The Lubrizol Corporation

Senior Director, Manufacturing Operations

The Lubrizol Corporation • $160K — $190K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or advanced degree in chemistry with chemical manufacturing experience.
  • 10+ years in manufacturing leadership within the chemical industry.
  • Previous experience in Plant Manager roles.
  • Proficient in driving team development and achieving high employee engagement.
  • Successful track record in matrix organization performance delivery.
  • Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

  • Lead six manufacturing plants within the Lubrizol Americas team.
  • Collaborate with business and commercial teams to optimize operations.
  • Develop strategies for operational improvements and prioritize actions.
  • Cultivate a safety-oriented culture and implement process safety standards.
  • Manage a regional operating budget exceeding $180M and identify cost-reduction opportunities.
  • Supervise a capital budget of $30-40M per year ensuring timely project completion.
  • Enhance manufacturing metrics and drive continuous improvement across facilities.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary with performance-based bonuses.
  • 401(k) match and Age-Weighted Defined Contribution.
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Health Savings Account (HSA).
  • Paid holidays, vacation, and parental leave.
  • Flexible work environment with hybrid options.
  • Opportunities for learning and professional development.
Full Job Description
Location: Greater Cleveland, OH
Job Type: Full-Time (4 days on site, 1 day remote)
Travel Requirments: ~50%

As part of our global team, you'll be empowered to make a real impact - on your career, your community, and the world around you. The Senior Americas Manufacturing Operations Director leads one of Lubrizol Additives' largest and most complex manufacturing organizations, with responsibility for over 1,000 employees across six strategically critical facilities in the United States and Brazil. Charged with ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations, this leader drives performance across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, capital investment, and continuous improvement. With direct oversight of Plant Managers and stewardship of an operating budget exceeding $180M and annual capital investments of $30-40M, the role is instrumental in enabling business growth, strengthening customer supply reliability, and building a high-performing manufacturing culture throughout the region.

How You'll Make an Impact
  • Represent six manufacturing plants on the global manufacturing team and regional business team.
  • Act as a partner for business and commercial teams using a collaborative approach.
  • Cascade the vision for operations and lead the Americas team to develop a strategy for improvement. Prioritize actions and ensure results are achieved.
  • Develop a culture of commitment to safety and risk reduction to reduce OSHA recordables, lost time accidents and process safety incidents year on year. Provide leadership for the implementation of process safety standards across facilities.
  • Ensure manufacturing operations comply with all environmental regulatory requirements.
  • Manage a regional OPEX budget >$180M and identify opportunities to reduce costs without impacting performance.
  • Manage a capital budget $30-40M/year and support the plants to ensure projects are implemented on time and on budget.
  • Work with Plant Managers to identify and implement productivity improvements.
  • Lead the team to improve asset reliability with a focus on OEE performance.
  • Support plants to drive improvement in mechanical integrity and planned maintenance performance.
  • Create a quality culture focused on reducing non-conforming and non-working slow moving materials.
  • Build a continuous improvement mindset from the shop floor to site leadership teams.
  • Focus on developing and recognizing our people so they are fully engaged to achieve results.
  • Lead and support talent reviews and succession planning.
  • Promote leader standard work to make sure plant leadership is visible and engage with front line operators.
  • Create opportunities for plant teams to share best practices, establish communication links and drive towards standardization.
  • Establish, monitor & improve key manufacturing metrics across the plants.
  • Build strong relationships throughout operations to ensure teams are well connected and focused on delivering product to customers on time. Be highly connected and communicative with supply chain, procurement & process technology.
  • Set the example for how an operationally centric and highly engaged leader behaves.


Required Qualifications that Enable Your Success
  • Minimum bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, or advanced degree in Chemistry paired with significant chemical manufacturing experience.
  • Minimum 10 years manufacturing leadership in the chemical industry
  • Previous Plant Manager roles.
  • Experienced at driving team development and performance, ensuring a high level of employee engagement.
  • Demonstrated success delivering results in a matrix organization.
  • Excellent communication and networking skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills as well as facilitation experience.
  • Self-motivated, proactive with the ability to multi-task and work in a fast paced, "high energy", team-oriented environment.
  • Must demonstrate enthusiasm, a sense of urgency, attention to detail, commitment and follow-through while maintaining confidentiality and meeting deadlines.
  • Regular site visits in the US and Brazil, plus team meetings at other global locations.


Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Experience in large multinational chemicals environment and working globally.
  • Experience with lubricant additive manufacture.
  • Experience at managing different manufacturing facilities/technologies.
  • Experience in supply chain or product management.
  • Experience at inspiring/leading large teams.


Your Work Environment

At Lubrizol, we're committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment where you can do your best work-whether in a lab, on the production floor, or in a hybrid office setting. Depending on your role, your work environment may include:

  • Standing, walking, or operating equipment for extended periods.
  • Working in a lab or manufacturing setting with appropriate PPE provided.
  • Use of computers and digital tools in an office or hybrid environment.
  • Occasional lifting or movement of materials.
  • Adherence to rigorous safety protocols and ergonomic standards.


We continuously invest in our facilities and technologies to ensure they support your well-being, productivity, and growth. If you require reasonable accommodation, we are committed to working with you to ensure an inclusive and accessible experience.

Benefits that Empower You
  • Competitive salary with performance-based bonus plans
  • 401(k) match + Age-Weighted Defined Contribution
  • Comprehensive medical, dental & vision coverage
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Paid holidays, vacation, and parental leave
  • Flexible work environment
  • Learning and development opportunities
  • Career and professional growth
  • Inclusive culture and vibrant community engagement
    Learn more at benefits.lubrizol.com!

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About The Lubrizol Corporation

The Lubrizol Corporation is a provider of specialty chemicals for the transportation, industrial, and consumer markets. These products include additives for engine oils and other transportation-related fluids, additives for industrial lubricants, and additives for gasoline and diesel fuel. The company also produces specialty materials for the plastics, coatings, and pharmaceuticals markets. Lubrizol operates in more than 100 countries and has manufacturing facilities in 17 countries.
Learn more about The Lubrizol Corporation
Size
8,600 employees
Industry
Founded
1928

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