Site Manager

Evonik España Y Portugal SA.; Michigan; On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading chemical manufacturing company in Michigan seeks an experienced Operations Manager to oversee the safety and health of employees and environmental protection. You will manage plant operations with a focus on compliance and efficiency, direct union workforce, and implement corporate initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's or Master's in Chemical Engineering, along with extensive experience in the chemical industry and supervisory roles. Strong leadership and problem-solving skills are essential. A commitment to the company's safety and sustainability goals is expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of manufacturing and managing chemical industry experience.
• 5–7 years of supervisory experience in leading people.
• Knowledge of a Silanes production process preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and health of employees and environment.
• Manage operations in compliance with regulations.
• Direct an hourly and salaried workforce.

Skills

Problem-solving

Environmental experience

Team building

Leadership

Cohesive teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (Chemical Engineering preferred)

MBA preferred

Tools

SAP

Six Sigma

Job description

Ensure the safety and health of all employees and contractors working in the plant as well as the protection of the environment. Consistently strive to improve EHS performance in a proactive manner by addressing leading indicators and utilizing innovative techniques and programs.

Manage all operations in compliance with federal, state and local regulations including OSHA requirements, air permitting, storm water, Large Quantity Generator (LQG) hazardous waste disposal, ethanol (TTB, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) handling and others. Ensure third‑party remediation efforts for the site are properly implemented and the long‑term operational/maintenance plan is addressed, securing the relationship with the remediator. Strive to meet and exceed Evonik’s safety and sustainability goals such as waste minimization, CO₂ reduction and reduction in water usage.

Optimize site operations, improving efficiencies, quality and process stability in order to address increased product demand and changes in product mix. Evaluate processes to realize additional market opportunities and increase overall EBITDA performance. Develop proposals for increasing site activities in support of business line and business segment goals and objectives.

Develop and oversee the expense budget annually with proposals to target long‑term objectives of EHS, facility growth, personnel development and reduction in fixed costs. Develop and oversee the capital budget ensuring compliance, expansion, rationalization and asset preservation, as the budget allows. Ensure all spending activities are conducted according to Evonik standards. Oversee and ensure efficient realization of larger, strategic CAPEX projects to meet business objectives.

Implement Evonik policies while ensuring full compliance and establish facility policies for all site personnel. Direct an hourly workforce represented by United Steel Workers union, which includes contract negotiations, resolution of disputes and development of personnel. Direct a salaried workforce ensuring consistent application of site protocol and development of personnel.

Support Marketing, Sales and Applied Technology efforts to increase market share and margin. Meet or exceed customer expectations and continually improve services. Optimize scheduling and inventory systems to reduce lead times and optimize net working capital. Ensure continuous improvement is part of the site culture and being realized to optimize production‑specific cost and improve efficiency.

Direct efforts to ensure corporate initiatives in the areas of EHSQ, IT, HR, Controlling, Procurement, PT, EPS are implemented and supported by all site personnel.

Represent Evonik as officer for Silbond Corporation and the site in local community awareness programs and state activities in order to enhance Evonik / Silbond’s reputation in the area. As part of leading the site, host visitors to the site approximately once a month.

REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Minimum Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (Chemical Engineering preferred)
• MBA preferred

Skills / Training

• Ability to provide solutions to complex process problems, which require the use of ingenuity and creativity
• Strong environmental experience is a plus
• Ability to drive change with team building experience
• Ability to work in a diverse environment and build strong interactions within the region and worldwide
• Strong leadership skills and ability to build cohesive and high‑performance teams
• Willingness to live locally, nearby plant

Experience

• 10 years of manufacturing and managing chemical industry experience or equivalent, ideally with exposure to Semiconductor or other highly regulated industries
• 5–7 years of supervisory experience in leading people
• Experience in optimizing team structure to ensure high level of organization health preferred
• Practical experience preferred in Six Sigma, ideally Master Black Belt
• Plant management with Union experience would be a plus
• Knowledge of SAP, accounting is a plus
• Knowledge of a Silanes production process would be preferred

The Evonik Group adopts an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) approach. Candidates are assessed based on their educational qualifications, experience, job competencies and potential and shall not be discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, nationality, disability or sexual orientation or other classifications protected by local, state, or provincial regulations.