Production Manager

OXEA Corporation Company Overview | World leader in Oxo Chemicals

Oxo products are the core competency of OXEA Corporation. We are producing more than 70 oxo intermediates and oxo derivatives for customers in a wide range of industries with various end market applications. Our chemicals are important ingredients in products that are used in daily life around the world. "We" refers to more than 1,200 OXEA employees worldwide. At our plants in Germany, the USA, and China, we produce intermediates and derivatives.

Job Purpose  

This position is responsible for driving the safe, reliable, high-quality, and efficient operation of the production facility by fostering a culture of process safety, operational discipline, continuous improvement, employee engagement, and environmental stewardship. Ensures compliance with all regulatory and company requirements while optimizing plant reliability, productivity, quality, and cost performance to support the long-term success of the facility.

Leads and develops the Production Team through effective planning, coordination, coaching, talent development, accountability, and performance management to achieve operational excellence and business objectives.

Partners closely with Maintenance, Reliability, Technical Services, HSE, Supply Chain, and other cross-functional teams to drive process safety excellence, asset reliability, operational effectiveness, and cost competitiveness. Provides leadership in the development and execution of production strategies, operational improvement initiatives, workforce capability development, and capital project support to ensure sustainable business performance and organizational growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Provides leadership for safe, environmentally responsible manufacturing operations by maintaining effective Health, Safety, Environmental, and Process Safety Management (PSM) programs, including compliance with operating permits and Conduct of Operations principles.
• Leads, develops, coaches, and holds accountable a high-performing production team by ensuring employees are properly trained, qualified, and supported through consistent application of company policies and performance management practices.
• Accountable for achieving site performance objectives related to safety, environmental compliance, production volume, quality, reliability, cost performance, and employee development.
• Ensures operational knowledge, production technology, and technical expertise are maintained and continuously improved to support safe, reliable, and efficient operations.
• Leads production efforts to improve asset reliability and equipment performance through close collaboration with Maintenance, Reliability, and other Technical Services functions.
• Ensures effective implementation of Management of Change (MOC), risk assessment, and operational readiness processes to maintain safe and compliant operations.
• Develops organizational capability through workforce planning, succession development, mentoring, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Collaborates with plant leadership to establish priorities, allocate resources, and achieve site operational objectives.
• Directs production activities to resolve operational and technical issues while driving continuous improvement, cost reduction, process optimization, capacity enhancement, equipment reliability, and product quality.
• Executes business and production strategies by aligning team objectives, performance metrics, and daily operations with organizational goals.
• Partners with cross-functional leaders to integrate Environmental, Health, and Safety requirements into all production processes and ensure compliance with applicable regulatory and Quality Management System (QMS) / Integrated Management System (IMS) requirements to promote operational excellence and responsiveness to internal and external customers.
• Provides leadership and operational support for turnaround planning, execution, startup readiness, and post-turnaround performance improvement activities.
• Develops, administers, and monitors the annual operating budget while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs.
• Promotes a culture of accountability, employee development, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Key Interactions

• Internal: Engages with all levels of site leadership, production, technical services, and maintenance teams to support safe and efficient plant operations, reliability improvement initiatives, maintenance activities, and capital project execution.
• External: Contractors, vendors, suppliers, regulatory agencies, and other external partners as required

Working Conditions

• Works in a chemical production plant environment requiring compliance with established Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) procedures and the use of required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Regularly interfaces with operating areas and may be exposed to industrial conditions, including noise, temperature variations, chemicals, and process equipment hazards.
• Requires the ability to walk through operating areas, climb stairs, navigate industrial environments, and perform field observations.
• May be required to work extended hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, or during emergency situations, to support operational needs.
• Must be able to lift and carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical discipline. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Ten (10) years of progressive manufacturing experience in manufacturing, chemical or related field. 
• Minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated leadership experience managing teams in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives, operational excellence efforts, and organizational change.
• Demonstrated knowledge of safe manufacturing operations, process safety principles, environmental compliance, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-disciplinary teams including both exempt and non-exempt personnel.
• Experience in 24/7 continuous operating environments.
• Experience managing operating budgets, cost reduction initiatives, and financial performance metrics.
• Cross-functional experience working with Manufacturing, Engineering, Technical, Maintenance, and Business teams.
• Experience with project planning, capital projects, or capacity improvement initiatives. 

Competencies and Skills

• Strong leadership, coaching, and employee development skills with the ability to build a culture of accountability and operational excellence.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills with the ability to resolve complex operational challenges.
• Working knowledge of chemical processes, manufacturing systems, process control, mechanical equipment, and reliability practices.
• Ability to analyze operational performance data and implement improvements related to safety, quality, cost, reliability, and productivity.
• Strong planning, organizational, project management, and resource allocation skills.
• Experience with Mechanical Integrity (MI), Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM), and process control systems.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and to drive safe, efficient, and reliable production operations in a continuous manufacturing environment.