Director of Process Manufacturing/Pilot Plant, Scale up,Chemical

Director, Chemical Process Development & Pilot Operations ( Domestic/International)

• Direct Hire/Perm -
• LOCATION: Onsite in Memphis, TN, with TRAVEL REQUIRED

An established specialty Chemical manufacturing organization is seeking a Director, Process Development & Pilot Operations to lead pilot-scale manufacturing, process commercialization, process safety, and continuous improvement initiatives for operations in the US and abroad.

This role serves as a leading voice of direction between product development and manufacturing, ensuring new technologies are successfully scaled and transferred into commercial production, and eill directly lead efforts as listed below to help analyze, scale-up, Launch and optimize manufacturing of our products across our locations and facilities.

In this role you will actively be responsible for:

• Leading pilot plant operations with a focus on safety, quality, and efficiency.
• Managing pilot trials, production campaigns, and process development activities.
• Overseeing equipment reliability, maintenance programs, and capital improvement projects.
• Maintaining operating procedures and technical process documentation.
• Converting laboratory-developed processes into pilot and production-scale operations.
• Leading scale-up efforts, process optimization, and manufacturing readiness activities.
• Supporting technology transfer and commercialization projects across manufacturing sites.
• Drive initiatives that improve safety, quality, throughput, yield, and cost performance.
• Lead root cause analysis and cross-functional problem-solving efforts.
• Utilize operational data to improve process reliability and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead hazard reviews, change management processes, safety audits, and incident investigations.
• Promote a strong process safety culture across operations.
• Evaluate alternative raw materials and support supply chain flexibility.
• Lead pilot testing and process validation efforts.
• Oversee SOP governance, document control, and manufacturing standards.

We are seeking a senior manager, with a broad skill set, with ideally experience with both DOMESTIC and INTERNATIONAL manufacturing, working with

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience in chemical manufacturing, process development, or pilot plant operations.
  • Experience in specialty chemicals, industrial chemicals, or related process industries.
• 5+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing or technical environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in process scale-up, commercialization, and technology transfer.
• Strong knowledge of process safety, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance.
• Lean Six Sigma or operational excellence experience.
• Knowledge of relevant environmental and product regulations.
• Strong business and financial acumen; MBA a plus.
• Strategic leader with a hands-on approach to manufacturing and process development.
• Proven ability to lead teams, commercialize new processes, and improve operational performance.
• Strong communicator with experience working across engineering, R&D, operations, and leadership teams.

Might this be you?

Benefits

• Vacation/PTO
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401k
• Bonus
• Relocation
• Telecommute