Production Manager

Synthomer; Chester (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Discretionary bonus

LTIP

Company car

Healthcare

Parental leave

Flexible work

Learning & development

Wellbeing program

Pension plan

Culture of Inclusion

Global recognition programs

Job summary

Synthomer is seeking a Production Manager to lead day-to-day production activities and the Continuous Improvement organization at our Ohio, USA facility. You will report to the Plant Manager and supervise Shift Supervisors, Production Specialists and a Production Engineer, driving safety, quality and on-time delivery.

You will partner with technology and commercial teams to optimize processes, lead cost-effective operations, and develop plans aligned with plant and business goals while fostering

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Chemistry or Polymer Science or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in chemical plant manufacturing experience, monomer/reactive chemistry (preferred).
• Minimum 3 years in a Supervisory role.
• Conflict Resolution, Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Excellent cross functional collaboration and communication.
• Ability to practically implement continuous improvement principles (Lean, Six Sigma, Waste Reduction) and drive results.
• Ability to get results when there is no clear path or solution.
• Ability to strategize and determine where to focus when there are many competing issues/opportunities.
• Ability to change focus as needed and manage multiple projects at the same time.
• Strong planning and organization skills.
• Active listener with strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication skills to all functions at all levels.
• Ability to communicate and present both internally and externally to a diverse audience.
• Desire to grow into broader roles with additional responsibilities.
• Geographic mobility for future advancement

Responsibilities

• Oversee production operations and ensure cost-effective processes.
• Promote SHE compliance and safety culture.
• Lead, motivate and develop salaried and hourly staff.
• Partner with technology and commercial teams regularly.
• Plan manufacturing objectives aligned with plant goals and business strategies.
• Identify continuous improvement opportunities and drive results.

Skills

Conflict resolution

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Continuous improvement

Lean Six Sigma

Project management

Strategic thinking

Multi-project management

Planning & organization

Active listening

Interpersonal skills

Effective communication

Presenting to diverse audience

Geographic mobility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Chemistry or Polymer Science or related field

Job description

Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.

At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

The Production Manager will be responsible for managing day-to-day production activities as well as the Continuous Improvement organization. This position will report to the Plant Manager and have responsibilities for Shift Supervisors, Production Specialists, Production Engineer.

The Production Manager is responsible for promoting a workplace that has an unwavering commitment to safety, health and environmental (SHE) compliance; and encourages total employee involvement in continuous improvement initiatives. This position will partner with the technology team and the production teams on a regular basis, as well as interface with the business and commercial teams frequently. This role will oversee production operations, while assuring cost-effective processes that results in products of high quality and on-time delivery. Along with the responsibility for leading, motivating, and developing salaried (directly) and hourly (indirectly) workforces. This position must also establish plans and objectives for manufacturing that are consistent with plant and business goals and strategies.

The Production Manager will need to effectively utilize the expertise of their team and hold them accountable to supporting product/process improvement efforts as well as stable operations on a day-to-day basis. They must be agile and be able to quickly work with their teams to identify and resolve issues as well as identify opportunities and act to continuously improve results. They also must be able to effectively utilize the fundamentals of continuous improvement to identify opportunities in safety, productivity, and cost and drive results in these areas.

WHAT YOU’LL OWN IN THIS ROLE:

• Competitive, market-aligned compensation

• Discretionary global bonus scheme

• Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)– for senior positions

• Company car or car allowance– varies by region and role

• Healthcare – tailored to regional locations

• Parental leave and family support – maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)

• Working options – flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs

• Learning & development opportunities – training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers

• Wellbeing support – employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives

• Retirement / pension contributions – plans vary by country

• Culture of Inclusion – where everyone can thrive

• Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Chemistry or Polymer Science or related field

• Minimum 8 years of experience in chemical plant manufacturing experience, monomer/reactive chemistry (preferred)

• Minimum 3 years in a Supervisory role

• Conflict Resolution, Excellent problem-solving skills

• Excellent cross functional collaboration and communication

• Ability to practically implement continuous improvement principles (Lean, Six Sigma, Waste Reduction) and drive results

• Ability to get results when there is no clear path or solution

• Ability to strategize and determine where to focus when there are many competing issues/opportunities

• Ability to change focus as needed and manage multiple projects at the same time

• Strong planning and organization skills

• Active listener with strong interpersonal skills

• Excellent communication skills to all functions at all levels

• Ability to communicate and present both internally and externally to a diverse audience

• Desire to grow into broader roles with additional responsibilities

• Geographic mobility for future advancement

QUALIFICATIONS THAT WILL SET YOU APART:

• Experience with Reactive monomer chemistry

• Experience with latex chemistry

• Experience with Process Safety Management in high hazard processes

• Experience with RCMS & RC/ISO14001

• Certified Internal Auditor (Exemplar Global or ASQ Preferred)

• Previous experience working within ISO 9001 certified quality system

3rd Party Non-Solicitation

Synthomer and its affiliates and subsidiaries have an internal recruiting department. Synthomer may supplement that internal capability from time to time with assistance from temporary staffing agencies, placement services, and professional recruiters.Agencies are hereby specifically directed NOT to contact Synthomer employees directly in an attempt to present candidates – Synthomer’s recruiting team or other authorized Synthomer personnel must present ALL candidates to hiring managers. Agencies must obtain advance written approval from Synthomer’s recruiting function to submit resumes, and then only in conjunction with a valid fully-executed contract for service and in response to a specific job opening. Synthomer will not pay a fee to any agency that does not have such agreement in place.

Global Benefits Overview

• Competitive, market-aligned compensation

• Discretionary global bonus scheme

• Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)– for senior positions

• Company car or car allowance– varies by region and role

• Healthcare – tailored to regional locations

• Parental leave and family support – maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)

• Working options – flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs

• Learning & development opportunities – training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers

• Wellbeing support – employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives

• Retirement / pension contributions – plans vary by country

• Culture of Inclusion – where everyone can thrive

• Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes