Senior Manufacturing Manager
About The Position
Unilever is hiring a Senior Manufacturing Manager – Processing to lead manufacturing operations at its Jefferson City, Missouri facility, described as its largest Beauty & Wellbeing and Personal Care manufacturing facility in North America. The role oversees the highly automated Personal Care Liquids operation and a new Betaines facility. Reporting to the Factory Director, the manager leads Manufacturing Business Leads, Supervisors, Area Leads, and frontline manufacturing professionals, with accountability for safety, quality, productivity, people development, and operational performance across both operations. The role partners with global stakeholders across the Betaines network to optimize planning, feedstock procurement, inventory, and distribution. It owns key operating metrics and works cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Procurement, and Planning to meet factory and business objectives. The manager also develops leaders and frontline teams, supports organizational capability, and fosters accountability, engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning. Flexibility to support a 24/7 manufacturing operation is required as business needs require.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree; an Engineering or related STEM discipline is preferred.
- 7–10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a complex manufacturing, chemical processing, consumer products, food, beverage, pharmaceutical, or similar environment.
- Proven success leading large teams and delivering operational results through others.
- Experience driving safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Strong business acumen, including the ability to analyze performance, solve complex problems, and execute strategic plans.
- Demonstrated ability to influence across functions and lead through transformation and change.
- Exceptional communication, coaching, and team development skills.
- Flexibility to support a 24/7 manufacturing operation as business needs require.
Nice To Haves
- Engineering or a related STEM discipline for the required bachelor’s degree.
Responsibilities
- Lead safe, reliable, and high-performing manufacturing operations, including compliance with regulatory requirements and site safety programs such as Process Safety Management, LOTO, risk assessments, and environmental standards.
- Drive quality and manufacturing excellence through standardized work, capability building, and operational discipline.
- Deliver operational reliability, efficiency, productivity, and cost targets using Unilever Manufacturing System principles.
- Partner with global Betaines stakeholders to optimize planning, feedstock procurement, inventory, and distribution strategies.
- Own performance metrics including productivity, asset utilization, operational waste, batch cycle performance, quality, cost, and service.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives and focused improvement projects to unlock efficiency and growth.
- Partner with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Procurement, and Planning teams to achieve factory and business objectives.
- Develop, coach, and inspire leaders and frontline teams.
- Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning.
- Strengthen organizational capability through hiring, talent development, succession planning, and performance management.
Benefits
- Health insurance, including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage
- Retirement savings benefits
- Life insurance
- Disability benefits
- Parental leave
- Sick leave
- Paid vacation
- Paid holidays
- Voluntary benefits
- Bonus eligible
- Long-term incentive eligible
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
