Plant Manager (m/f/d)
Location: Southern Germany / District of Lörrach
* €110,000 – €120,000 basic salary
* 13th Month Payment = 13.5 Month
* 15% Performance Bonus
* 30 Days Leave
* Company Pension Scheme
* Health Insurance
* Job Bike/Canteen + Other Great Benefits
* Relocation Support Negotiable
Umbilical Search is pleased to partner with a global leader in the chemical manufacturing sector, operating one of the world’s most modern and largest production facilities for innovative products.
With a focus on sustainable growth and operational excellence, this company delivers top-tier products to international markets while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and environmental responsibility.
This 24/7, five-shift batch and continuous process manufacturing site boasts a fully integrated production flow with up to 60 pieces of specialised equipment, covering raw material handling, complex chemical and downstream processing, drying, blending, material handling and packaging.
As part of a strategic leadership enhancement, we are seeking a dynamic and technically proficient Plant Manager to lead operations, manage a talented team, and drive continuous improvement at this flagship facility.
For further information on this confidential assignment, please email an up-to-date CV and contact number to ajay@umbilicaladvanced.com
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead all aspects of production and operations for a 24/7 manufacturing plant operating across five shifts – You will work days Monday to Friday
* Manage 40 direct production and operations staff, including 5 Shift Leaders and 25 operators, along with Plant Chemists and Continuous Improvement teams
* Partner with central departments (H&S, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Finance) to support site activities without direct line management
* Ensure production meets stringent quality, safety, regulatory, and customer requirements
* Drive operational efficiency, throughput, cost control, and equipment reliability through lean manufacturing and preventive maintenance
* Monitor KPIs including OEE, yield, downtime, scrap, deviations, staff availability, and absenteeism; implement corrective actions as needed
* Oversee budget planning, cost control, and capital expenditure aligned with company financial guidelines
* Develop a high-performance culture focused on safety, quality, continuous improvement, and employee engagement
* Manage recruitment, training, performance management, succession planning, and union relations with the Union and Workers’ Council
* Coordinate with R&D, supply chain, and commercial teams for new product scale-up and technical transfers
* Represent the plant during audits and ensure the timely resolution of any findings
About You:
* Role: Plant Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Production Manager, Operations Manager or a related role
* Education: PhD or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related discipline
* Extensive experience (3+ years) in manufacturing roles within chemical process industries, ideally in complex batch and continuous process plants
* Proven leadership and personnel management skills with a track record of inspiring and developing teams
* Strong knowledge of quality management systems and regulatory compliance
* Experience with budgeting, cost control, and continuous improvement methodologies
* Fluent in German and English, with excellent communication skills and a solution-oriented mindset
* High learning agility and the ability to apply technical problem-solving in a complex environment
This is a unique opportunity to lead one of the industry’s premier chemical manufacturing sites with full autonomy, making a tangible impact in a high-growth, innovation-driven environment.
How to apply:
Please click “apply” or for further information, please contact Ajay Bhella at Umbilical Limited, alternatively, please email me an up-to-date copy of your CV to ajay@umbilicaladvanced.com
Umbilical Limited is committed to promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. We act as a neutral third party in the recruitment process, basing our candidate searches on skills and experience.
We do not discriminate based on age, gender, sex, relationship status, disability, race, religion/beliefs, or sexual orientation.