As the largest pureplay adhesives company in the world, H.B. Fuller’s (NYSE: FUL) innovative, functional coatings, adhesives and sealants enhance the quality, safety and performance of products people use every day. Founded in 1887, with 2023 revenue of $3.5 billion, our mission to Connect What Matters is brought to life by more than 7,000 global team members who collaborate with customers across more than 30 market segments in over 140 countries to develop highly specified solutions that enable customers to bring world-changing innovations to their end markets.

The Mixing Production Manager reports to the Michigan Center Plant Manager and has primary responsibility for the Mixing department.  The Mixing Production Manager is responsible for serving external and internal customers by creating and maintaining a safe, reliable operation capable of meeting quality, productivity and cost targets.  They will work with the site leadership team to make Michigan Center a great place to work, where employees are engaged and have the opportunity for career growth, and is expected to be the voice of the department and effectively communicate the departments goals, vision, and strategic plan in a timely basis.

Primary Responsibilities

• Understand, apply and drive safety as a value and ensure compliance with all applicable safety, health and environmental procedures, regulations, and rules.

• Manages at team of 4 direct reports and up to 50 indirect employees

• Lead and drive continuous improvement in housekeeping and 5S.

• Develop and mentor Department leadership and field experts to ensure a best-in-class and engaged workforce is built and maintained.

• Create and implement vision for the department in alignment with the plants overall vision.

• Ensure effective management systems are utilized to manage and measure the Mixing Departments performance.

• Set and maintain standards that ensure on-time delivery of quality products that meet customer needs.

• Control costs through close management of the operational and capital budgets and by identifying, prioritizing and pursuing continuous improvement projects.

• Review daily, weekly, and monthly metrics to ensure that Safety, Quality, OEE, Delivery, and Cost are all under control.

• Ensure that effective Tier 1 and Tier 2 meetings are taking place in the Mixing area and participate in weekly Tier 3 meetings to offer solutions to KPI’s that are not on target.  

• Guide the Mixing team in recruiting, hiring, developing and terminating activities.

• Ensure timely and data driven corrective actions.

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with the Michigan Center leadership team.

• Prioritize work to effectively focus on critical items and deliver quality results by deadline.

• Hear and address employee concerns appropriately in partnership with HR.

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with commercial, marketing, operations, supply chain, HR, Finance and R&D partners.  Facilitate collaborative teamwork within the department with external partners.  Manage stakeholder expectations. Prioritize work to effectively focus on critical items and deliver quality results by deadline.

Minimum Requirement

• BS in a scientific discipline, such as Chemical Engineering.

• 5+ years of progressive operations and operations management with proven track record of success.

• Demonstrated expertise in managing significant change within a manufacturing operating environment and experience successfully driving change management

• Demonstrated success in organizational development and team building.

• Analytical interpretation and advanced problem-solving skills and the ability to prioritize and align the organization on priorities with an ability to bring successful closure to the defined goals.

• Proactive, effective coach, communicator and collaborator with team, peers, senior leaders, and external partners.

• Ability to escalate and address conflicts and disagreements effectively.

• Fluent in English.

Preferred Requirements

• MBA

• Process Safety Management experience.

• Knowledge of SAP or similar ERP database management systems.

• Six Sigma certification - Green or Black Belt.

• Exposure to applications using continuous improvement techniques; TQM, Problem Solving DMAIC, Fault Tree Analysis, FMEAs, Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Value Stream mapping

• Chemical manufacturing operations experience.

• Experience leading in a union environment.

This position is not eligible for work visa sponsorship. Applicants must have U.S. work authorization that does not now or in the future require H.B. Fuller sponsorship of a work visa to work for H.B. Fuller.

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, and geographic location.

In addition to your salary, H.B. Fuller offers employees a competitive total rewards package including comprehensive benefits, incentive and recognitions programs, health & wellness benefits, 401K contributions, paid time off and paid holidays. Eligibility may vary.

H.B. Fuller is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and proud to have created a collaborative culture where employees around the world are seen, heard, and respected. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or marital status or status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected classification.

H.B. Fuller does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with H.B. Fuller, a written service agreement must be executed by Human Resources prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed service agreement, H.B. Fuller shall not be obligated for payment of any fee or compensation.