Site Manager - Middletown

The Shepherd Chemical Company manufactures metal-based chemicals that are essential to technologies for consumer safety, environmental sustainability, advanced product performance and industrial process efficiency at plants in Norwood, Middletown, and in France. Partnering with industries from fragrance and personal care to petrochemicals and polyurethanes, Shepherd collaborates on both standard and custom co‑developed metal chemistries. In collaboration with our customers, we are working to solve some of their most complex problems through the synthesis, scale up, and commercialization of inorganic and organic metal compounds.

Our employees scale projects from “concept to container”, travel the world to visit customers and attend industry conferences, and participate in community initiatives for health, wellness, safety and philanthropy. Performing meaningful work with trusted, talented colleagues is our formula for success and being a great place to work. Every day, our employees relentlessly pursue Shepherd’s Core Purpose and Core Values.

We are looking for a hands‑on Site Manager to lead our Middletown plant operations, including production, maintenance, purchasing, distribution, safety, quality, and team performance. This is a high‑impact leadership role for someone who thrives in a chemical manufacturing environment, knows how to build accountability, and can turn daily plant activity into measurable results.

In this role, you will lead a cross‑functional site team that includes laboratory staff, mechanics, chemical operators, administrative support, and production. You will own plant performance, strengthen safety and compliance practices, support continuous improvement, and help ensure the Middletown facility operates reliably, efficiently, and responsibly.

• Lead day‑to‑day Middletown plant operations across production, maintenance, purchasing, inventory, distribution, and facility upkeep.
• Drive continuous improvement projects that increase reliability, improve productivity, reduce losses, and minimize operating costs.
• Champion a strong safety culture by reinforcing Safe Start principles and ensuring safe work practices
• Ensure corrective action investigations are completed and documented for injuries, environmental releases, quality escapes, and process issues.
• Plan, organize, and direct manufacturing and maintenance activities to meet customer demand while maximizing return on assets.
• Maintain accurate batch sheets, work instructions, training records, SAP transactions, inventory records, and quality documentation.
• Lead, coach, and hold team members accountable for attendance, productivity, conduct, safety expectations, and company policies.
• Cross‑train chemical operators to improve flexibility, coverage, and overall team capability.
• Manage plant budget, productivity goals, material usage, rework, inventory, and process order variances.
• Build strong communication across shifts and teams through regular production meetings, shift‑change meetings, and cross‑functional collaboration.
• Support compliance with ISO
  9001, Responsible Care, environmental requirements, DOT requirements, and all applicable regulatory standards.
• Partner with R&D, Manufacturing, Sales, Maintenance, Safety, and Quality teams to identify and share best practices.

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of chemical plant operations or manufacturing leadership experience.
• Proven ability to lead plant, production, maintenance, laboratory, and technical personnel.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively with employees, leaders, customers, suppliers, and regulatory agencies.
• Demonstrated analytical thinking and data‑based problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• General knowledge of mechanical, instrumentation, equipment operations, and maintenance practices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; SAP experience is strongly beneficial.
• Ability to support hands‑on operations when needed, including running processes and equipment, shipping and receiving bulk tank trucks, and working with maintenance asset management systems.
• DOT training and certification, or the ability to obtain and maintain certification.

• Competitive Pay
• Health and Life Insurance (eligibility date of hire)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Company 401K Contribution (eligibility date of hire)
• Fitness Membership subsidy
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays

EEO Statement:
The Shepherd Material Science Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age (40 or over), disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.