Production Supervisor

Solenis; Suffolk (VA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Solenis is seeking a VFA Shift Supervisor to lead a 12-hour rotating shift, starting with a Monday–Friday daytime schedule for 1–2 years, then rotating. You will manage 4–6 direct reports and collaborate across Maintenance, Lab, Engineering, Material Handling and Planning to hit production targets.

The role emphasizes safety, environmental performance, and continuous improvement, with a path to grow within a global chemical manufacturing company.

Qualifications

• BS Degree in Chemical Engineering with 3+ years experience in chemical manufacturing.
• Or High School Diploma with 8+ years experience in chemical manufacturing.
• Must be able to perform physical activities including climbing stairs, prolonged walking, and bending.
• Strong knowledge of hazardous chemical handling.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead teams and communicate across multiple departments.

Responsibilities

• Lead production activities for the assigned shift, providing technical guidance during commissioning and routine operations, resolving process-related issues, and developing operator capabilities.
• Assist in all commissioning and startup activities on the new plant, including hiring of all process operators, implementing commissioning plans, participating/leading trainings, documenting safe work practices, and assisting in development of work rhythms of new plant.
• Foster employee growth through training, coaching, and succession development to build a highly skilled and engaged shift.
• Become certified permit writer to support permits during daily shift, including Safe Work, Hot Work and Line Break of High Hazard material.
• Troubleshoot process and equipment operability/quality issues, identify root causes, and propose solutions.
• Monitor team performance and provide coaching and corrective action when needed.
• Support operator training, new equipment startup, and team development.
• Promote and reinforce a strong Safety-First Culture across all operations.
• Be able to make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Be actively involved in EHS programs, site audits, safety committees, job safety analyses, and other site safety programs.
• Create process orders and maintenance work orders within SAP.
• Conduct routine rounds and actively participate in shift turnover.

Skills

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Team leadership

Safety awareness

Education

BS Degree in Chemical Engineering

High School Diploma with 8+ years in chemical manufacturing

Tools

Microsoft Office

SAP

Distributed Control Systems/PLCs (DeltaV)

Data Historians

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 visit www.solenis.com or follow us on social media.

The VFA Shift Supervisor will serve as the technical and operational leader for an assigned shift, by utilizing technical expertise and operations experience to support safe and efficient production. This role will manage and develop a team of roughly four to six direct reports and work closely with other shifts and site departments such as: Maintenance, Lab, Engineering, Material Handling and Planning to drive continuous improvement, maximize equipment performance, and ensure production targets are met. The position is responsible for meeting production goals through strong leadership, sound technical decision‑making, and a commitment to continuous improvement, safety, and environmental performance.

This role will support the commissioning and startup of a new plant on site. While the role will eventually transition to a rotating 12‑hour shift schedule, the first 1–2 years will be worked on a Monday–Friday daytime schedule.

Principal Accountabilities

• Lead production activities for the assigned shift, providing technical guidance during commissioning and routine operations, resolving process‑related issues, and developing operator capabilities.
• Assist in all commissioning and startup activities on the new plant, including hiring of all process operators, implementing commissioning plans, participating/leading trainings, documenting safe work practices, and assisting in development of work rhythms of new plant.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for fostering employee growth through training, coaching, and succession development to build a highly skilled and engaged shift.
• Become certified permit writer to support permits during daily shift, including Safe Work, Hot Work and Line Break of High Hazard material.
• Troubleshoot process and equipment operability/quality issues, identify root causes, and propose solutions.
• Monitor team performance and provide coaching and corrective action when needed.
• Support operator training, new equipment startup, and team development.
• Promote and reinforce a strong Safety‑First Culture across all operations.
• Be able to make sound decisions in a fast‑paced environment.
• Become actively involved in EHS programs, site audits, safety committees, job safety analyses, and other site safety programs.
• Create process orders and maintenance work orders within SAP.
• Conduct routine rounds and actively participate in shift turnover.

Success Criteria

• Strives to establish and maintain trust, rapport and respect with all levels of the organization including operators, engineers, maintenance technicians, technical staff, and management.
• Can recognize safety hazards and coach employees in safe work practices to support a zero‑incident mindset for self and others.
• Ensures plant is operated to meet productivity/quality targets, ensuring all safety procedures are followed.
• Achieves production goals.
• Can thrive within a very fast paced, commercially driven environment.
• Has a full working knowledge of the equipment and processes associated with the plant, offload operations, and packaging.
• Understands and operates within Federal and State regulations pertaining to safety and environmental requirements (EPA programs, RCRA and DOT) and OSHA.
• Maintains high standards of housekeeping in work area.
• Be willing to join emergency response team and Incident Command training.
• Stay clean‑shaven for respirator usage.

Qualifications

• BS Degree in Chemical Engineering with 3+ years experience working in a chemical manufacturing environment.

OR

• High School Diploma with 8+ years experience working in a chemical manufacturing environment.
• Must be able to perform physical activities including climbing stairs, prolonged walking, and bending as needed.
• Strong knowledge of hazardous chemical handling.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to follow direction, lead teams, and communicate across multiple departments.

Preferred Knowledge/skills

• Deep understanding and experience with chemical manufacturing process equipment including reactors, distillation columns, and automation.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, SAP, Distributed Control Systems/PLCs (DeltaV), and Data Historians.

Onsite

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…

The expected compensation range for this position is between $77,270.00 and $113,322.00 plus discretionary bonuses. The exact compensation may vary based on your skills, experience and other factors permitted by law.