Vice President - Global Production & Technology

Responsibilities

• Lead the global Lubricant Additives production, technology, and HSEQ organization.
• Develop, implement, and execute short, medium, and long-term global production and technology strategies.
• Ensure safe, compliant, and reliable operations in accordance with internal standards and external regulations.
• Drive sustainability initiatives, including ISCC PLUS certification and resource and energy efficiency programs.
• Continuously optimize production processes through automation, digitalization, innovation, and operational excellence.
• Improve manufacturing costs, productivity, asset utilization, and overall production efficiency.
• Lead and develop an international operations leadership organization.
• Manage internal operations and external toll-manufacturing partnerships.
• Build a high-performing global operations leadership team and strengthen organizational capabilities and succession pipelines.
• Collaborate effectively with commercial, supply chain, innovation, controlling, and other key functions to support business priorities and customer needs.
• Member of the global lubricants additives leadership team located in North America or Germany.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Chemistry, Engineering, or a comparable discipline; a Ph.D. is preferred.
• More than 15 years of professional and management experience in large production or technical organizations within the chemical industry.
• Demonstrated success leading complex, international manufacturing operations.

Skills

• Strong expertise in production strategy, asset optimization, operational excellence, and technology management.
• Proven ability to lead organizational change and inspire diverse, geographically dispersed teams.
• Excellent analytical, conceptual, project-management, and decision-making skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with creativity, initiative, pragmatism, and a strong commitment to results.
• Broad commercial understanding and a customer-focused perspective.
• Business-fluent English; German language skills are an advantage.
• An established network within relevant production and technology communities is preferred.
• Must be able to travel domestically and internationally.

Benefits

• Retirement plans, health programs, life insurance, and medical care.
• Flexible working arrangements through the global “Xwork” program.
• Commitment to professional and personal development via formal and informal learning opportunities.

Pay

The approximate starting salary for this position in the U.S. (Fords) is $270,000, with actual compensation varying based on geographic location, work experience, education, and skill level.

Schedule

This is a hybrid role requiring on‑site presence.