Manufacturing Director /Directeur Manufacturier - Chemicals

Bakelite Synthetics•Conway, NC

About The Position

Manufacturing Director – Eastern North America: The Impact You’ll Have On The Organization and World As our Manufacturing Director overseeing multiple (3-6) plants across Canada and the United States, you will: Shape the future of Bakelite’s manufacturing network by elevating safety, reliability, and operational excellence across all sites. Drive modernization, capacity growth, and sustainability, ensuring our facilities operate efficiently and responsibly today — and are positioned for the future. Develop and empower plant leadership teams, strengthening succession pipelines and fostering a culture built on trust, accountability, and continuous improvement. Partner directly with key leaders to influence enterprise-wide strategy, capital planning, and long‑term operational priorities. Create meaningful value for customers and communities, ensuring our products support safer homes, stronger infrastructure, and a more sustainable world. It's Better with Bakelite: Our Commitment Back to You You’ll Help Shape Our Future. As a Bakelite associate, you’re part of a diverse, global population creating the next generation of the company and we expect you to put your fingerprint on it. We Champion Our Associates. At Bakelite, you don’t just climb the career ladder – you pave your personal path through continued learning and development. Together, We Will Protect the Planet. From our processes to our products, we are focusing on the opportunities that both grow our profitability as a company, and improve and protect the planet. Safety is a Core Value. At Bakelite, safety is a 24/7 mindset. We are all safe today to ensure we are able to show up tomorrow – for our families and friends, for each other and for our communities. We Care. Plain and simple, we care about our associates. From the top on down, we place a high value on our culture and the associate experience. We offer competitive compensation, robust benefits and support our associates every step of their career. Life in Eastern North America Region: Our manufacturing footprint spans three unique communities: Acme, North Carolina – A historic rural community in Columbus County, Acme offers quiet living surrounded by natural landscapes, with convenient access to nearby towns like Wilmington and Lake Waccamaw. Conway, North Carolina – A welcoming small town in northeastern North Carolina, Conway provides close‑knit community life with access to outdoor recreation along the Roanoke River, home to rich wildlife and scenic waterways. Longueuil, Québec, Canada – Located just across the St. Lawrence River from Montréal, Longueuil blends urban convenience with abundant green spaces like Parc Michel‑Chartrand, offering trails, outdoor recreation, and vibrant cultural experiences. Together, these locations reflect the diversity, community connection, and natural beauty that make Bakelite a great place to work and grow. What Does a Typical Day Look Like? Here are your primary responsibilities:

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related technical field required.
10–15 years of progressive manufacturing leadership with experience leading multi‑level teams.
5+ years overseeing multiple plants or a large, complex production network.
Strong background in maintenance, reliability engineering, capital planning, and process improvement.
Proven experience collaborating with and influencing senior executives.
Demonstrated success in Lean/CI, modernization, production optimization, and workforce development.
Cross‑functional experience within a matrixed environment (Engineering, EHS, Supply Chain, Quality, HR, Finance).
Familiarity with ERP/MES systems in a manufacturing environment.
Exceptional leadership presence with the ability to Live Safety First, Build Trust, Do the Right Thing, and Create Value.
Strong analytical and strategic thinking, capable of managing complex priorities across multiple facilities.
Excellent communication and influence skills across all levels—from operators to the C‑suite.
High emotional intelligence, adaptability, and resilience in a fast‑paced operational environment.
Ability to lead large‑scale change, build alignment, and drive long‑term continuous improvement across a region.
Ability to work in both the United States and Canada while overseeing Bakelite’s Eastern North America Region, which includes sites in Acme, NC; Conway, NC; and Longueuil, Québec.
English fluency is required for day‑to‑day leadership, cross‑functional communication, and engagement with senior executives.
Willingness and ability to travel frequently across North America to support multi‑site leadership, audits, capital projects, talent development, and executive‑level engagements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree (MBA or Engineering/Operations) preferred.
Chemical manufacturing is preferred.
French proficiency is preferred and considered a competitive advantage due to leadership responsibilities in Québec.
Candidates without French must be willing to develop effective communication skills with French-speaking colleagues.
Living within reasonable proximity to one of our regional sites is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop multi-site manufacturing performance across 3-6 locations, ensuring alignment to Bakelite’s strategic, operational, and cultural priorities.
Champion a Safety First culture, ensuring all facilities meet and exceed regulatory, environmental, and company EHS standards.
Drive operational excellence, Lean/CI initiatives, equipment reliability, and process optimization across the regional network.
Partner with Engineering and Technical Operations on plant improvements, modernization, maintenance strategies, and capital project execution.
Collaborate with Leadership on long‑term planning, capital investments, risk management, and enterprise operational strategy.
Strengthen plant leadership capability through coaching, succession planning, and talent development.
Partner with Supply Chain, Quality, EHS, and Commercial teams to ensure consistent quality, delivery, customer value, and cross-functional alignment.
Ensure sustainability and green manufacturing initiatives across the region, including energy efficiency, waste reduction, and water stewardship.