Processing Manager

KIK Consumer Products•Salem, VA

2d•$100,000 - $120,000

About The Position

KIK Consumer Products is seeking a Processing Manager to lead chemical processing operations and the Chemical Operator team at its Salem plant. The role is accountable for the safe, efficient, and compliant manufacture of bleach, household cleaning products, and pool shock products. The Processing Manager translates the production plan into daily processing activities, develops employees, maintains reliable processing equipment and records, and works with Quality, Maintenance, Warehouse, Production, and EHS to meet safety, quality, service, and cost objectives. This is a salaried position with a stated base pay range of $100,000–$120,000 annually. The role works in a manufacturing environment and may require a flexible schedule and response to production, processing, or emergency needs outside normal business hours. The manager must complete and maintain KIK-provided HazWhopper/HAZWOPER and Incident Response training to support chlorine-processing operations.

Requirements

Five or more years of chemical processing, batch manufacturing, chemical operations, or closely related manufacturing experience.
Experience working with hazardous chemicals and chemical processing equipment.
Working knowledge of process safety, chemical handling, hazard communication, lockout/tagout, personal protective equipment, Good Manufacturing Practices, and safe operating procedures.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams across shifts, analyze operational data, solve problems, communicate clearly, and hold others accountable constructively.
Proficiency with standard business systems and Microsoft Office applications, and ability to learn site production, maintenance, and training systems.
Ability to complete KIK-provided HAZWOPER and Incident Response training and support safe chlorine-processing operations.
Ability to work on the plant floor, climb stairs and ladders, enter elevated or restricted work areas as permitted, and occasionally lift or move materials in accordance with safe-work requirements.
Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with regular exposure to noise, odors, moving equipment, temperature variation, and chemicals, wearing required PPE.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, manufacturing, operations, or a related technical field; equivalent relevant manufacturing experience will be considered.
Three or more years of direct leadership or supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment.
Experience with bleach, household cleaning products, pool chemicals, or similar regulated consumer products.
Experience with process safety management, risk management programs, management of change, bulk chemical handling, or railcar operations.

Responsibilities

Lead day-to-day chemical processing according to approved formulas, batch instructions, standard operating procedures, and the production schedule.
Plan and prioritize batching, blending, chemical staging, material transfers, changeovers, and processing equipment readiness to support on-time production.
Supervise Chemical Operators, including shift coverage, assignments, coaching, training, feedback, attendance follow-up, and performance reviews.
Ensure employees complete required onboarding, role-specific and refresher training, and documented competency verification.
Review shift notes, batch records, process data, and operator observations; address operational issues, escalate risks, and coordinate corrective actions.
Monitor schedule attainment, batch accuracy, yield, scrap and waste, downtime, chemical usage, and labor utilization, and implement practical improvements.
Maintain a visible plant-floor presence and reinforce safe work practices, including chemical handling, PPE, hazardous energy control, hazard communication, confined-space requirements, and emergency response as applicable.
Ensure operators follow Good Manufacturing Practices, sanitation requirements, product segregation controls, and documentation standards; partner with Quality to resolve process deviations and prevent recurrence.
Coordinate with Maintenance on inspections, preventive maintenance, repairs, and corrective work for processing equipment, and ensure processing-related work is completed and documented.
Coordinate with Warehouse, Purchasing, and other partners to maintain appropriate inventory and availability of raw materials, processing supplies, and critical chemicals.
Support safe receipt, storage, transfer, and release of bulk chemicals and railcars, where applicable, in accordance with site procedures and regulatory requirements.
Participate in incident investigations, near-miss reviews, hazard assessments, process risk reviews, and corrective-action follow-up; partner with HESS on regulatory programs and technical compliance.
Support process safety and management-of-change activities involving proposed changes to chemicals, formulas, equipment, procedures, or operating conditions.
Maintain accurate processing records, training documentation, inspection logs, and other required department records.
Promote a respectful, accountable, team-oriented work environment; participate in selecting, onboarding, and developing processing personnel.
Complete and maintain KIK-provided HazWhopper/HAZWOPER and Incident Response training to support chlorine processing and Chemical Operators.