Director - Chemical Operations

Kurita America is part of the Kurita Group, one of the leading water solutions providers in the world. Established in 1949, the Kurita Group is comprised of an international network of approximately 8000 employees located in 18 countries.

Located in Minneapolis, MN, Kurita America brings innovations to market through a holistic water management approach, incorporating state-of-the art equipment, chemistries, engineering, and services to conserve natural resources for a better, more sustainable world.

Kurita's corporate philosophy is to study the properties of water, master them and create an environment in which nature and humanity are in harmony

The Director of Chemical Operations is responsible for leading all production, warehouse, and operational activities at the Fort Worth manufacturing facility. This role will oversee the facility's initial build-out and commissioning, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and ensure operational excellence in safety, quality, efficiency, and cost management. The Director will collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize chemical manufacturing processes, maintain regulatory compliance, and support strategic business objectives.

Location Information: Grapevine, TX

On-Site

Travel: Up to 10%

Comp: $165K to $185K

Lead the build-out, commissioning, and phased expansion of the Fort Worth production facility.
• Oversee all production and warehouse operations, ensuring efficiency, safety, and key performance metrics (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, Cost, People).
• Foster a culture of safety, innovation, and continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with OSHA and ISO 9001/14001 standards.
• Coordinate with KAI materials planning to optimize raw material stocking and production of blended formulas.
• Monitor KPIs, drive continuous improvement, and oversee corrective and preventive actions.
• Manage relationships with KAI toll blenders across Texas and the Gulf Coast.
• Lead strategic projects, set performance goals, and develop site manufacturing leaders.
• Oversee hiring, training, staff development, and retention of high-potential employees.

Experience:

• 10+ years' experience in production and/or project management
• Plant manager experience in manufacturing facility
• Proven track record of delivering results in a high-performance continuous improvement environment
• Previous management experience, with direct reports
• Shown forward thinking task management, process management and identification abilities
• Demonstrated ability to establish schedules, change management and communication
• Experience in leading change management.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to interact with all levels of employees.
• Strong supervisory skills.
• Outstanding time management capabilities.
• Chemical handling knowledge.
• Mechanical aptitude and abilities.

Physical and Mental Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to:

The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Climbing, ascending, and descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and industrial equipment, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms.

• Reaching and extending hands and arms in any direction.
• Standing and walking for sustained periods of time.
• Using upper extremities to move objects and equipment with steady force.
• Sometimes working in temperatures above 100 degrees for periods of more than one hour.

EEO/AA/F/M/Vet/Disabled