Manufacturing Manager

ICL Group, a leading global specialty minerals company, is excited to announce its expansion into the North American battery materials market with the creation of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in North St. Louis City. As part of a half-billion-dollar investment, ICL is building a large-scale commercial production plant that will manufacture lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode active material (CAM) for the energy storage and electric vehicle markets.

As the Manufacturing Manager, you will be responsible for providing leadership for the manufacturing, maintenance and plant logistics team. By leading, managing, and developing people, the Manufacturing Manager will promote and utilize effective cost management, meet environmental and health responsibilities, maintain positive community relations, ensure the right to operate, meet business commitments in an environment of continuous improvement, and operate efficiently.

If you’re ready to drive the future of sustainable energy and work with the latest in cutting-edge technology, this is your opportunity to join an innovative team shaping tomorrow’s world.

I’m interested! What will I get to do in this position?

Manage Plant Operations

• Meet production and shipping commitments
• Maintain plant asset effectiveness; protect assets (people, property, product)
• Back up for plant manager and other team leaders
• Design and engineer plant improvements
• Develop and implement long range plans
• Manage plant product portfolio changes
• Manage the production, utility, maintenance, and plant logistics departments

Ensure Regulatory Compliance

• Provide safe work environment and lead safety performance
• Ensure employees comply with regulatory and plant required training
• Manage site emergencies
• Provide a substance free work environment
• Ensure environmentally responsible operations

Maintain Employee Relationships

• Lead by example with strong personal commitment to department results
• Promote growth and development of direct reports by providing ongoing feedback and coaching and assisting in establishment of employee goals
• Provide regular recognition to employees using the recognition tools
• Recruit prospective employees
• Promote teamwork, participation, and consensus style decision making and resolve conflicts
• Set and communicate expectations for all jobs

Provide Progressive Plant Culture

• Maintain positive union and management relations
• Encourage and maintain high plant standards
• Promote communications on all plant issues and encourage employee input or feedback
• Provide input to capital budget and support project execution

Ensure Cost Management

• Establish budgets and manage fixed cost targets and capital expenditures
• Pursue cost improvement opportunities
• Provide contingency planning as necessary
• Communicate budget variances

Meet Business Commitments

• Monitor production metrics and KPIs to identify areas for improvement; provide accurate and timely reports
• Ensure compliance with corporate objectives
• Communicate / advocate plant capabilities
• Respond to customer needs by evaluating and implementing new product / process opportunities; interface with sales and technical services team

What skills and experience do I need to be successful in this role?

Required Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills. Ability to effectively interact with all levels within ICL. Ability to provide clear and concise oral and written work instructions.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to analyze cost reports, identify trends, construct accurate budgets and forecasts and manage costs.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to extract, evaluate, and utilize data for process improvement from applicable systems. Experience utilizing ERP system needed (SAP preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to formulate and implement process improvements.
• Demonstrated leadership and change management skills. Capable of influencing, advocating and driving change in a business organization. Ability to lead multifunction teams to drive business improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to manage many competing demands requiring close coordination with employees and the ability to effectively set and deliver results.
• Flexibility, pragmatism, willingness to take a stand and ability to operate in ambiguous situations.
• Strong decision-making skills. Ability to make sound decisions with limited data in a timely manner.
• Strong understanding of continuous and batch processes, chemical plant unit operations and process equipment.
• Strong computer skills including preparing documents, spreadsheets, databases, statistical presentations.

Required Experience:

• Bachelor of science degree in Engineering or closely related technical field. Master's degree a plus.
• 10+ years of applicable manufacturing industry experience including a supervisory role with direct responsibility for unit performance including production, maintenance, cost control, financial results and safety.
• Management/leadership experience in a union environment strongly preferred.
• Experience in a chemical processing plant strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of and experience with lithium iron phosphate chemistry a plus.
• Demonstrated experience with ISO 9000, RC 14000, IATF 16949 a plus.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): At ICL, maintaining a safe and healthy workplace is a top priority. Employees are required to wear appropriate PPE based on the task and environment. This may include safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face masks, and, when necessary, full hazmat suits with respirators. Adherence to PPE protocols ensures the safety and well-being of all team members.

Compensation at ICL: If you are hired at ICL, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as geographic location skills, education, and/or experience. We also offer a generous benefits package.

Salary Range: $112,000-$140,000

Annual Bonus Target: 16%, subject to plan provisions.

About ICL

ICL is a global specialty minerals and chemicals company operating potash, bromine and phosphate mineral value chains in a unique, integrated business model. ICL extracts raw materials from well-positioned mineral assets and utilizes technology and industrial know-how to add value for customers in key agricultural and industrial markets worldwide.