Manufacturing Operations Manager - Ketaspire

We are looking for:

We are looking for an experienced Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead day-to-day operations for our Ketaspire® production unit in Augusta, Georgia. In this highly visible leadership role, you will lead shift supervisors and the broader operations team to deliver safe, reliable, efficient, and high-quality production of Ketaspire® high-performance polymers.  You will have the opportunity to shape how the unit operates—developing people, improving manufacturing performance, partnering with maintenance and engineering, supporting capital investments, and advancing Manufacturing Excellence.  Reporting to the Ketaspire Unit Manager, you will play a key role in the unit’s safety, environmental, quality, cost, and production performance while helping create a culture in which people can perform at their best. 

We count on you for:

• Lead the Ketaspire operations team in delivering the production plan safely, reliably, on quality, and within budget. 

• Develop and coach 4 shift supervisors and approximately 24 operations personnel, building capability, accountability, and a strong team culture. 

• Champion safety and environmental performance, embedding Syensqo’s Safety Principles, Life Saving Rules, and Leading with Safety programs into day-to-day operations. 

• Ensure consistent product quality and customer satisfaction by translating quality requirements into clear operating expectations and actions. 

• Partner with maintenance and reliability teams to improve asset availability, resolve operational issues, and optimize unit performance. 

• Drive continuous improvement and Manufacturing Excellence, identifying and implementing opportunities to improve productivity, reliability, and fixed and variable costs. 

• Bring together the right expertise to solve manufacturing challenges, collaborating with operators, supervisors, engineers, R&I, plant support teams, and external experts. 

• Ensure the operations team has the tools, training, knowledge, and support needed to perform effectively and independently. 

You will bring:

• A bachelor's degree in engineering; chemical engineering is preferred. 

• Process Safety Management (PSM) experience 

• Significant experience in operations, maintenance, or engineering in a manufacturing environment. 

• A strong commitment to occupational safety, process safety, and environmental performance. 

• Proven ability to improve manufacturing performance through problem solving, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration. 

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across various site and business teams. 

• A collaborative leadership style and the ability to develop people, build strong teams, and create a sense of shared accountability. 

• Experience leading change and implementing improvements in a dynamic manufacturing environment. 

• The ability to use operational and business performance measures to establish priorities and drive results. 

• The ability to effectively manage multiple priorities, make sound decisions, and operate successfully in an environment that includes risk and uncertainty. 

Safety and environmental leadership 

• Safety is fundamental to this role. You will actively lead and participate in site HSE and process safety programs, including safety audits, job safety analyses, process hazard reviews, pre-startup safety reviews, and incident investigations. 

• You will maintain a strong working knowledge of applicable site environmental standards and regulatory requirements, including air, wastewater, stormwater, hazardous waste, and facility environmental plans. You will also ensure required safety and compliance training is completed and that environmental and safety expectations are incorporated into daily operations. 

You can count on us for:

• A visible operations leadership role with meaningful influence over people, manufacturing performance, continuous improvement, and investment decisions. 

• The opportunity to lead production of Ketaspire® high-performance polymers used in demanding advanced-material applications. 

• Broad collaboration and exposure across operations, engineering, maintenance, R&I, plant support, and business teams. 

• The opportunity to develop supervisors and operations talent while helping shape the culture and performance of the unit. 

• Career development and learning opportunities within a global science and advanced-materials company. 

• An inclusive workplace where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued. 

You will get:

• Competitive salary and benefits package. 

• The U.S. base salary range reasonably expected to be paid for this position is $115,000 to $142,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on a variety of factors unique to each candidate and may ultimately be higher or lower than the posted base salary range. Total compensation for this role will also include annual bonus and/or other incentives. 

• 16 weeks of maternity, paternity, and co-parenting leave, according to local regulations. 

• Access to training and development resources for all employees. 

• Relocation assistance per policy guidelines. 

• Free well-being sessions supporting physical and psychological health.