Job Information
Eastman Director - Maintenance Department Head in Kingsport, Tennessee
Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive company, Eastman employs approximately 14,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2024 revenue of approximately $9.4 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.
Responsibilities
In this role, you’ll lead a team of 2nd-level supervisors and professionals who are committed to safely and reliably supporting the assets that help produce materials that improve the quality of life in a material way. You will leverage your engineering experience and skills to lead our highly-talented maintenance teams. You will use your advanced leadership abilities to drive safety, productivity and exceptional quality in one or more of Eastman’s production facilities. Through collaboration with cross-functional teams, you will prioritize team workload and drive continuous improvement. You will manage the interface between departments and boundary organizations including, but not limited to, operations, maintenance, business organizations, administrative areas and support services.
As a leader, you will coach your team members in leadership and behavioral competencies to deliver high impact results. You will be required to lead intentionally and continually build and improve organizational health to maximize employee engagement. You’ll serve as a member of the Eastman Management team and be an active member of the Centralized Maintenance and Services (CM&S) Division Leadership team and respective Operations Division Leadership Team.
Key Responsibilities
Champion personal and process safety awareness and performance
Champion site-wide and department improvement efforts to reduce cost and increase production
Exhibit high bias for action and drive for execution
Champion change
Establish priorities and objectives (with input from boundary organizations); communicate results to stakeholders
Coach employee development and performance, including developing supervisors
Ensure work execution processes and practices are robust and enable high performance
Responsible for the culture and organizational health of respective organization
Develop, manage and responsible for departmental budget
Lead productivity improvement projects
Champion strategy development and accountability for departmental goals
Drive culture of continuous improvement
Perform resource management in a dynamic environment
Qualifications
Understanding of safe work practices; excellent safety history
Bachelor's or advanced degree in Engineering or other technical degree required
Must have 7+ years’ experience in maintenance and/or engineering in chemical/petrochemical manufacturing, ideally with 2 or more years leading 2nd level supervisors or above
Supervisory skills, including safety awareness of staff, budget control, scheduling, and staff development
Leadership skills, including setting goals, priorities and performance evaluations
General understanding of Engineering Standards and Specifications
Knowledge of maintenance work practices like planning and scheduling, rigging, pipe fitting, welding, alignments, lubrication and work order handling
Capital project experience including generation of scope and estimate; design of items like plant layout and piping; equipment design and procurement; and construction
Strong technical and problem-solving skill for mechanical design, failure analysis and maintenance best practices
Good communication skills at all levels of the organization
Good motivational skills: ability to influence and manage change; ability to work well with Operations in a team environment
Ability to manage multiple projects with varied priorities and drive them to closure
Functional use of the corporate computer systems
Preferred Qualifications
Competency in driving safety performance improvement and improved safety culture across areas/teams
Financial acumen
Familiarity with mechanical integrity program management
Proficiency in using SAP
Advanced manufacturing knowledge
Proven track record of raising standards each year to drive organizational excellence
History of improving team performance and work practice through team coaching
Direct supervisory experience in a chemical/petrochemical manufacturing environment
Demonstrated leadership abilities, including experience leading individuals and teams indirectly
Situational expertise with administering coaching in all directions
Depth of knowledge in maintenance and manufacturing work processes
Experience facilitating and resolving complex human resources issues
Familiarity with change management concepts
Ownership and successful completion of complex and/or large-scale projects
Eastman Chemical Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected classes as designated by law.
Eastman is committed to creating a powerfully diverse workforce and a broadly inclusive workplace, where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential each day.