Senior Director, Manufacturing Operations

RiseMe; Wickliffe (OH); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary with bonus plan

401(k) match

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Lubrizol is seeking a Senior Americas Manufacturing Operations Director to lead six facilities across the United States and Brazil, overseeing over 1,000 employees and an operating budget above $180M with $30–$40M yearly capital investments.

You will drive safety, quality, delivery, and productivity while partnering with Plant Managers to push continuous improvement, asset reliability, and standard work across the region. Travel across the US and Brazil is expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, or advanced degree in Chemistry paired with significant chemical manufacturing experience.
• Minimum 10 years manufacturing leadership in the chemical industry.
• Previous Plant Manager roles and matrix-organization experience.
• Excellent communication and networking skills.
• Regular site visits in the US and Brazil.

Responsibilities

• Represent six manufacturing plants on the global manufacturing team and regional business team.
• Lead the Americas team to develop a strategy for improvement and ensure results.
• Drive safety culture and implement process safety standards across facilities.
• Ensure environmental regulatory compliance across operations.
• Manage regional OPEX >$180M and CAPEX $30–$40M/year.
• Improve asset reliability and OEE performance across plants.
• Lead talent reviews and succession planning; promote standard work.
• Strengthen supply chain links and drive cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Team development

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering

Advanced degree in Chemistry

Job description

Location: Greater Cleveland, OH Job Type: Full-Time(4 days on site, 1 day remote) Travel Requirments: ~50%

Shape the Future with Us.

At Lubrizol, we’re bringing to life the chemistry behind clean water, efficient transportation, reliable infrastructure, critical medicines, and the products people rely on every day through science, sustainability, and a culture of inclusion. As part of our global team, you’ll be empowered to make a real impact - on your career, your community, and the world around you. The SeniorAmericas Manufacturing Operations Director leads one of Lubrizol Additives' largest and most complex manufacturing organizations, with responsibility for over 1,000 employees across six strategically critical facilities in the United States and Brazil. Charged with ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations, this leader drives performance across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, capital investment, and continuous improvement. With direct oversight of Plant Managers and stewardship of an operating budget exceeding $180M and annual capital investments of $30-40M, the role is instrumental in enabling business growth, strengthening customer supply reliability, and building a high-performing manufacturing culture throughout the region.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Represent six manufacturing plants on the global manufacturing team and regional business team.
• Act as a partner for business and commercial teams using a collaborative approach.
• Cascade the vision for operations and lead the Americas team to develop a strategy for improvement. Prioritize actions and ensure results are achieved.
• Develop a culture of commitment to safety and risk reduction to reduce OSHA recordables, lost time accidents and process safety incidents year on year. Provide leadership for the implementation of process safety standards across facilities.
• Ensure manufacturing operations comply with all environmental regulatory requirements.
• Manage a regional OPEX budget >$180M and identify opportunities to reduce costs without impacting performance.
• Manage a capital budget $30-40M/year and support the plants to ensure projects are implemented on time and on budget.
• Work with Plant Managers to identify and implement productivity improvements.
• Lead the team to improve asset reliability with a focus on OEE performance.
• Support plants to drive improvement in mechanical integrity and planned maintenance performance.
• Create a quality culture focused on reducing non-conforming and non-working slow moving materials.
• Build a continuous improvement mindset from the shop floor to site leadership teams.
• Focus on developing and recognizing our people so they are fully engaged to achieve results.
• Lead and support talent reviews and succession planning.
• Promote leader standard work to make sure plant leadership is visible and engage with front line operators.
• Create opportunities for plant teams to share best practices, establish communication links and drive towards standardization.
• Establish, monitor & improve key manufacturing metrics across the plants.
• Build strong relationships throughout operations to ensure teams are well connected and focused on delivering product to customers on time. Be highly connected and communicative with supply chain, procurement & process technology.
• Set the example for how an operationally centric and highly engaged leader behaves.

Required Qualifications that Enable Your Success

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, or advanced degree in Chemistry paired with significant chemical manufacturing experience.
• Minimum 10 years manufacturing leadership in the chemical industry
• Previous Plant Manager roles.
• Experienced at driving team development and performance, ensuring a high level of employee engagement.
• Demonstrated success delivering results in a matrix organization.
• Excellent communication and networking skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills as well as facilitation experience.
• Self-motivated, proactive with the ability to multi-task and work in a fast paced, “high energy”, team-oriented environment.
• Must demonstrate enthusiasm, a sense of urgency, attention to detail, commitment and follow-through while maintaining confidentiality and meeting deadlines.
• Regular site visits in the US and Brazil, plus team meetings at other global locations.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Experience in large multinational chemicals environment and working globally.
• Experience with lubricant additive manufacture.
• Experience at managing different manufacturing facilities/technologies.
• Experience in supply chain or product management.
• Experience at inspiring/leading large teams.

Your Work Environment

At Lubrizol, we’re committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment where you can do your best work—whether in a lab, on the production floor, or in a hybrid office setting. Depending on your role, your work environment may include:

• Standing, walking, or operating equipment for extended periods.
• Working in a lab or manufacturing setting with appropriate PPE provided.
• Use of computers and digital tools in an office or hybrid environment.
• Occasional lifting or movement of materials.
• Adherence to rigorous safety protocols and ergonomic standards.

We continuously invest in our facilities and technologies to ensure they support your well-being, productivity, and growth. If you require reasonable accommodation, we are committed to working with you to ensure an inclusive and accessible experience.

Benefits that Empower You

• Competitive salary with performance-based bonus plans
• 401(k) match + Age-Weighted Defined Contribution
• Comprehensive medical, dental & vision coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Paid holidays, vacation, and parental leave
• Flexible work environment
• Learning and development opportunities
• Career and professional growth
• Inclusive culture and vibrant community engagement
  Learn more at benefits.lubrizol.com!

Lubrizol: Imagined for Life. Enabled by Science.

Delivered by You.

For nearly 100 years, The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, has been at the forefront of innovation to enhance everyday life, advance mobility, and make the modern world work better. Our specialty chemistry solutions—from engine oils, performance coatings, and skincare to medical devices and plumbing systems —are powered by the expertise, passion, and commitment of people like you.

We tackle the world’s toughest challenges with science-based solutions, deeply understanding our customers to deliver innovative chemistry and differentiated value. Our inclusive culture, dedication to safety, and incredible global talent drive our success. Our solutions meet the evolving needs of the modern world—brought to life by science and, most importantly, delivered by you.

Whether you're in the lab, on the production floor, or in the office, you'll be part of a team around the world that empowers you to think boldly, drive results, and contribute to solutions that shape a better, more sustainable future.

We win because of you. Let’s build the future together.

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