Production Manager

Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.

At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Position Overview...

The Production Manager will be responsible for managing day-to-day production activities as well as the Continuous Improvement organization.  This position will report to the Plant Manager and have responsibilities for Shift Supervisors and the Production Specialist.

The Production Manager is responsible for promoting a workplace that has an unwavering commitment to safety, health and environmental (SHE) compliance; and encourages total employee involvement in continuous improvement initiatives.  This position will partner with the technology team and the production teams on a regular basis, as well as interface with the business and commercial teams frequently. This role will oversee production operations, while assuring cost-effective processes that results in products of high quality and on-time delivery. Along with the responsibility for leading, motivating, and developing salaried (directly) and hourly (indirectly) workforces.  This position must also establish plans and objectives for manufacturing that are consistent with plant and business goals and strategies.

The Production Manager will need to effectively utilize the expertise of their team and hold them accountable to supporting product/process improvement efforts as well as stable operations on a day-to-day basis. They must be agile and be able to quickly work with their teams to identify and resolve issues as well as identify opportunities and act to continuously improve results. They also must be able to effectively utilize the fundamentals of continuous improvement to identify opportunities in safety, productivity, and cost and drive results in these areas.

What you'll own in this role....

Provide strategic insight and operational guidance to the SLT that will:  (25%)

• Drive change, improve safety, improve production processes, reduce costs, improve margins and address quality issues
• Contribute to and inform IBP process of production planning and inventory control
• Direct shipping activities to assure cost-effective operations 
• Collaborate with the technology team to introduce new products and process improvements

​Manage direct and indirect reports to: (75%)

• Achieve Plant Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) Standards and world class SHE performance
• Develop skills in team members through training, timely information and formal feedback sessions, and “level up” processes
• Solve and correct operational problems using problem solving techniques and continuous improvement tools
• Ensure accuracy of SAP data and adherence to management systems and processes. 
• Identify, address, and resolve technology issues and/or lead the facility into new areas of technology
• Develop new processes and procedures for all facets of production
• Support the global business needs for strategic goals and objectives
• Assess and implement analytical methods and tools to increase productivity, decrease variability and reduce safety risks
• Promote unwavering commitment to the Synthomer Values and Golden Rules

What you need to be successful ...

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, chemistry or polymer science
• 10 years of chemical plant manufacturing experience - monomer/reactive chemistry (preferred) 
• Chemical plant manufacturing experience
• Conflict Resolution, Excellent problem-solving skills
• Excellent cross functional collaboration and communication
• Ability to practically implement continuous improvement principles (Lean, Six Sigma, Waste Reduction) and drive results
• Ability to get results when there is no clear path or solution
• Ability to strategize and determine where to focus when there are many competing issues/opportunities
• Ability to change focus as needed and manage multiple projects at the same time
• Strong planning and organization skills
• Active listener with strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication skills to all functions at all levels
• Ability to communicate and present both internally and externally to a diverse audience
• Desire to grow into broader roles with additional responsibilities

Qualifications that can set you apart...

• Certified Lean Six Sigma Green / Black Belt (ASQ Preferred )
• Experience with Reactive monomer chemistry
• Experience with latex chemistry
• Experience with Process Safety Management in high hazard processes
• Experience in supervisory role
• Experience with RCMS & RC/ISO14001
• Certified Internal Auditor (Exemplar Global or ASQ Preferred)
• Previous experience working within ISO 9001 certified quality system

🌍 Global Benefits Overview

• 💰 Competitive, market-aligned compensation

• 🎯 Discretionary global bonus scheme

• 📈 Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) – for senior positions

• 🚗 Company car or car allowance – varies by region and role

• 🩺 Healthcare – tailored to regional locations

• 👶 Parental leave and family support – maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)

• 🏡 Working options – flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs

• 📚 Learning & development opportunities – training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers

• 💙 Wellbeing support – employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives

• 🌱 Retirement / pension contributions – plans vary by country

• 🤝 Culture of Inclusion – where everyone can thrive

• 🏆 Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes