Department

Film Manufacturing

Job title

Plant Manager

Location

Monheim am Rhein, Germany

About us: Iconic brand, tiny company.

Polaroid was founded in 1937 by one of the most seminal innovators of the 20th century, Edwin Land. His motto was, “don't undertake a project unless it is manifestly important and nearly impossible.” In 2008, Polaroid shuttered its last factory but a group of diehard fans came together as The Impossible Project to save instant film. Over 10 years later that start-up acquired what was left of Polaroid and today we’re again a small group of people passionate about empowering creators to change the world in the name of Polaroid.

What we are building: Tools for creators.

Throughout its 80-year history, Polaroid was at its best when we made tools for people to express themselves, push boundaries and move culture forward. In the next decade, we are getting back to this purpose. We're not solving small problems, and we're not addressing a small market; our goal is to make products that will make the world more meaningful and human.

Job description:

Reporting to the Global Head of Film Manufacturing, the Plant Manager will be responsible for driving operational excellence within our film coating factory in Monheim am Rhein, Germany.

Overseeing a factory of ~60 employees, the plant manager will lead the site leadership team which includes Operations, Engineering, Service & Maintenance, Quality, EHS, and will work closely with local support functions of Finance, HR, and R&D.

The plant manager will be tasked with achieving all operational and financial objectives relating to delivery, efficiency, quality, cost, EHS & compliance. Moreover, this leader should create a winning team through key hiring, coaching, mentoring, and driving continuous improvement as well as providing accurate and timely communication to the downstream internal customer.

As Plant Manager, the responsibilities will include (but may not be limited to):

  • Drives and develops EHS processes and procedures within the organisation implementing a behavioural approach to safety, also taking steps to meet all environmental legislation and compliance requirements
  • Provides leadership, coordination and coaching to the site leadership team enabling them to achieve the operational and financial goals and metrics of the organisation.
  • Drive quality improvement and process development throughout the organisation, implementing a customer focused operational culture
  • Develops and implements effective systems and processes to measure and improve performance
  • Co-ordinate activities of the team to optimise cost performance of the plant through capital investment programs, optimising operating working capital usage and minimising waste through the development of a continuous improvement culture encompassing lean principles and clear strategic development
  • Directs and develops the teams in the plant and operating procedures to ensure customer service performance measured through quality, cost and delivery is continuously improved
  • Interacts closely with the (internal) downstream customer team and the wider Polaroid organization in delivering on divisional performance and key strategic projects

Experience required:

  • 10 years’ experience of managing and leading a substantial & complex manufacturing organization
  • Significant experience in leadership, mentoring and motivating teams
  • Strong continuous improvement background focusing on lean and six sigma tools and techniques
  • Proven change agent, with strong change management skills
  • Business acumen with strong financial skills, especially cost centre management and business case analysis and development
  • Proven track record of building organisational capability and talent through effective recruiting, training, coaching, development and optimizing organizational design
  • Senior executive communication and presentation skills, comfortable with public speaking and presenting
  • Strong project management skills, focussed on execution

Technical requirements:

  • Detail oriented, with strong follow through
  • Strong in dealing with ambiguity and courage to challenge the status quo
  • Talent for motivating others to achieve their full potential
  • Sees opportunities where others see barriers
  • Purposeful, helpful and strategic while engaging with internal and external stakeholders
  • Ability to turn high stress circumstances into manageable and actionable plans
  • Extensive knowledge of manufacturing, in a technical environment
  • Process oriented and solid time management skills
  • Nimble, thoughtful and humble in approach to solving problems
  • German & English language fluency is required

The ideal candidate:

  • Professional
  • Detail oriented
  • Excellent with time management
  • Decisive
  • Diligent with follow through
  • Collaborative
  • Adaptable
  • Problem Solver

What to expect:

This is a full-time role based in our factory in Monheim am Rhein, Germany. You will be reporting directly to the Global Head of Film Manufacturing and working closely with stakeholders across Polaroid teams including other manufacturing entities, finance, R&D & HR.

Cover Letter/Note to us:

If you’d like to be considered for the role, please email your CV, salary requirement, motivation and/or any other relevant information to support your application to careers@polaroid.com.