Senior Manufacturing Manager

Unilever; Jefferson City (MO); On-site; USD 119,000 - 179,000; Full time

Job summary

Unilever in Jefferson City, Missouri, seeks a Manufacturing Manager – Processing to lead our automated Personal Care Liquids and Betaines facilities. You will report to the Factory Director and oversee a team of Manufacturing Business Leads, Supervisors, and frontline personnel, ensuring safety, quality, and operational performance.

This role emphasizes lean practices, 24/7 operations readiness, and collaboration with Supply Chain, Engineering, and Quality to achieve productivity and cost

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a complex environment.
• Proven success leading large teams and delivering operational results through others.
• Experience driving safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to analyze performance, solve complex problems, and execute strategic plans.
• Demonstrated ability to influence across functions and lead through periods of transformation and change.
• Exceptional communication, coaching, and team development skills.
• Flexibility to support a 24/7 manufacturing operation as business needs require.

Responsibilities

• Champion an industry-leading safety culture, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and site safety programs, including Process Safety Management (PSM), LOTO, risk assessments, and environmental standards.
• Drive world‑class quality and manufacturing excellence through standardized work, capability building, and operational discipline.
• Deliver operational reliability, efficiency, productivity, and cost targets through Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS) principles.
• Partner with global stakeholders across the Betaines network to optimize planning, feedstock procurement, inventory, and distribution strategies.
• Own key performance metrics including productivity, asset utilization, operational waste, batch cycle performance, quality, cost, and service.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and focused improvement projects that unlock efficiency and growth.
• Partner closely with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Procurement, and Planning teams to achieve factory and business objectives.
• Develop, coach, and inspire leaders and frontline teams to achieve their full potential.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Strengthen organizational capability through effective hiring, talent development, succession planning, and performance management.

Skills

Leadership

Safety

Quality

Productivity

Strategic thinking

Communication

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related STEM

Job description

Job Purpose

At Unilever, our products reach billions of people every day through trusted brands that make everyday life better. We’re looking for an exceptional Manufacturing Manager – Processing to help lead one of our most strategic manufacturing operations in North America.

Based in Jefferson City, Missouri—Unilever’s largest BW & PC manufacturing facility in North America—this role offers a unique opportunity to lead both our highly automated Personal Care Liquids operation and a groundbreaking new Betaines facility. Reporting directly to the Factory Director, you’ll lead a talented team of Manufacturing Business Leads, Supervisors, Area Leads, and frontline manufacturing professionals. You will be accountable for safety, quality, productivity, people development, and operational performance across both Processing and the new Betaines operation.

Key Deliverables

Lead Safe, Reliable & High-Performing Operations

• Champion an industry-leading safety culture, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements and site safety programs, including Process Safety Management (PSM), LOTO, risk assessments, and environmental standards.
• Drive world‑class quality and manufacturing excellence through standardized work, capability building, and operational discipline.
• Deliver operational reliability, efficiency, productivity, and cost targets through Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS) principles.

Shape the Future of Our Betaines Business

• Partner with global stakeholders across the Betaines network to optimize planning, feedstock procurement, inventory, and distribution strategies.

Deliver Business Results

• Own key performance metrics including productivity, asset utilization, operational waste, batch cycle performance, quality, cost, and service.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and focused improvement projects that unlock efficiency and growth.
• Partner closely with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Procurement, and Planning teams to achieve factory and business objectives.

Leadership

• Develop, coach, and inspire leaders and frontline teams to achieve their full potential.
• Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Strengthen organizational capability through effective hiring, talent development, succession planning, and performance management.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, Engineering or a related STEM discipline preferred.
• 7-10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a complex manufacturing, chemical processing, consumer products, food, beverage, pharmaceutical, or similar environment.
• Proven success leading large teams and delivering operational results through others.
• Experience driving safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to analyze performance, solve complex problems, and execute strategic plans.
• Demonstrated ability to influence across functions and lead through periods of transformation and change.
• Exceptional communication, coaching, and team development skills.
• Flexibility to support a 24/7 manufacturing operation as business needs require.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $119,400 to $179,000. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.

Bonus:

This position is bonus eligible.

Long-Term Incentive (LTI):

This position is LTI eligible.

Benefits

Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

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At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.

Unilever Is An Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons With Disabilities.

For more information on your federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.