Direttore di Stabilimento / Direttore Generale - Produttore di Nero di Carbonio, Industria Chimica

Shape the future with us – long-term and with impact.

You make the difference – we provide the space to grow!

Take a closer look at your daily life: whether in your clothing, your smartphone, wall paint, car tires, or even in batteries – the industrial carbon blacks manufactured by Orion are found in countless everyday products.

As a globally operating company, we not only deliver innovative solutions for our customers, but also create a working environment where you can truly thrive. We invest in your personal and professional development and offer a compensation package that genuinely values your contribution. You won't just find a great workplace here – you'll have the opportunity to shape the future.

Lead, inspire and transform.

Join us in Ravenna, Italy, as Plant Manager & Managing Director of our Carbon Black plant. Drive operational excellence, master manufacturing performance, and lead a team of 60 people with vision and integrity. If you're a data-driven leader with a passion for continuous improvement and real impact—this is your moment.

Curious? Learn more about the position and how you can make a difference with us.

The job that fits your ambitions:

• In this key leadership role, you will assume full responsibility for our carbon black and Energy production site in Ravenna, Italy – legally, operationally, and strategically. As the site’s Managing Director and legal representative, you ensure compliance with national regulations and corporate standards while embodying the company’s values.
  
  
• Leading by example, you manage all critical operational areas – including production, maintenance, quality, logistics, and EHS – with a strong focus on safety, performance, and continuous improvement. You ensure the site runs efficiently, reliably, and sustainably.
  
  
• With a sharp financial mindset, you oversee operational budgets, investment planning, and cost control. Monitoring key performance indicators, you respond quickly to deviations and maintain the economic health of the site.
  
  
• You’ll collaborate closely with engineering and corporate teams to optimize manufacturing processes, reduce variable and fixed costs, and maximize equipment availability, all while maintaining the highest standards in product quality.
  
  
• Ensuring legal and regulatory compliance is second nature to you – from GDPR, SOX, and DOA to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 among others. You also safeguard that all corporate procedures, environmental permits, and documentation are consistently maintained and up to date.
  
  
• As an authentic and engaging leader, you foster a culture of respect, development, and accountability across a team of 60 people. You ensure structured training, clear communication, and a working environment where people can grow and perform at their best.
  
  
• Acting as a visible ambassador for the company, you confidently represent the site to local authorities, community stakeholders, employee representatives, and other external partners – always with integrity and professionalism.

What you bring to the table:

• This role calls for a leader who thrives in complexity, keeps a firm hand on the controls, and leads with both clarity and conviction. With a strong track record of experience in operations—preferably in a production or continuous manufacturing environment—you bring more than just technical expertise. You bring presence. You’ve seen what works, and what doesn't, and you know how to build sustainable performance from the ground up.
  
  
• A degree in Chemical Engineering forms the foundation of your career, ideally complemented by a business qualification such as an MBA. But beyond academics, what sets you apart is your ability to translate strategy into action—decisively, responsibly, and always with the full picture in mind.
  
  
• Fluency in both Italian and English is essential; German is a plus. You move effortlessly across teams, cultures, and disciplines, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks. Whether it’s a technical issue on the shop floor or a financial KPI in the boardroom—you’re already there before anyone needs to ask.
  
  
• You’ve likely held roles such as Operations Manager or Plant Leader, and you understand the rhythm and rigor of 24/7 production. Safety, reliability, efficiency, Operational Excellence —they’re not just checkboxes for you, they’re embedded in how you think and lead. Though the Ravenna site may be lean in size, it plays a key role in shaping Orion’s global success story. That weight of responsibility energizes you, not intimidates you.
  
  
• This is not a remote leadership role. It’s a hands-on, eyes-open, boots-on-the-ground position. We're looking for someone ready to plant roots in the Ravenna region—committed to leading our team not just in the next chapter, but in the ones that follow.

The essentials of your new role:

37.75 hours/week | permanent position | Ravenna (Emilia-Romagna) | 29 days of vacation | from time-to-time international travel | Salary range: €130,000 – €160,000 (according to collective agreement for the chemical industry) | company car (e.g. Audi A4 (reference car))

Why you'll love working at Orion:

Performance-based bonuses | canteen/ meal voucher | occupational health care | in-service insurance | Individual development opportunities | E-learning & language training (Rosetta Stone) 

Questions? We're here for you!

Contact for questions in English:

Christoph Schulz

Christoph.Schulz@orioncarbons.com

Recruitment agencies: Please refrain from contacting us regarding this position.

Position open to candidates of any gender (L. 903/77, L. 125/91)