About this role
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 2024 revenue of $3.6 billion, our mission to Connect What Matters is brought to life by more than 7,500 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. Learn more at www.hbfuller.com.
The Senior Production Manager reports to the Production Director and is responsible for overseeing all production, shipping, and receiving operations at the Fridley site. This role leads the Fridley Operations team in building a best‑in‑class culture centered on Safety, Continuous Improvement, and Operational Discipline. Success in this role is achieved when every employee is aligned on meeting customer requirements and continuously improving daily processes. The Senior Production Manager will also partner with other plant managers and regional/global operations teams to design, implement, and sustain systems that elevate the Fridley site to best‑in‑class performance within H.B. Fuller’s adhesives manufacturing network.
Primary Responsibilities
• Champion safety as a core value and ensure compliance with all applicable safety, health, and environmental regulations.
• Lead and drive continuous improvement in housekeeping and 5S across the facility.
• Develop, mentor, and support Fridley shift managers, field experts, and other operations personnel to build and maintain an engaged, high‑performing workforce.
• Partner and share knowledge with peers to contribute to a collaborative, co‑development work environment.
• Create and execute the operational vision for the Fridley site in alignment with site and company-wide strategies.
• Develop and implement organizational strategies that support H.B. Fuller’s strategic priorities.
• Utilize robust management systems to measure, evaluate, and improve operational performance.
• Establish and maintain high production standards to ensure on-time delivery of quality products that meet customer needs.
• Manage operational and capital budgets, prioritize cost‑reduction initiatives, and lead continuous improvement projects.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with commercial, marketing, operations, supply chain, HR, Finance, and R&D teams.
• Facilitate collaborative teamwork across the site and with external partners; manage stakeholder expectations and prioritize work to meet deadlines.
Demonstrated Proficiency in H.B. Fuller Competencies
• Innovation – Demonstrates curiosity, supports new approaches, and embeds best practices into processes.
• Accountability – Drives data‑based results and achieves both long‑term and short‑term objectives.
• Performance Excellence – Sets high standards and applies a disciplined, process‑focused approach to problem solving.
• Change & Risk Taking – Articulates a compelling vision for change, removes barriers, and takes informed risks.
• Customer Focus – Empowers teams to deliver high‑quality, innovative, value‑added solutions.
• Teamwork – Builds and leads high‑performing teams, fosters trust, and supports knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Employees Supervised
• Shift Managers
• Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Control teams
Budgetary Responsibility
• Oversees cost centers related to plant operations, including T&E and plant‑related expenditures.
• Prepares business cases for capital investments and budget increases.
• Participates actively in the capital planning and budgeting process.
Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or technical discipline, or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of progressive operations leadership experience with a strong record of success.
• Demonstrated experience leading significant change within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven success in organizational development and building high‑performing teams.
• Experience driving change management initiatives.
• Knowledge of SAP or similar ERP systems.
• Strong analytical and advanced problem‑solving skills; able to prioritize, align teams, and achieve defined goals.
• Effective communicator, coach, and collaborator across levels and functions.
• Ability to escalate and resolve conflicts effectively.
• Fluent in English.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with Process Safety Management (PSM).
• Six Sigma certification (Green or Black Belt).
• Experience applying continuous improvement tools (TQM, DMAIC, FMEA, Lean, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, etc.).
• Experience in distribution or warehouse operations.
• MBA (Operations, Finance, Accounting).
Physical Demands
• Regularly perform physical tasks in a manufacturing environment.
• Frequently walk, stand, climb stairs, and sit for extended periods.
• Routinely lift up to 50 lbs independently; occasionally lift more than 100 lbs with assistance.
• Work around fast‑moving machinery, noise, heat, solvents, and chemicals.
• Ability to travel occasionally as needed.
#LI-MM1
Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, and geographic location.
The salary for this role is $120,000 - $140,000.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.
Other facts
About H.B. Fuller
H.B. Fuller is a leading global adhesives provider focusing on perfecting adhesives, sealants and other specialty chemical products to improve products and lives.
Your day probably begins and ends with us. Just about everywhere you look – including the windows through which you see and the magazines you read – you’ll find industrial adhesives and sealants produced by H.B. Fuller. Most likely, we made the glue holding together your cereal box, the seals that keep your refrigerator airtight, and the specialty adhesive in your baby’s disposable diaper. While our products are virtually invisible, they play a vital role in ensuring the quality and convenience of modern life. We take pride in working with our customers to add value.
At H.B. Fuller, we are committed to connecting what matters, bringing together people, products and processes that answer and solve some of the world's biggest adhesion challenges. Through our reliable, responsive technical service, we create lasting, rewarding connections with customers in the packaging, hygiene, electronic and assembly materials, automotive, paper converting, woodworking, construction, general assembly and consumer goods industries.
And, we are committed to building an environment where employees are engaged, challenged and given an opportunity to drive superior results. We firmly believe that our employees drive the success of the company. With long-term, profitable growth as the ultimate goal, we strive to cultivate an environment that offers stimulating and financially rewarding opportunities.
What you'll do
- The Senior Production Manager is responsible for overseeing all production, shipping, and receiving operations at the Fridley site, leading the operations team to build a culture centered on safety and continuous improvement. This role also involves partnering with other plant managers to elevate the site to best-in-class performance.
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