About Chase Corporation
Founded in 1946 we have grown to become a global specialty chemicals company that is a leading manufacturer of protective materials for high-reliability applications across diverse market sectors.
Today we employ nearly 800 people and continue to grow and strengthen our business by employing a related diversification strategy that combines organic growth initiatives with strategic acquisitions.
Based in Westwood, Massachusetts, USA we operate manufacturing facilities in the United States, Europe, and Asia and continue to invest in our capabilities in order to deliver value to our global customer base demands.
Role Overview
The Houston Site Leader is the senior on-site manufacturing leader responsible for the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of the Houston facility. Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, this role has full accountability for site performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, employee engagement, and regulatory compliance.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring an experienced chemical process engineer with direct supervisory experience in batch chemical processing or solvent-based paint and coatings manufacturing. The Site Leader leads from the floor, working closely with operators to resolve issues in real time while coordinating planning, scheduling, and cross-functional execution with commercial, engineering, and support teams.
The role is accountable for delivering site KPIs, managing the operating budget, supporting capital projects, and ensuring EH&S compliance while meeting customer and commercial commitments.
Key Responsibilities
Site Operations & Leadership
- Lead and supervise all daily manufacturing operations, including work assignments, staffing, and material flow.
- Maintain a strong, visible presence on the shop floor; actively engage with employees, address concerns, and resolve issues promptly and professionally.
- Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Demonstrate flexibility and ownership, including a willingness to perform hands-on operational tasks as required.
Safety, Quality & Compliance
- Ensure a safe working environment and full compliance with EH&S, OSHA, and Company policies and procedures.
- Achieve and sustain 100% Right First Time (RFT) performance and meet all customer delivery commitments.
- Ensure employee training is current, documented, and compliant with regulatory and Company requirements.
- Enforce work rules, HR policies, and disciplinary actions consistently and professionally.
- Oversee hazardous waste management and regulatory compliance programs.
Planning, Scheduling & Asset Reliability
- Coordinate planning, scheduling, and shipping activities in partnership with the Administrative Assistant.
- Ensure raw material availability and staffing levels required to support operations.
- Maintain and coordinate updates to process and equipment P&IDs as required.
- Ensure preventive maintenance programs are executed and sustained across all site equipment.
Inventory, Financial Controls & Reporting
- Support inventory control processes, including cycle counts, shipping, and receiving; provide hands-on support when necessary.
- Review cycle count activities and ensure compliance with financial control requirements.
- Manage the site operating budget and deliver performance against established KPIs.
Continuous Improvement & Capital Support
- Identify, recommend, and support improvements to manufacturing processes, equipment utilization, and plant layout.
- Lead site-wide 5S implementation and sustainment, including employee training.
- Support capital project planning and execution in coordination with Operations and Engineering leadership.
Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
- Communicate effectively and professionally with all levels of the organization, both verbally and in writing.
- Partner cross-functionally with Sales, R&D, Purchasing, EH&S, and other Chase support teams.
- Interface with external inspection and audit agencies (e.g., UL, ISO), as well as local and state regulatory authorities and emergency services.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering required.
- Minimum 10 years of experience in batch chemical processing and/or solvent-based paint and coatings manufacturing.
- Proven hands-on process engineering experience with direct supervisory and leadership responsibility.
- Demonstrated leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills; strong mechanical aptitude.
- Ability to remain calm, positive, and effective under pressure while managing rapidly changing priorities.
- Working knowledge of:
- High-pressure steam and boiler systems
- Batch processing operations
- Hazardous and flammable materials
- Pressurized vessels and pump systems
- Blending, mixing, filtration, and fluid flow
- Heat transfer and heat exchanger systems
- Fluent in English (written and verbal).
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering required.
