Manager EXO Supply Industrial Chemistry

Function: Supply Chain

Location:

HE, DE

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Work Arrangement: Hybrid

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Manager EXO Supply Industrial Chemistry

Location: Darmstadt, Germany or Warsaw, Poland (with regular travel to Third-Party Manufacturing sites across Europe and APAC)

Function: Supply Chain – External Operations (EXO)

Reports to: Director EXO Europe & Asia Pacific

Employment Type: Full-time | Permanent

About Wella Company

At Wella Company, we enable individuals to look, feel, and be their true selves.

We're one of the world's leading beauty companies, home to iconic brands including Wella Professionals, Clairol, OPI, Nioxin, and ghd. With more than 6,000 employees across over 100 countries, we combine innovation, science, and creativity to delight consumers, inspire beauty professionals, and drive sustainable growth.

If you're passionate about industrial chemistry, manufacturing excellence, and making a tangible impact across a global supply network, we'd love to hear from you.

The Opportunity

As Manager EXO Supply Industrial Chemistry, you will play a pivotal technical role within our External Operations organization. Acting as the key technical partner for our Third-Party Manufacturers (TPMs), you'll connect Manufacturing, R&D, Procurement, Quality, and Regulatory teams to ensure robust manufacturing processes, successful product launches, business continuity, and continuous cost optimization.

This is an exciting opportunity for an industrial chemist who enjoys solving complex manufacturing challenges, leading cross-functional projects, and working in an international environment.

What You'll Do

Drive Technical Excellence

Serve as the primary technical contact for Third-Party Manufacturers on raw materials, bulk manufacturing, and process performance.

Collaborate closely with R&D, Regulatory, Procurement, and Quality to ensure manufacturing aligns with approved technical standards.

Support technical problem solving, process improvements, and material strategy implementation.

Lead Cost Optimization Projects

Deliver raw material and process cost-saving initiatives while maintaining product quality and compliance.

Evaluate raw material substitutions, process improvements, MOQ optimization, and equipment enhancements.

Coordinate technical feasibility assessments and provide manufacturing expertise during supplier selection activities.

Execute Manufacturing Projects

Plan and lead engineering runs, process qualifications, validation activities, and production readiness.

Coordinate technical activities across TPMs, ensuring projects progress through key milestones on time.

Maintain strong project governance while proactively managing technical risks and escalations.

Strengthen Supply Continuity

Lead raw material qualification and manufacturing transfer activities to secure supply and improve network resilience.

Support qualification of new equipment and manufacturing capabilities across strategic external manufacturing partners.

Support Strategic Transformation

Represent Industrial Chemistry within major global supply chain and digital transformation programs.

Contribute to initiatives focused on SAP master data, Bill of Materials, portfolio simplification, and end-to-end supply chain optimization.

Maintain Technical Data Excellence

Ensure accurate technical master data and qualification records.

Maintain visibility of technical risks, qualification status, and portfolio readiness across the external manufacturing network.

Develop Capability & Promote Safety

Coach manufacturing partners and internal stakeholders on technical processes and best practices.

Promote safe chemical handling and ensure compliance with all company safety standards during manufacturing activities.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or another relevant scientific discipline (or an equivalent technical qualification with significant industry experience).

At least 3 years of experience in industrial manufacturing, process chemistry, or chemical production within Beauty, FMCG, Pharmaceutical, Food, Paint, or a related industry.

Experience supporting manufacturing qualification, process validation, or technology transfer activities.

Demonstrated project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Working knowledge of SAP (ECC and/or RD/EPD), Microsoft Excel, and project management tools.

Strong communication skills with the ability to build relationships across Manufacturing, R&D, Procurement, Quality, and external partners.

Professional proficiency in English.

Willingness to travel regularly across Europe and Asia Pacific.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.

Experience within Professional Beauty, Hair Care, Hair Color, or Nail Care manufacturing.

Lean, Six Sigma Green Belt, PMP, or equivalent continuous improvement or project management certification.

Experience using AI-enabled productivity tools, workflow automation (such as Power Automate), Power BI, SQL, or Databricks.

What Success Looks Like

In this role, you'll:

Deliver impactful cost-saving initiatives.

Ensure manufacturing projects are completed on time and to the highest technical standards.

Strengthen business continuity through successful qualification and transfer activities.

Build strong partnerships with global manufacturing sites and cross-functional teams.

Drive continuous improvement across our external manufacturing network.

Why Join Wella Company?

This is an opportunity to influence manufacturing excellence across a global network while working with some of the world's most recognized beauty brands. You'll collaborate with talented experts across Supply Chain, R&D, Quality, Procurement, and Manufacturing, helping bring innovative products to consumers around the world.

At Wella Company, we value curiosity, ownership, collaboration, and continuous learning. We believe diverse perspectives make us stronger and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

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