Production Manager

Aurubis – metallurgy is our passion. We are a leading global multi-metal company and one of the largest copper recyclers worldwide. We process complex metal concentrates, scrap metals, and metal-bearing recycling materials into metals of the highest purity. These metals serve as the basis for key megatrends such as digitalization, renewable energies, e-mobility, and urbanization. Aurubis has about 7,000 employees, production sites in Europe and the US, and an extensive worldwide distribution system. Join our team and promote progress together with us!

The Aurubis Richmond Production Manager is a key leader in turning ideas into results—guiding processes from early concept through implementation and ensuring smooth operations once in production. This role blends strategic planning with hands-on oversight, driving performance, safety, and efficiency across the manufacturing process.

In this position, you will:

- Oversee day-to-day production activities, ensuring targets for quality, output, and cost are met.

- Lead process improvements to boost productivity, reduce downtime, and optimize resources.

- Coordinate closely with operations, maintenance, supply chain, and other departments to deliver seamless production flow.

- Lead standardized and advanced process engineering for metallurgical or chemical equipment.

- Expand the organization’s process engineering capabilities.

- Support safe work practices, procurement specifications, supplier negotiations, and claims management.

- Manage project documentation and partner with teams to ensure operational readiness for new equipment or processes.

- Supervise manufacturing processes after commissioning to ensure consistent performance.

You will also work closely with the Production Director on departmental staffing, collaborating with local HR on administrative, hands-on, and personnel development needs.

Production Manager

Your Tasks

Staff

Provide daily coaching, feedback, and guidance to production staff.

Develop and execute training programs covering processes, health, safety, and environmental standards.

Motivate, engage, and empower employees to achieve objectives while fostering a culture of respect and collaboration aligned with Aurubis values.

Ensure the production team is fully staffed, retaining critical skills and knowledge.

Define clear roles, responsibilities, and KPIs for all production positions, and ensure accountability through the Production Manager.

Health, Safety & Environment

Champion a strong safety culture, ensuring continuous improvement in occupational safety awareness.

Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations; act promptly on reported safety issues.

Identify and document unsafe practices or conditions, coordinate corrective actions with the HSE Manager, and monitor follow-up.

Serve as a role model for safe behavior, inspiring high safety standards among all team members.

Ensure all environmental requirements are met and address any deviations in coordination with the EHS Manager.

Continuous Improvement

Actively participate in the Aurubis Operating System (AOS) program to drive performance improvements.

Identify opportunities to enhance production volume, safety, quality, efficiency, and environmental performance.

Coordinate with suppliers and contractors to develop improvement proposals and budget estimates.

Support decision-making on improvement priorities and monitor small projects through completion.

Collaborate on larger operational and engineering initiatives, supporting implementation and employee rollout.

Take a lead role in the “management of change” process within the production department.

Other

Participate in daily production meetings, providing insights and recommendations.

Share best practices by attending seminars and networking with colleagues at other plants.

Partner with other departments to ensure smooth, efficient operations and strong cross-functional communication.

Work closely with HR on workforce planning, development initiatives, and organizational projects.

Contribute to special projects and other assigned tasks to support departmental and corporate objectives.

Your Profile

B.S./B.A in a related field is required.

Master’s degree in Metallurgy, Process Engineering, or comparable related area is highly preferred.

Minimum 7 years of practical experience in engineering, production, or related technology fields.

Previous experience as a production engineer and/or manager, ideally in an international environment.

Strong understanding of chemical or metallurgical production processes.

Knowledge of EPA/EPD and OSHA regulations; ability to achieve OSHA Train-the-Trainer certification.

Preferred: Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification or willingness to obtain.

Proven ability to motivate and lead teams to meet production and quality targets.

Hands-on expertise with hazardous materials or practices in the workplace.

Experience with ISO 14001 and OSHA 18001/ISO 45001 standards.

Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and relevant software tools (e.g., ERP, simulation software).

Willingness to travel and adapt to changing priorities.

Skills & Competencies

Exceptional leadership, coaching, and team-building abilities.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills; able to influence and inspire others.

Demonstrated success as a change leader, fostering cultural and operational improvements.

Excellent organizational skills to manage the full production process.

Decisive problem-solver with the ability to manage staff or equipment issues effectively.

Resilient under pressure; able to maintain professionalism and composure in challenging situations.

Adaptable, with a proven ability to pivot quickly in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.

Strategic thinker with the ability to make trade-off decisions aligned with company objectives.

Passion for metals and continuous self-development.

High level of independence in planning, organization, and execution, balanced with strong team collaboration skills.

Physical Requirements

Must be willing and physically able to observe and walk in a smelter environment.

Must be willing and physically able to work in varying cold and heat situations.

Could have times that are prolonged periods of walking, standing, and bending.

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times.

Ability to travel throughout the facility as required to conduct audits and make observations

Must wear all required PPE when in protected areas.

Required to reach and grasp with hands and reach with arms.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Willing and physically able to travel domestically and/or internationally if requested.

We Offer

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Disability insurance

Health insurance

Vision insurance