External Manufacturing Manager

At Dow, we believe in putting people first and we’re passionate about delivering integrity, respect and safety to our customers, our employees and the planet.  

Our people are at the heart of our solutions. They reflect the communities we live in and the world where we do business. Their diversity is our strength. We’re a community of relentless problem solvers that offers the daily opportunity to contribute with your perspective, transform industries and shape the future. Our purpose is simple - to deliver a sustainable future for the world through science and collaboration. If you’re looking for a challenge and meaningful role, you’re in the right place. 

Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 30 countries and employ approximately 36,000 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $43 billion in 2024. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. ​​​​Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.

Job Profile:

The External Manufacturing (EM) Manager (EH&S Auditor, Project Manager and Operations Manager) has the responsibility to lead diverse, cross-functional teams to support Business success and growth in Japan for all Dow Businesses in the region. This position can be Virtual or at any Dow location within Japan.

In Dow, EM is the utilization of third-party manufacturing suppliers to support Dow Business needs in toll, contract, and private label manufacturing.  Dow partners with 250+ EM suppliers globally with ~35 in this regional area.  These EM partnerships broadly range in technology and risk profiles.

The EM EH&S Auditor is responsible for leading independent EH&S audits at new and existing EM facilities.  This role collaborates with all Dow Businesses in evaluating performance and identifying and understanding EH&S risks when producing products on Dow’s behalf.

The EM Project Manager is the key role for leading an EM specific project work process ranging from feasibility study and supplier selection through production trials, quality validation, contractual agreement, and startup to ensure safe and reliable production of products using Dow Intellectual Property.

The EM Operations Manager serves as the primary point of contact with the supplier and is responsible for managing the on-going performance of operational activities, including engaging Dow Business and Functional resources as needed to resolve supplier related matters.  

This role is expected to have a strong acumen and proven successes in EH&S, operations, and manufacturing.

Responsibilities/Duties:

EM EH&S Auditor

• Coordinate, lead, and conduct on-site audits to evaluate conformance with Dow contractual requirements and assess performance and potential risk associated with Dow EM Fundamental EH&S Expectations, EH&S, Process Safety, ES&S, Management Systems, etc.
• Review and interpret national/local regulations and standards to determine applicability and evaluate compliance/risk.
• Coordinate, facilitate, and lead pre-audit reviews with Business stakeholders to prioritize key focus areas for the audit (regulatory, Dow specific/contractual, etc.).
• Evaluate audit results, compile value-added list of audit non-conformities and recommendations for improvement, and develop post-audit reports.
• Coordinate, facilitate, and lead post-audit reviews with Business stakeholders to outline potential risks identified during the audit and establish a corrective and preventive action plan to mitigate the gaps and risks.
• Work closely with Dow Businesses and the EM EH&S Leader to help prioritize audits.
• Consult/support Businesses in resolving non-conformities at EM partners and assist in validation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Collaborate and coordinate with various roles within EM (Operations Managers, Project Managers, Sourcing Managers, Business External Manufacturing Leaders, etc.) and subject matter experts (SMEs) in various functions (EH&S, Process Safety, Quality, etc.).
• Maintain skill sets to perform successful and collaborative on-site audits.

EM Project Manager

• Lead project work process execution and ensure implementation of key deliverables for a vast, multi-project portfolio of EM opportunities that have been prioritized and approved by the Business EM Leaders (BEML).
• Lead cross-functional project Teams with representation and involvement from various Businesses and Functions (e.g., Technology Center, R&D/TS&D, Supply Chain, Quality, EH&S, Product Stewardship, Purchasing, Commercial, etc.).
• Lead the screening and selection of EM suppliers to maximize the benefits of utilizing an external manufacturer while minimizing both Dow Corporate and Business risks in terms of EH&S, quality, compliance, capability, strategic fit, etc.
• Facilitate the transfer of technology and ensure that Dow Intellectual Property is fully protected and uncompromised.
• Coordinate internal and external resources for trial production and product qualifications. 
• Collaborate with the EM EH&S to complete the assessment process for potential new suppliers and drive timely corrective/preventive action plans to ensure supplier EH&S gaps are closed in alignment with Dow expectations.
• Participate in pre-assessment reviews with EM EH&S and other stakeholders to prioritize key focus areas for the audit (regulatory, Dow specific/contractual, etc.).
• Participate in post-assessment reviews with EM EH&S and other stakeholders to review potential risks identified during the audit and the proposed corrective and preventive action plan to mitigate the gaps and risks.
• Support the EM Sourcing/Purchasing Manager in the negotiations of Contract Manufacturing Agreements (CMAs).
• Maintain effective communication with key stakeholders on project status, progress, and priorities.
• Complete project closure and transition of final ownership to an EM Operations Manager.
• Provide support as a subject matter expert (SME) for EM project work process and tools. 
• Drive ongoing improvements to the EM project work process and deliverables to meet desired objectives.
• Function as a mentor and resource for colleagues with less experience.

EM Operations Manager

• Ensure the supplier has full understanding of Dow performance expectations (e.g., EH&S, product quality, service, cost) and actively manage the supplier relationship to meet the expectations.
• Drive the metric development and reporting process to monitor performance and establish continuous improvement objectives.

• Lead the process to investigate and resolve supplier manufacturing issues to minimize the impact to Dow with representation and involvement from various Businesses and Functions (e.g., Technology Center, R&D/TS&D, Supply Chain, Quality, EH&S, Product Stewardship, Purchasing, Commercial, etc.) as needed.
• Own and maintain current the technical documents as outlined in the EM work process (e.g., Operations Plan, Technical Package, Supply Agreement, Process Risk Screening Tool).
• Own and maintain current the supplier related information and data as outlined in the EM work process (e.g., EM Database).
• Act as the focal point for Management of Change (MOC) to ensure that change initiated by Dow or the supplier is effectively implemented, documented, and communicated per Dow expectations.
• Act as the focal point for supplier incident notification and collaborate with EM EH&S and other resources as needed to ensure adequate incident investigation is conducted by the supplier and actions are tracked to completion.
• Facilitate scheduling of EM EH&S audits with the supplier in partnership with the BEML and EM EH&S.
• Participate in pre-audit reviews with EM EH&S and other stakeholders to prioritize key focus areas for the audit (regulatory, Dow specific/contractual, etc.).
• Participate in post-audit reviews with EM EH&S and other stakeholders to review potential risks identified during the audit and the proposed corrective and preventive action plan to mitigate the gaps and risks.
• Drive timely development of corrective/preventive action plans to ensure supplier EH&S gaps and other non-conformities are closed, documented, and validated in alignment with Dow expectations, with representation and involvement from the BEML, EM EH&S, and other resources as needed.
• Assume ownership of new EM activities by participating in the development of the Operation Plan, supporting the startup activity, and working closely with the EM Project Team to facilitate a seamless transition through the use of the Return to Operation (RTO) checklist.
• Develop, document, and execute plans for supplier activity termination to ensure that Dow owned materials, assets, and other Intellectual Property are removed and supplier issues are resolved.
• Maintain effective communication with the EM Director, BEML, and other key stakeholders as needed on activity status and potential impacts to Dow.

About You:

• You are a Team player that requires minimal supervision.
• You are highly motivated and a self-starter.
• You are committed to ensuring that you and others work safely and comply with applicable regulations and standards.
• You demonstrate a commitment to maintaining ethical integrity in both successes and setbacks.
• You enjoy working with remote Teams and are able to objectively prioritize and achieve results.
• You are organized and can multi-task to successfully manage multiple on-going projects, operational issues, audits and initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a science or engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 10+ years of experience, with 7+ in a Manufacturing & Engineering role(s).
• Experience in project management or leadership.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in the Japanese and English languages.

Willing and Able to Meet the Demands of the Job:

• Must be willing and able to meet all applicable requirements related to Dow business travel (e.g., as to immigration and visa rules, public-health mandates, airline rules) into and out of (and physical presence in) various countries globally.
• Travel throughout Japan to visit and walk through third-party non-Dow manufacturing facilities.  This includes the ability to follow and utilize all PPE requirements set by Dow and the EM supplier for such visits.
• This role is expected to travel ~15-20% of the time.
• Flexibility in working hours to meet with stakeholders and peers globally.

Your Preferred Qualifications Include:

• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in direct support of operations at a manufacturing site.
• Experience in leading Dow projects through a structured work process.  Previous experience in Business Improvement and/or TES is a plus.
• Auditing experience within and/or outside of Dow.
• Experience in an EH&S role (preferably Process Safety, Environmental, and/or Industrial Hygiene) is a plus. 
• General knowledge and awareness of Japan regulations, guidelines, and management systems.
• Non-Dow manufacturing experience.
• Influential Leadership experience.

Your Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities Include:

• Proficiency in Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Competencies in the areas of Leadership, Initiative, Teamwork, and Interpersonal Effectiveness.
• A strong work ethic with the ability to remain productive in an empowered, cross-functional remote team environment.
• Effectively leading the successful implementation of initiatives with remote teams.
• A strong focus on data-based decision making, objective prioritization setting, and the motivation to achieve consistent and effective results.
• The ability to combine technical aptitude and knowledge with practical application.
• The ability to communicate confidently and professionally in a vast range of environments, both internally and externally. 

Additional Notes:

• The ability to work legally in Japan is required.  No visa sponsorship/support is available for this position, including any type of permanent residency process.
• We do not offer relocation assistance for this position.

Benefits – What Dow offers you 

We invest in you. 
 

Dow invests in total rewards programs to help you manage all aspects of you: your pay, your health, your life, your future, and your career. You bring your background, talent, and perspective to work every day. Dow rewards that commitment by investing in your total wellbeing.  

Here are just a few highlights of what you would be offered as a Dow employee: 

• Equitable and market-competitive base pay and bonus opportunity across our global markets, along with locally relevant incentives. 
• Benefits and programs to support your physical, mental, financial, and social well-being, to help you get the care you need...when you need it. 
• Competitive retirement program that may include company-provided benefits, savings opportunities, financial planning, and educational resources to help you achieve your long term financial-goals. 
  • Employee stock purchase programs (availability varies depending on location).
• Student Debt Retirement Savings Match Program (U.S. only).
  • Dow will take the value of monthly student debt payments and apply them as if they are contributions to the Employees’ Savings Plan (401(k)), helping employees reach the Company match.
• Robust medical and life insurance packages that offer a variety of coverage options to meet your individual needs. Travel insurance is also available in certain countries/locations.
• Opportunities to learn and grow through training and mentoring, work experiences, community involvement and team building. 
• Workplace culture empowering role-based flexibility to maximize personal productivity and balance personal needs. 
• Competitive yearly vacation allowance.
• Paid time off for new parents (birthing and non-birthing, including adoptive and foster parents).  
• Paid time off to care for family members who are sick or injured.  
• Paid time off to support volunteering and Employee Resource Group’s (ERG) participation. 
• Wellbeing Portal for all Dow employees, our one-stop shop to promote wellbeing, empowering employees to take ownership of their entire wellbeing journey.
• On-site fitness facilities to help stay healthy and active (availability varies depending on location).
• Employee discounts for online shopping, cinema tickets, gym memberships and more.
• Additionally, some of our locations might offer:
  • Transportation allowance (availability varies depending on location)
  • Meal subsidiaries/vouchers (availability varies depending on location)
  • Carbon-neutral transportation incentives e.g. bike to work (availability varies depending on location)

Join our team, we can make a difference together.

About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Our global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enable us to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. We operate manufacturing sites in 30 countries and employ approximately 36,000 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $43 billion in 2024. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. ​​​​Learn more about us and our ambition to be the most innovative, customer-centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company in the world by visiting www.dow.com.

As part of our dedication to inclusion, Dow is committed to equal opportunities in employment. We encourage every employee to bring their whole self to work each day to not only deliver more value, but also have a more fulfilling career. Further information regarding Dow's equal opportunities is available on www.dow.com.