Shift Team Leader – Manufacturing

Lead safe, reliable performance in a complex chemical manufacturing environment. At Croda, our Shift Team Leaders build capable teams, reinforce high operating standards, and help deliver sustainable, high-performance specialty chemical solutions.

As a Shift Team Leader for Manufacturing, you will supervise and motivate a shift team of operations and laboratory technicians. You will be highly visible in encouraging safe behavior, setting clear expectations, developing team capability, and ensuring efficient unit performance. You will not tolerate substandard work, particularly violations of established rules and procedures.

Core Responsibilities

Safety, Security and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure the entire team complies with site safety and security policies, protocols, and procedures.

• Maintain working knowledge of OSHA process safety elements and mastery of the unit Basis of Safety document.

• Conduct behavior-based safety assessments of routine and non-routine work practices and identify improvement opportunities.

• Perform routine facility inspections and periodic audits of inventories, equipment, procedures, and training to support compliance with local, state, and federal requirements.

• Prepare safe work permits for work on and around the unit premises.

• Ensure incidents, accidents, and injuries occurring on shift are reported and investigated accurately and promptly.

Operational Leadership

• Monitor key operating metrics and assist unit operators with adjustments to achieve target throughput.

• Help maximize process efficiency while minimizing steam and electricity consumption and waste generation.

• Investigate and troubleshoot issues involving process performance, product quality, and equipment performance.

• Ensure effective use of personnel, materials, and equipment by identifying, reporting, and correcting deficiencies.

• Provide visible day-to-day leadership across shift operations and laboratory activities.

People Leadership

• Supervise, motivate, coach, and develop operations and laboratory technicians.

• Support training, performance monitoring, recognition, and discipline responsibilities in accordance with site requirements.

• Participate actively in recruiting new technicians and apprentices for the site.

• Maintain positive employee and labor relations through accurate administration of the collective bargaining agreement.

• Set high standards for safe, compliant, and reliable work and address substandard performance.

Experience and Expertise

• Seven or more years of experience working in a chemical plant required; experience with continuous production of hazardous chemicals is a plus.

• Two or more years of experience leading hourly operations personnel across multiple shifts in a production environment.

• Previous experience with chemical processing equipment and operating systems.

• Working knowledge of state, federal, and local environmental regulations.

• Laboratory and computer experience preferred.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Access, SAP, and Aspen products preferred.

• Previous HAZWOPER training is a plus.

• Associate degree in a related technical field required.

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering is a plus.

• Chemical Process Operator certification or completion of an equivalent program is a plus.

• Ability to lead, motivate, coach, and hold a shift team accountable.

• Strong safety awareness, operational judgment, troubleshooting ability, and attention to detail.

• Ability to communicate clearly across shifts, functions, and levels of the organization.

Working at Croda

The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary and benefits package, including:

• Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, available immediately

• Generous PTO

• 401(k) match

• Wellness reimbursement

• Parental leave

• Career development

• Company-paid and voluntary Life and AD&D insurance

• Short- and long-term disability

• Paid holidays

• And more

Why Croda?

At Croda, we believe our people are our difference. We are people-led, driven by the desire to do good and deliver value, a unifying principle shaped by all the great people who have travelled through Croda since our beginning in 1925. Guided by our values of Responsible, Innovative, and Together, we bring together diverse teams and talents from across the globe and are passionate about building an inclusive, collaborative, and diverse organization with innovation and customer focus underpinning all that we do.

Additional Information

This is a site-based, shift role in New Castle, DE.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the hiring process or experience any issues with our online application process, please email candidate@croda.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Croda recognizes employees as our strength, and the diversity they bring to our workforce is directly linked to our ongoing success. We are an equal opportunity employer and place a high value on diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, we make reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs. Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veterans. This organization participates in E-Verify.