Production Director - Chemical

Job description

For an international industrial group, a leader in the chemical manufacturing sector, we are seeking a

Production Director

Reporting directly to the Site Director, the Production Director will be responsible for overseeing all production-related activities at one of the company’s main manufacturing plants. This is a highly complex industrial facility with a large, structured organization composed of multiple large-scale production departments, serving as a critical hub for the Group’s operational and commercial activities.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

• Ensures that production is carried out in the required quantities and quality, respecting the timelines, schedules, and costs established by the Site Management.
• Collaborates with the Site Director and Production Managers to define the organizational structure, objectives, and budget of the production departments.
• Oversees medium- to long-term production execution based on central planning, ensuring proper scheduling, implementation, and control. This includes timely and accurate supply to production lines, stock level management, adherence to quality standards, and on-time delivery, also through improved integration across departments.
• Defines key production KPIs (e.g., shortages, production efficiency), ensures performance tracking, validates reports, and guarantees data accuracy.
• Ensures proper functioning and efficiency of equipment, the launch of new products, and continuous production improvement via process and equipment modifications. Works closely with all relevant departments (Engineering, Maintenance, Procurement, HSE, R&D), including compliance with applicable regulations.
• Works with relevant departments (Quality Control and R&D) to ensure semi-finished product quality, proper sampling procedures, and process monitoring.
• Drives alignment of production assets with business needs, developing and proposing investment plans in collaboration with the Site Director and Production Managers.
• Maintains ongoing communication with Corporate Operations functions.
• Interfaces with customers and international affiliates for production, commercial, and development-related matters.
• Supports the implementation and scale-up of new products and processes, ensuring industrialization through production trials, in close coordination with R&D and other departments.
• Ensures compliance with Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality Management Systems, the Code of Ethics, and the Organizational, Management, and Control Model, applying all internal procedures and regulatory standards.
• Manages and develops assigned personnel by defining clear, measurable goals, monitoring performance, and supporting growth, in collaboration with the local HR function.
• Complies with internal procedures and HSE regulations in line with the assigned safety responsibilities.

Requirements and Qualifications:

• 10–15 years of experience in production leadership roles within structured manufacturing or chemical companies, ideally in Seveso-regulated environments or other high-risk sectors.
• Proven managerial career path, with both strategic vision and operational know-how; direct experience in managing complex departments and large teams.
• Expertise in managing industrial production flows (batch and/or continuous).
• In-depth knowledge of lean manufacturing principles, TPM, and continuous improvement practices.
• Strong sensitivity and expertise in industrial safety management.

Skills:

• Strong leadership, with the ability to build consensus and lead complex teams.
• Excellent interpersonal and mediation skills.
• Results-driven mindset with a focus on organizational transformation.
• Excellent problem-solving, cross-functional communication, and change management skills.
• Ability to manage across different organizational levels: managers, team leaders, operators, and transversal functions.
• Strong relationship-building skills, including with senior stakeholders (e.g., CEO, MDs, corporate directors, international peers).
• Team-oriented approach, able to collaborate with other divisions and align strategies with company objectives.

Education:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering (strongly preferred) or alternatively in Chemical Engineering with proven experience in regulated environments.

Languages:

• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.

Location:

• Northern Italy