The role emphasizes continuous improvement, Lean/Six Sigma practices, automation initiatives, and collaboration with engineering, maintenance, and quality departments to support growth and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of manufacturing leadership experience in chemical manufacturing.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field required.
• Proven track record in process improvement and safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily manufacturing operations ensuring safety, quality, productivity and on-time delivery.
• Supervise and develop a team of production employees.
• Drive continuous improvement focused on efficiency, cost reduction, and waste elimination.
• Oversee maintenance coordination and equipment reliability with maintenance teams.
• Support automation projects and digital transformation initiatives.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and supply chain teams to meet goals.
• Lead workforce planning, training, and succession planning.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

5S

Problem Solving

Data Analysis

ERP Systems

Operational Excellence

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering/Manufacturing/Operations Management

Tools

ERP systems

Production reporting tools

Job description

LHH Recruitment Solutions has partnered with a growing organization, and they are seeking a motivated Production Manager – Chemical Manufacturing to join their team. This is a highly visible leadership opportunity for a hands‑on manufacturing professional who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and enjoys balancing people leadership, process improvement, maintenance oversight, and production performance. This role offers the opportunity to influence plant strategy, implement automation initiatives, improve operational efficiencies, and develop high‑performing teams while ensuring a safe and productive manufacturing environment.

The Production Manager will oversee all aspects of day-to-day manufacturing operations, including production planning, workforce leadership, maintenance coordination, safety compliance, inventory accuracy, process optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives. The successful candidate will lead a team while partnering with cross-functional departments to achieve operational goals and support future growth. This position requires a strong leader who can effectively adapt their management style to different situations, hold employees accountable, mentor team members, and foster a positive culture focused on performance, safety, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage daily manufacturing operations to ensure safety, quality, productivity, and delivery objectives are achieved.
• Supervise, coach, mentor, and develop a team of production employees.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency, productivity, cost reduction, and waste elimination.
• Monitor and analyze production metrics, utilizing data and reporting tools to identify performance gaps and implement corrective actions.
• Troubleshoot production challenges and lead root‑cause analysis efforts to resolve operational issues quickly and effectively.
• Partner with maintenance teams to oversee preventive maintenance programs and improve equipment reliability.
• Support automation projects and digital transformation initiatives that enhance manufacturing performance.
• Manage production scheduling, resource allocation, inventory accuracy, and workflow optimization.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental, and company safety standards while promoting a strong safety culture throughout the facility.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, process controls, and best practices.
• Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, quality, supply chain, and leadership teams to achieve business objectives.
• Lead special projects focused on process enhancement, capacity improvements, and operational excellence.
• Participate in workforce planning, succession planning, employee development, and cross‑training initiatives.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of manufacturing leadership experience within a chemical manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience managing production teams in a process manufacturing setting.
• Strong background in plant operations, production management, and people leadership.
• Experience implementing or supporting automation initiatives and manufacturing technology improvements.
• Working knowledge of maintenance practices, equipment reliability, and preventive maintenance programs.
• Demonstrated success leading process improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 5S, or similar methodologies.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to leverage production data to drive decisions.
• Experience utilizing ERP systems and production reporting tools.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations and chemical manufacturing safety programs.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Chemical blending, batch processing, or process manufacturing operations.
• Continuous improvement leadership.
• Capital project management and equipment upgrades.
• Production planning and inventory management.
• Operational performance KPI development and management.

Compensation Range: $90,000 - $120,000 + 7% Bonus

Benefits Offered:

• 2 weeks of vacation
• paid sick leave where applicable by state law
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance Vision Insurance
• 401K
• and Life Insurance.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers