Production Manager – Specialty Metals

About the role

Umicore is seeking a Production Manager for its Specialty Metals Unit within Precious Metals Refining in Antwerp/Hoboken. You will lead daily operations, translate priorities into safe, reliable and cost‑effective execution, and drive continuous improvement across production, maintenance, logistics and quality.

Key responsibilities

• Lead day‑to‑day operations, delivering targets for safety, environment, quality, productivity, cost, reliability and people engagement.
• Translate production priorities into short‑ and mid‑term operational plans, allocate resources and monitor KPIs.
• Monitor process performance, intervene when needed, and ensure timely escalation and corrective actions.
• Embed safe work practices, risk awareness, environmental discipline and compliance with internal and legal standards.
• Coach and develop the operational team, setting expectations, providing feedback and fostering competence.
• Coordinate with maintenance, process engineering, logistics and other stakeholders to ensure reliable execution.
• Drive continuous improvement, standardisation and data‑enabled performance management.
• Oversee asset availability, reliability and maintenance cost optimisation.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in chemical engineering, metallurgy, chemistry or equivalent technical experience.
• Minimum 5 years of solid operational experience in a complex industrial, chemical, metallurgical or refining environment.
• Proven leadership in safety, environmental performance, quality, reliability and cost management.
• Strong communication skills, able to align stakeholders at all organisational levels.
• Fluent in Dutch and English, both spoken and written.

Required skills

• Chemical engineering
• Metallurgy
• Process engineering
• Production planning and resource allocation
• Data‑driven problem solving and performance analysis
• Continuous improvement methodologies
• Budgeting and cost management
• Safety compliance and business process management

What we offer

• A collaborative, inclusive work culture that encourages idea sharing and career development.
• Opportunities to work on cutting‑edge recycling and refining technologies.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Support for continuous learning and professional growth.