Manufacturing Site Operations Director

Overview :

As the Manufacturing Site Operations Director for our Forli (Italy) facility, you will be responsible for leading all manufacturing operations while ensuring safety, quality, reliability, productivity, and cost-effectiveness while advancing and embracing Celanese Manufacturing Operational model and culture. You will report directly to the Senior Director Manufacturing Multi-Site Operations and will manage a diverse team of production leaders, maintenance & technology leaders, engineers, and technical staff. There are also a number of support services at location which, although not directly part of the responsibility, must nevertheless be integrated into the daily operations. This role requires a strategic mindset combined with hands-on operational expertise to drive continuous improvement initiatives and maintain Celanese's position as an industry leader in Engineering materials manufacturing.

YOU will be involved in the following tasks:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement manufacturing strategies aligned with business objectives and corporate vision. Translate corporate goals into actionable site-level plans.
• Living the Operational Model: Continue advancing the Global Manufacturing Operational Model at the Site which supports culture transformation.
• Safety Management: Champion Celanese's "Zero Incidents" safety culture by implementing comprehensive safety programs, improving Safety performance, Supporting Human Organization Performance (HOP) and conducting regular Operational learnings, ensuring compliance with Italian regulations and Celanese global standards.
• Production Management: Accountable for daily manufacturing operations, adherence-to-schedule, and resource allocation to meet customer demands while optimizing efficiency and minimizing costs.
• Quality Assurance: Maintain rigorous quality control systems to ensure products meet or exceed customer specifications and comply with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, IATF and industry-specific standards, incl. GMP.
• Team Leadership: Lead, develop, and coach a high-performing team across production, maintenance, quality, and technical functions.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive operational excellence through Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma methodologies, and other continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity and reduce waste.
• Budget Management: Develop and manage annual operating budgets, including capital expenditure planning and cost control measures.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure full compliance with Swiss environmental regulations, EU chemical directives (REACH, RoHS), and other applicable laws and standards.
• Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain productive relationships with local authorities, community representatives, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
• Technology Implementation: Lead the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies and digital transformation initiatives to enhance manufacturing capabilities.
• Partner with other functions on Site (S&OP, FP&A, Customer Services, T&I, …) to lead the Site as One integrated Site.

What YOU will bring to the team:

• Degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical or comparable), or equivalent degree in a technical field. Minimum of Bachelors degree.
• Experience: Minimum 15+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations within the chemical, specialty materials, or related industries, with at least 10 years in senior leadership roles.
• Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of chemical manufacturing processes, equipment, and technologies relevant to engineering materials production (ideal)
• Leadership: Proven track record of successfully leading manufacturing teams, transforming culture, driving change initiatives, and developing talent.
• Operational Excellence: Demonstrated experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies to improve operational performance.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with Italian manufacturing regulations, EU chemical directives, and international standards relevant to chemical manufacturing.
• Financial Acumen: Strong business and financial understanding, with experience in budget management and cost optimization.
• Language Skills: Fluency in Italian and English is Mandatory ; additional European languages are advantageous.
• Digital Literacy: Experience with ERP systems (preferably SAP), manufacturing execution systems (MES), and digital transformation initiatives.
• Change Management: Proven ability to lead organizational change and implement new processes or technologies successfully.

Celanese is a global leader in chemistry, producing specialty material solutions used across most major industries and consumer applications. Our businesses use our chemistry, technology and commercial expertise to create value for our customers, employees and shareholders. We support sustainability by responsibly managing the materials we create and growing our portfolio of sustainable products to meet customer and societal demand. We strive to make a positive impact in our communities and to foster inclusivity across our teams. Celanese Corporation employs more than 11,000 employees worldwide with 2024 net sales of $10.3 billion.