Production Manager

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

Location: Chicago Heights, IL

About The Role

As the Production Manager, you will lead the formulation and packaging teams across all shifts at our Chicago Heights manufacturing facility, ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable execution of the production schedule. This highly visible leadership role is responsible for developing and mentoring engineers, supervisors and production personnel while partnering closely with HSE, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality and other Supply Chain teams to drive operational excellence.

You will play a critical role in ensuring world‑class safety performance, delivering quality products to our customers, improving plant productivity, and building a high‑performing manufacturing organization.

What You'll Be Doing

• 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 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Permit to Work systems, Lockout/Tagout (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 Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), schedule attainment (MPS%), 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.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Business, or a related technical discipline.
• 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.

Preferred qualifications include experience in chemical or agrochemical manufacturing, Process Safety Management (PSM), Lean Six Sigma methodologies, Apollo/ICAMA RCA facilitation, and operational excellence frameworks.

What We Offer

The base salary for this position ranges from $126,000 to $160,000 per year. Compensation is determined by several factors, including market location, and may vary based on job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience.

At Nufarm, we believe in total compensation. Depending on the position, additional forms of compensation may be included as part of a comprehensive package, alongside a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits.

Why Nufarm?

At Nufarm, you'll join a global organization committed to safety, sustainability, innovation, and operational excellence. You'll have the opportunity to lead a critical department of our global manufacturing operations, develop talented teams, and make a meaningful impact on the products that help growers around the world succeed.