Plant Manager – RCH Japan

Job Purpose:

As Head of Production / Plant Manager for Rhein Chemie at the Toyohashi site, you will lead and manage all site operations to ensure safe, compliant, efficient and cost-effective production. You will be responsible for the performance of production, warehousing, maintenance, engineering, logistics, quality and HSEQ-related activities, while ensuring that operations meet LANXESS guidelines, Japanese regulatory standards, customer requirements and business objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the Rhein Chemie Toyohashi site and contribute to the current and future direction of the business, including responsibility for site performance and budget preparation.
• Direct and manage operating and support functions, including production, safety and environmental compliance, engineering, maintenance, quality assurance, logistics and warehousing.
• Ensure safe, compliant and ethical operations in line with LANXESS guidelines, Japanese regulatory requirements, HSEQ standards and internal policies.
• Drive efficient production performance, production scheduling and planning, cost control, high product quality and reliable supply according to market and customer demand.
• Develop and implement site policies, procedures and improvement measures to strengthen operational safety, quality, efficiency and resource utilization.
• Lead, develop and train plant employees, including performance evaluations, feedback, coaching and capability-building for the site team.
• Review customer complaints and ensure robust root cause analysis and sustainable corrective actions, including methods such as 8D reports and Ishikawa analysis.
• Oversee capital investment, maintenance, inspections, expansion, utilities and sustainability-related asset management to support safe and effective plant operations.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in engineering, manufacturing technology, natural sciences or a related technical field.
• 5–10 years of professional experience in production, manufacturing, engineering or plant operations, including leadership responsibility.
• Strong technical background and proven ability to manage manufacturing operations, site performance, budgets and cost-control topics.
• Strong leadership, people management and interpersonal skills, with the ability to coach, motivate and develop teams.
• Knowledge of Lean, TPM, Kaizen or other continuous improvement / best-in-class manufacturing techniques is an advantage.
• Local Japanese resident with good English language skills, ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders across different organizational levels.