Production Manager

Solenis LLC; Suffolk (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Medical, dental, vision

401K

Job summary

Solenis is seeking an experienced Operations professional to oversee daily manufacturing activities within the Operations department, ensuring production targets are met safely, timely, and cost‑effectively. You will lead shift teams, drive accountability, and support lean initiatives.

Responsibilities include maintaining KPI performance, coordinating with Maintenance, Engineering and Process Technology, and ensuring compliance with EH&S policies.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or equivalent.
• 5+ years of chemical manufacturing experience.
• 3+ years supervising direct reports.
• PSM experience preferred.
• Preference for experience in batch manufacturing of Emulsions, Liquid Dispersions, Solution polymers and/or Monomers

Responsibilities

• Monitor and manage production to hit KPI targets, safety, quality and cost metrics.
• Lead operators and shift teams, ensuring proper staffing and training.
• Coordinate with Maintenance, Engineering, Process Technology, and other support departments.
• Participate in RCA investigations, MOC, PSSR, and Process Hazard Analyses (PHA).
• Support capital and expense project execution from startup through commissioning.
• Provide technical guidance and leadership for shifts and operations during nights, weekends, and holidays.

Skills

Plant efficiency

Process safety

Multi-tasking

Team leadership

Plant modifications

Cross-functional

Office & SAP tools

Root cause analysis

Troubleshooting

Communication

Education

B.S. in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry

Tools

SAP

Velocity

PI

Job description

Solenis is a leading global provider of water and hygiene solutions. The company's product portfolio includes a broad array of water treatment chemistries, process aids, functional additives, cleaners, disinfectants, and state-of-the-art monitoring, control and delivery systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets, minimize environmental impact, and create cleaner and safer environments. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 78 manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and employs a team of over ~23000 professionals in >160 countries across six continents. Solenis is a 2025 Best Managed Company Gold Standard honoree.

For additional information about Solenis, please visitwww.solenis.comor follow us on social media.

This job exists to provide oversight into the daily manufacturing activities within the Operations department to meet required production in a safe, timely and cost-effective manner. This includes compliance with all EH&S policies, guidelines, plant redesign and modifications, regulations, and a role model for a safe and productive focused culture. This includes leading people and driving accountability to achieve or exceed established performance targets related to accountability, productivity, compliance and cost.

The regular work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the expectation of being available on call for nights, weekends, and holidays when required.

• Monitor all aspects of production to achieve KPI's and support lean initiatives, safety performance, regulatory compliance, waste reduction, operator training and operating cost.
• Ensure capital and expense projects are designed to meet operational needs.
• Ensure the scope development as defined by project managers, process chemists/engineers, process technology, and technical department are compliant with Operation's requirements from startup through commissioning (incl. plant design, sequence development, new product introductions, waste minimization, cycle time, optimization and asset effectiveness improvements).
• Participate in or lead RCA investigations, management of change, PSSR's, and participate in PHA's.
• Recruit and ensuring each plant is staffed with trained operators to achieve the production requirements.
• Facilitate the Operator Progression plan to ensure operators are cross trained to meet the production demand across the site and the program is evergreen.
• Support troubleshooting and equipment operability issues, identify root causes, and seek sustainable solutions for ongoing issues and improvement opportunities.
• Provide leadership, technical support and guidance for Shift Supervisors and Operators to meet the production requirements and maintain training needs.
• Provide support and guidance for Operations during nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to fill in for the Operations Manager and Shift Supervisors.
• Participation in PSM/RMP and EHS auditing processes.

Knowledge / Skills

• Experience in plant efficiency, automation, and equipment redesign
• Experience in Process Safety Management at a regulated manufacturing site
• Ability to multi-task and lead team members with multiple disciplines
• Ability to manage / motivate people and redirect efforts to meet objectives.
• Project support/member for plant modifications, PSSR, PHA and change management.
• Ability to work well with manufacturing support departments (i.e., Maintenance, Engineering, Process Reliability, Process Technology, A & QC, Warehousing, planning).
• Working knowledge of Microsoft office programs and computer management systems such as PI, SAP & Velocity systems.
• Self-motivated with strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to set priorities. Understanding of batch process operations, reactions, and distillation.
• Experienced with Root Cause Analysis and process optimization.
• Excellent written and oral communications and the ability to use standard PC based software

• applications such as spread sheets, power point, or word processing programs.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or equivalent
• 5+ years of experience in chemical manufacturing preferred
• 3+ years supervising direct reports.
• PSM experience preferred.
• Preference for experience in batch manufacturing of Emulsions, Liquid Dispersions, Solution polymers and/or Monomers

Success Criteria

• Hands on / multi-tasking manager willing to join when necessary.
• Ability to recognize hazards and change behaviors to support a Zero incident mindset for self and
• others.
• Achieving stated cycle times for various products in accordance with the production schedule,
• while maintaining safety, quality, and productivity rates
• Ability to operate within a high paced team,
• Have a full working knowledge of the equipment and processes associated with the plant and packaging.
• Pursue all aspects of waste minimization to ensure products are properly disposition and
• understand the waste process to manage generation as regulated.
  • Ability to understand and operate production lines within Federal and State regulations pertaining to Waste management (EPA programs, RCRA and DOT) and OSHA

We understand that candidates will not meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you.

At Solenis, we understand that our greatest asset is our people. That is why we offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits which include medical, dental, vision & 401K, and numerous opportunities for professional growth and development. So, if you are interested in working for a world-class company and enjoy solving complex challenges, whether in the lab or the field, consider joining our team.

Solenis is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Aff…

Should you require assistance in applying to this opportunity, please reach out to Solenis Talent Acquisition at [e-mail]

The expected compensation range for this position is between $84,980.00 and $124,630.00 plus discretionary bonuses. The exact compensation may vary based on your skills, experience and other factors permitted by law.