Senior Director of Manufacturing

Sterling Specialty Chemicals, LLC; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Specialty Chemicals, LLC seeks a Director of Manufacturing to provide leadership and operational oversight across eight chemical manufacturing facilities—four under SSC and four under Sterling Multi-Chem, including one site in Saudi Arabia. This is a high-visibility, multi-site role demanding travel and hands-on leadership.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years in chemical manufacturing, with strong expertise in polymers, surfactants, and formulations, and a proven ability to drive safety,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related technical field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive chemical manufacturing experience; 15+ years preferred.
• Strong technical proficiency in polymers, surfactants, specialty chemicals, and processing operations.
• Proven ability to lead chemists, engineers, and technical teams.
• Significant leadership oversight of plant operations and multiple facilities.
• Track record of operational improvements, high-performing teams, and measurable results.
• Experience with safety, environmental compliance, and cost management.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across eight chemical manufacturing facilities.
• Lead, mentor, and develop plant managers and leadership teams.
• Apply technical knowledge of polymers, surfactants, and formulations to support operations.
• Drive safety, quality, productivity, equipment reliability, and cost management.
• Establish and monitor KPIs, budgets, and performance objectives across facilities.
• Collaborate with Engineering, R&D, Quality, and EHS to optimize processes and ensure compliance.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and standardization.
• Maintain hands-on presence at facilities and engage with teams.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Multi-site management

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or closely related technical discipline

Tools

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, energetic, and technically proficient Director of Manufacturing to provide leadership and operational oversight across eight chemical manufacturing facilities, including four plants under Sterling Specialty Chemicals (SSC) and four under Sterling Multi-Chem (SMC), one of which is located in Saudi Arabia.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in chemical manufacturing, particularly polymers, surfactants, specialty chemicals, and chemical formulations. This individual must combine strong technical knowledge with exceptional leadership skills and a hands‑on approach to managing multi-site manufacturing operations.

This is a highly visible leadership role requiring significant domestic and international travel, strong engagement with plant leadership, and a demonstrated ability to drive operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across eight chemical manufacturing facilities, ensuring consistent performance, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Lead, mentor, and develop plant managers and manufacturing leadership teams.
• Apply strong technical knowledge of polymers, surfactants, chemical formulations, and manufacturing processes to support operations and resolve complex production challenges.
• Drive improvements in safety, quality, productivity, equipment reliability, manufacturing efficiency, and cost management.
• Establish and monitor operational KPIs, budgets, and performance objectives across all facilities.
• Partner with Engineering, R&D, Quality, and EHS to optimize chemical manufacturing processes, troubleshoot technical issues, and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement, process standardization, and operational efficiencies.
• Maintain a strong, hands‑on presence at manufacturing facilities, actively engaging with employees and plant leadership.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.

Education, Qualifications & Experience

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related technical discipline. Other engineering degrees may be considered with extensive specialty chemical manufacturing experience.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive chemical manufacturing experience; 15+ years strongly preferred.
• Strong technical proficiency in polymers, surfactants, specialty chemical formulations, and chemical processing operations.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with chemists, chemical engineers, and technical teams regarding complex chemical manufacturing processes.
• Significant manufacturing leadership experience, including oversight of plant operations, plant managers, or multiple manufacturing facilities.
• Proven success in driving operational improvements, developing high-performing teams, and delivering measurable results.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing safety, environmental compliance, process optimization, and cost management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively, both domestically and internationally, including Saudi Arabia.

Preferred:

• 15+ years of chemical manufacturing experience with at least five years in senior plant or multi-site manufacturing leadership.
• Direct experience in polymer manufacturing, surfactants, specialty chemicals, batch processing, or chemical blending.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a high-energy, hands‑on leader who understands the chemistry behind the manufacturing process. This individual must be technically credible, comfortable discussing complex chemical processes with chemists and engineers, and capable of leading plant managers across multiple locations.

The successful candidate will be proactive, results‑driven, and willing to spend significant time in our manufacturing facilities, building relationships, developing teams, and driving operational improvements.

This is not simply an operational oversight role. We need a leader who brings deep chemical manufacturing expertise, strong leadership capabilities, and the energy and commitment to drive results across all eight facilities.