Manufacturing Technology Manager
Manufacturing Technology & Process Improvement Manager
An established specialty chemicals manufacturer is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Technology & Process Improvement Manager to provide technical leadership and drive operational excellence within a complex chemical production environment.
This individual will serve as a key manufacturing subject matter expert, leveraging deep process knowledge to improve product quality, process consistency, throughput, and customer satisfaction. The role requires a hands-on leader who can manage technical teams, lead cross-functional initiatives, and translate data-driven insights into sustainable operational improvements.
The position is responsible for overseeing process engineering resources, executing manufacturing improvement projects, and supporting the transfer and implementation of new products and technologies. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with Operations, Quality, Engineering, and R&D teams to align improvement efforts with business priorities while ensuring long-term process stability and performance.
This role also works with manufacturing sites and technical teams across multiple global regions to share best practices, support technology deployment, and standardize operational excellence initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Manufacturing & Process Improvement
- Lead strategic manufacturing improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, cost reduction, and customer requirements.
- Develop and execute process optimization projects that deliver measurable and sustainable business results.
- Partner with Engineering, Quality, and Product Development teams to support successful product introductions and process scale-up activities.
- Utilize Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Statistical Process Control (SPC), and data analysis methodologies to identify and eliminate process variation.
- Drive continuous improvement efforts through root cause analysis, process capability evaluation, and performance monitoring.
- Ensure manufacturing processes consistently meet customer specifications and operational requirements.
- Establish best practices and standardized operating methodologies across production operations.
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of process engineers and manufacturing professionals.
- Foster a culture centered on safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
- Serve as a member of the site leadership team, contributing to business planning and achievement of key operational objectives.
- Support organizational change initiatives and promote employee engagement in improvement programs.
- Provide technical guidance and coaching to manufacturing personnel on process optimization tools and methodologies.
Technical Excellence
- Monitor and evaluate key manufacturing performance indicators.
- Interpret process and production data to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Support troubleshooting efforts and lead resolution of complex manufacturing challenges.
- Maintain oversight of process documentation, operating standards, and technical reports.
- Contribute to strategic planning, project reviews, and business performance discussions.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline.
- Demonstrated experience leading process improvement initiatives within a chemical manufacturing environment.
- Six Sigma Green Belt certification or equivalent continuous improvement training.
- Proven record of applying structured problem-solving methodologies to achieve measurable operational improvements.
- Experience with polymer processing, specialty chemicals, reaction processes, quality systems, and manufacturing operations.
- Strong understanding of industrial process equipment, material handling systems, and plant operations.
- Working knowledge of process safety standards, P&ID interpretation, and environmental compliance requirements.
- Hands-on experience supporting equipment reliability, preventive maintenance programs, and process troubleshooting.
- Strong leadership, project management, and decision-making capabilities.
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree or other advanced technical degree.
- Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
- Experience in specialty polymers, functional materials, or advanced chemical manufacturing processes.
- Exposure to large-scale continuous improvement programs within multi-site manufacturing organizations.
FAQs
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