Production Manager

EMS-CHEMIE (Business Unit EMS-GRIVORY); Sumter (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

EMS-Chemie, within the Polyamides (EMS-GRIVORY) unit, seeks a seasoned Polymerization Production Manager for nylon resins. You will lead 4 shift supervisors and 12 technicians, oversee safe, efficient polymerization and finishing operations, and partner with quality and maintenance teams to ensure product integrity.

The role requires extensive experience in polyamide polymerization, strong EI, and the ability to mentor a diverse operations staff across a 24/7 site in Sumter, SC.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in polyamide resin production (polymerization).
• Minimum 3 years of Supervisory/Management Experience.
• Hands-on experience with batch polymerization and melt finishing.
• Strong working knowledge of polymerization chemistry and process control.
• Strong general computer skills and the ability to learn new software systems.
• Strong technical troubleshooting skills.
• Experience conducting data analysis and reporting.
• Team player.
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Ability to deal with all levels of internal and external stakeholders including local employees, site and business leaders, contract service providers, and vendors.
• Fluency in written and oral English.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills.
• Comfortable working on the plant floor, in the control room and within an office.

Responsibilities

• Within the approved limits of authority, company policies and budgets, ensure safe, cost-efficient production of neat specialty polyamides and plant materials.
• Own day-to-day safety execution for a polymerization asset, including operating discipline, MOC, and incident investigations.
• Ensure safe handling of diamines, diacids, additives, and hot polymer melts.
• Lead toolbox talks, Job Safety Analyses, and field safety observations.
• Maintain strong compliance with OSHA and environmental regulations.
• Ensure resin meets specifications for RV/MVI/viscosity, color, moisture, inclusions, gels, and mechanical properties.
• Work with Quality and Lab on root cause analysis of quality deviations.
• Support new nylon grades, customer trials, and process changes.
• Lead daily nylon polymerization operations including salt preparation, polymerization, finishing, and material handling.
• Troubleshoot process, mechanical, and quality issues within the department.
• Ensure proper execution of batch recipes, operating parameters, and grade changeovers.
• Monitor critical process variables (temperature, pressure, residence time, toque, water content).
• Support start-ups, shutdowns, and upset recovery in a small crew environment.
• Directly supervise operators and shift supervisors in a lean 24/7 staffing environment.
• Train operators on polymerization fundamentals, equipment operation, and abnormal condition response.
• Set expectations for safety performance, operating discipline, and housekeeping standards.
• Serve as first escalation point for technical and operational issues.
• Work with maintenance to diagnose equipment failures and recurring issues.
• Support planning and execution of maintenance activities.
• Drive improvements in yield, cycle time, energy use, and product quality/consistency.
• Lead small-scale capital and debottlenecking projects typical of a small site.
• Reduce rework, waste, and off-spec generation.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Problem solving

English fluency

Data analysis

OSHA compliance

Troubleshooting

Computer skills

Stakeholder management

Time management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor's Degree in Polymer Engineering

Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry

Tools

DCS/PLC control

Job description

EMS-Chemie engages in the manufacture and distribution of polymers and other chemicals. Our Polyamides (Business Unit EMS-GRIVORY) are used in applications in the market segments of automotive, industrial and consumer goods, electronics, healthcare, optics and packaging...products you are using in everyday life.

About the Role

*Must have experience in polyamide resin production (polymerization) to be considered.

Due to retirement we are looking for a proven manager to lead our polymerization production team. We are looking for someone with strong Emotional Intelligence that knows how to work with all levels from C-suite to frontline staff. This position will directly supervise (4) shift supervisors and (12) Polymerization Operating Technicians. We prefer local candidates from the Sumter SC area, however will consider relocation aid for the right candidate.

The Polymerization Production Manager – Nylon Resins

is a hands-on technical leader responsible for the safe, efficient, and consistent operation of nylon polymerization and finishing processes in a small manufacturing facility. This role combines direct involvement in reactor operations, troubleshooting, and process optimization with front-line leadership of operators and technicians. The manager serves as the site’s primary technical resource for nylon polymerization.

Responsibilities

• Within the approved limits of authority, company policies and budgets, this position is responsible for the safe, cost-efficient production, of neat specialty polyamides, and plant materials and equipment.
• Safety
• Own day-to-day safety execution for a polymerization asset, including operating discipline, MOC, and incident investigations.
• Ensure safe handling of diamines, diacids, additives, and hot polymer melts.
• Lead toolbox talks, Job Safety Analyses, and field safety observations.
• Maintain strong compliance with OSHA and environmental regulations.
• Quality & Product Performance
• Ensure resin meets specifications for RV/MVI/viscosity, color, moisture, inclusions, gels, and mechanical properties.
• Work directly with Quality and Lab personnel on root cause analysis of quality deviations.
• Support new nylon grades, customer trials, and process changes.
• Operations Leadership
• Lead daily nylon polymerization operations including salt preparation, polymerization, finishing, and material handling.
• Actively troubleshoot process, mechanical, and quality issues within the department.
• Ensure proper execution of batch recipes, operating parameters, and grade changeovers.
• Monitor critical process variables (temperature, pressure, residence time, toque, water content).
• Support start-ups, shutdowns, and upset recovery in a small crew environment.
• Directly supervise operators and shift supervisors in a lean 24/7 staffing environment.
• Train operators on polymerization fundamentals, equipment operation, and abnormal condition response.
• Set expectations for safety performance, operating discipline, and housekeeping standards.
• Serve as first escalation point for technical and operational issues.
• Maintenance and Reliability Support
• Work closely with the maintenance team in the diagnosis of equipment failures or recurring reliability issues.
• Support planning and execution of maintenance activities.
• Drive practical improvements in yield, cycle time, energy use, and product quality/consistency.
• Lead small-scale capital and debottlenecking projects typical of a small site.
• Reduce rework, waste, and off-spec generation in the production process.

Qualifications

Required:

• Knowledge of Quality Management Systems
• Minimum 10 years of experience in polyamide resin production (polymerization)
• Minimum 3 years of Supervisory/Management Experience
• Proven hands-on experience with batch polymerization and melt finishing
• Strong working knowledge of polymerization chemistry and process control
• Strong general computer skills and the ability to learn new software systems
• Strong technical troubleshooting skills
• Experience conducting data analysis and reporting
• Team player
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Ability to deal with all levels of internal and external stakeholders including local employees, site and business leaders, contract service providers, and vendors
• Fluency in written and oral English
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills
• Comfortable working on the plant floor, in the control room and within an office.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, or Chemistry.
• Experience with small-plant operations where leaders are directly involved in troubleshooting
• Experience with DCS or PLC controlled polymerization systems
• Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma exposure