Operational Excellence & Process Manager

About Umicore 

Reducing harmful vehicle emissions. Powering the cars of the future. Giving new life to used metals. We are the leading circular materials technology company fulfilling its mission to create materials for a better life. With ambitions like this, imagine what you could do? 

About Precious Metals Chemistry 

Life-enhancing chemistry. Umicore is an expert in metals-based catalysis for applications that improve our quality of life. Automotive emission treatment technologies, active pharmaceutical ingredients for cancer treatments, the production of fine chemicals and advanced electronics – all are made possible by our organometallic technology know-how. To bring the magic of metal-based chemistry and catalysis to new customers and new applications we cannot stand still. We need to find new ways to do things, discover new solutions and develop new ideas. Which is where you come in. 

What you will be doing 

Production/Process support:

The holder will report and remedy production problems such as out of range yields, product quality and/or processing time.

The holder will be responsible for the transfer and successful launch of new PMC products into PMC Japan manufacturing in collaboration with Hanau PT.

The holder will ensure that the proper manufacturing procedures/batch records are in place for all PMC Japan products and that the production staff is properly trained on the execution of manufacturing procedures and use of PMC Japan equipment.

The holder will work with, Hanau Production/PT, site engineering and maintenance to troubleshoot and diagnose process and equipment issues.

Operations optimization, Process transfer support and new system implementation:

Response, execute and manage actions defined in assigned projects such like plant optimization, consolidation, process transfer, new system implementation, co-working with operations team.

Report to appropriate manager(s) on activities, problems and proposals in timely manner.

Communicate with appropriate stake holders including Hanau to support process transfer.

Operations technical support:

Response problem solving occurring in day-to day operation in Production from chemical process and engineering points of view.

Communicate with appropriate stake holders including Hanau to support quick problem solving.

Check and revise relevant documents utilized in Production.

Support trouble shooting on problems of production line capturing data and the equipment.

Operations excellence management:

Investigate quality issue raised by customers if it happens and find out route course.  Make a proposal of solution of such issue.

Communicate with Hanau plant control team to be supported quick problem solving.

Management of QC activity:

The holder supports and manages QC team. Once any problem occurs, to be interface to PMC-Hanau and gives appropriate suggestions and advices.

Interface to PMC-Hanau: 

The holder manages the technical interface to PMC-Hanau. He reports any process problems to PT-Hanau and asks for support as needed. He has the project responsibility for new investment projects starting with definition of technical requirements until successful implementation of a new production equipment and process.

Project responsibility for investment projects:

• Definition of investment requirements

• Start-up of equipment including pilot batch

• Preparation of production procedures and process descriptions

• Training of production team

• Inform local authorities with all information to get the required permissions

Various: 

Other duties or projects assigned to meet business and operational needs.

Who we are looking for 

Functional requirements:

• Required Education: Master’s Degree from an accredited University or College in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

• Preferred Education: Ph.D. in Chemistry

• Experience: 7-10 years in Production Management in a Specialty Chemical or Fine Chemical operation. R&D or Process support experience is a plus.

• Additional experience: Productivity Management, Quality Assurance & Quality Control

• Good understanding of PC/PLC Operating interface, MS Office, ERP systems (SAP)

Personal skills (Behavioural competencies):

• Hands-on approach to the job

• High Stress Tolerance

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills both in Japanese and English

• Desire and ability to work in an entrepreneurial environment

• Ability to communicate within a production environment as well as with the technical staff/R&D

• Ability to work in a team environment

• Willingly accepts and performs special assignments.

• Ability to work with international colleagues

What we offer 

We aim to lead the way. Not just for our customers, but for our employees too. That is why we strive to create a collaborative environment in which we can all succeed, and a culture through which we can all share ideas, develop our expertise and advance our careers. We engage in building an inclusive work culture that offers equal opportunities for all employees irrespective of their diverse backgrounds. As you would expect from a world-leading organisation, we will also reward your contribution with a competitive salary and benefits. With all this and more, imagine what you could do?