Plant Production Supervisor

Are you the kind of person who is always thinking, sketching, seeking, and adjusting? Who needs to understand how things work and then figure out how they can work better? Are you a passionate, tenacious, solver who loves to work with others who share your drive? Are you positive, constructive, and ingenious?

Are you always solving?

Then we’d like to meet you and bet you’d like to meet us.

Ashland has an exciting opportunity for a Plant Production Supervisor to join our Ashland Specialty Ingredients G.P. business at our Hopewell, VA location. This is a very visible, significant role within the Company and the manufacturing function. This position will report to the Area Managers.

The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Ensure production units safely manufacture products that meet internal and external customer specifications, efficiently and safely.
• Analyze area data, collect log sheets and work orders, and document and communicate shift notes/logs for turnover reports.
• Utilize effective leadership practices to maximize employee productivity and contribution from each process area.
• Provide departmental oversight of operators, ensuring production units are operated with the appropriate/qualified manpower at all times through regular and overtime scheduling.
• Coordinate inter-department transfers, rate increases, and weekly payroll time approval.
• Assist area trainers with on-the-job training (OJT) program and completion of walk-through certifications.
• Review work procedures and policies for individual areas, and update as required.
• Supervise and inspect after daylight hours work by other work groups.
• Support the implementation of programs and procedures to optimize production and continually improve the manufacturing processes.
• Enforce proper PPE and conduct routine inspections/audits for housekeeping, LOTO, confined-space, and related areas. Serve as the high-hazard coordinator and process hot work and confined-space permits as needed.
• Promote and maintain a cohesive working environment between union and management personnel to ensure that any differences are resolved amicably.
• Ensure effective implementation and administration of all policies and procedures designed for the operations department.
• Conduct and lead investigations regarding personnel and/or product issues. Issue attendance and/or disciplinary actions, as needed, and provide positive performance coaching and communication with hourly employees.
• Recognize and reward the successful efforts of employees to increase productivity, reduce costs, and improve work processes within the Ashland Award System.
• Participate in safety, quality, and environmental initiatives, including cGMP and ISO compliance, to support state/federal regulatory requirements and enhance existing Company programs.
• Coordinate with area engineers, maintenance, and management to troubleshoot units and/or implement improvements and ensure good day-to-day unit performance, for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the plant.

• Actively contribute to the organizational goals by taking initiative, executing on goals, and focusing on performance and safety
• Improve the organization's capacity and capabilities through building collaborative relationships, optimizing diverse talent, and utilizing positive communications and influence with others

What This Role Is Not:

• Not an entry-level position – we need a candidate to hit the ground running with solid experience and a background to prove it

In order to be qualified for this role, you must possess the following:

• An associate’s degree in Process Chemical Technology Operations or related discipline.
• Minimum of seven years of chemical plant manufacturing experience.
• Minimum of five years’ supervisory experience in manufacturing, with a proven ability to effectively lead and manage others.
• Provide a proven track record of positive impacts to chemical process manufacturing, plant safety rules and regulations, Process Safety Management (PSM), current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), environmental compliance standards, site Quality processes, and budgetary cost control. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and have the ability to interface well with employees at all levels, especially with members of the Site Leadership Team and Corporate management.  
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, SAP, and Product Suite.
• Demonstrated responsible and ethical behavior at all times
• The ability to help the company drive greater value through understanding the business, making complex decisions, and creating new and different

The following skill sets are preferred by the business unit:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certified.
• Experience using Delta V, ASPEN, Maximo, and Coupa.
• ISO knowledge.
• Strong mathematical and mechanical aptitude.
• Previous experience supervising union employees.

Third-party recruiters and agencies (“Agency”) should not contact employees of Ashland or its subsidiaries directly. Any resumes sent by an Agency to a hiring manager, recruiter, or submitted to Ashland’s career portal are considered unsolicited and property of Ashland. Ashland will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume, unless the Agency has a signed contract with Ashland’s Human Resources/Procurement department in advance of submitting a candidate for consideration. Verbal and written approvals will not be considered a valid contract for service.