The Senior Director, Manufacturing Operations is responsible for overseeing all aspects of operations at Avantor’s chemical manufacturing facility in Paris, KY. This leader will drive a culture of safety, compliance, and continuous improvement within an OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) and FDA-regulated environment.

A key focus of the role is on deploying Avantor Business System (ABS) and Lean principles to ensure world-class performance, operational discipline, and sustainable growth. This position will manage all site functions, including manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, quality, and EHS in a matrixed environment.

This role is full-time, onsite at the Paris, KY facility.

What we’re looking for

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Operations, or a related field. An advanced degree is preferred.

Experience: 10+ years of leadership experience in chemical or FDA-regulated manufacturing environments

Demonstrated expertise in OSHA PSM compliance.

Experience managing multifunctional operations teams including production, maintenance, engineering, and quality.

Proven success in Lean/ABS transformation and cultural change leadership.

Strong technical background in chemical or pharmaceutical process manufacturing.

Proficiency in performance management, strategic planning, and cross-functional execution.

Ability to lead diverse teams and influence across all levels of the organization.

Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making skills.

High integrity and results-driven with a bias for action and accountability.

Deep understanding of regulated manufacturing environments including OSHA PSM and FDA.

Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills; adept in data-driven decision-making.

Ability to inspire and motivate teams in a high-demand, fast-paced production setting.

Competence in ERP systems, Lean tools, and operational dashboards.

How you will thrive and create an impact  

Site Operations Leadership:

Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Paris, KY site, ensuring high performance in safety, quality, cost, delivery, and employee engagement.

Lead the site in full compliance with OSHA PSM, EPA, FDA, and relevant health and safety regulations.

Oversee production, engineering, maintenance, and support functions to meet daily, weekly, and long-term performance targets.

Lean & ABS Implementation:

Champion the application of Lean manufacturing and ABS methodologies to eliminate waste, improve process capability, and drive productivity.

Embed structured problem-solving and root cause analysis into daily operations.

Compliance & Quality Assurance:

Ensure robust systems are in place to comply with internal standards and external regulatory requirements.

Partner with quality and regulatory teams to meet and exceed customer expectations in a compliant and consistent manner.

People & Culture Development:

Build and develop a high-performing team; promote a culture of accountability, safety, and collaboration.

Mentor site leadership and drive employee engagement and talent development initiatives.

Financial & Operational Accountability:

Manage site budget and capital plans.

Drive cost control, resource utilization, and continuous performance improvement.

Oversee capital investments and expansion efforts to support business growth.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Act as the primary site liaison to executive leadership, customers, and regulatory agencies.

Collaborate with global supply chain, commercial, R&D, and other internal stakeholders to support business strategy.

Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.
 
The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.
 
We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world. Apply today!

EEO Statement:

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at recruiting@avantorsciences.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Know Your Rights poster.

3rd Party Non-Solicitation Policy:

By submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates, regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation.