Full-Time

Unit Manager

PQ

PQ

1,001-5,000 employees

Produces inorganic performance chemicals and silicates

Compensation Overview

$110k - $135k/yr

Joliet, IL, USA

In Person

Bachelor's

Category
Manufacturing & Production Operations (1)
Required Skills
Microsoft Office
Six Sigma
ISO 9001
SAP Products

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Requirements
  • A minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in an appropriate technical discipline.
  • A minimum of five years of experience in the chemical industry in a manufacturing environment, preferably in a union environment.
  • Three years of supervisory or management experience with increasing responsibility.
  • Knowledge of Continuous Quality Improvement techniques and methods, such as Statistical Process Control and Six Sigma.
  • Working knowledge of Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations and safety principles.
  • Working knowledge of management systems, such as ISO 9001 and Responsible Care 14001.
  • Working knowledge of environmental regulations and compliance.
  • Computer skills, including Microsoft Office and SAP.
Responsibilities
  • Inform the Site Manager of all successes, issues, problems, or concerns involving the Gels Department.
  • Ensure that the Gel plant and surrounding areas operate within all federal, state, local, and company Environmental, Health and Safety requirements, policies, and procedures.
  • Develop and administer the yearly plant budget.
  • Direct operators to ensure product quality and quantity at optimum utilization of personnel and facilities.
  • Provide technical assistance and instructions to correct off-standard and emergency conditions, and serve as incident commander when the Site Manager is not present.
  • Provide direction to operators in the safe operation and control of equipment associated with Xerogel, Hydrogel, and the warehouse.
  • Participate in product planning and scheduling for all Gel assets, including multiple stock-keeping units.
  • Monitor and control unit performance, report deviations from plans and budget, and take corrective action.
  • Encourage and implement participative management strategies to ensure commitment to the business among plant personnel.
  • Encourage and implement a teamwork environment.
  • Participate in and develop yearly goals with union employees and management.
  • Ensure work areas are maintained in a clean and safe condition.
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, local, and corporate or plant regulations, requirements, policies, and procedures.
  • Manage operations to ensure good environmental practices and stewardship.
  • Actively participate in the plant safety committee.
  • Encourage commitment to Continuous Quality Improvement principles and Responsible Care, using techniques and methods to move safety, quality, and production to or above plant goals.
  • Demonstrate health, safety, and environmental leadership and commitment to Responsible Care.
  • Work with the Maintenance Manager to direct maintenance efforts.
  • Serve as the management representative for ISO 9001 and food, safety, or environmental certifications.
  • Lead and participate in Environmental, Health and Safety, quality, and productivity initiatives.
  • Encourage and support employee development.
  • Perform special projects or other duties as directed.
  • Communicate, promote, and personally demonstrate safety and health as the number-one priority.
  • Participate in risk-assessment audits as applicable.
  • Understand PQ Principles and how they are implemented in the site organization, rules, and procedures.
  • Complete job-specific Health, Safety, and Environmental training requirements in a timely manner.
Desired Qualifications
  • A Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering; an advanced degree is a plus.

PQ Corporation makes inorganic performance chemicals, focusing on silicates and related materials. Its products include sodium silicate (waterglass), silica gels, and other specialty silicates used in a wide range of industries. These chemicals are used as binders and additives to strengthen concrete and tires, clarify beverages, guide detergents, and support various manufacturing processes. The company earns its edge from a long history and a broad, globally distributed portfolio of silicate-based products, built through decades of evolution and strategic acquisitions. PQ’s goal is to be a leading global supplier of silicates and related inorganic chemicals, serving customers across construction, manufacturing, and consumer-beverage sectors.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Malvern, Iowa

Founded

1831

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • PQ signed BASF's Düsseldorf silicates acquisition on May 20, 2026, adding capacity.
  • PQ completed Sibelco's Swedish specialty silicate acquisition on January 13, 2025.
  • ACC named PQ Responsible Care Member Company of the Year on April 26, 2026.

What critics are saying

  • BASF's deal still needs regulatory approvals, and closing slips beyond H2 2026.
  • PQ depends on cyclical industrial demand in tires, coatings, and cleaning, crushing volumes during downturns.
  • Repeated integration failures would leave PQ overlevered to commodity silicates and erode equity.

What makes PQ unique

  • PQ owns deep silicates know-how since 1861, spanning sodium silicate, silica, and derivatives.
  • Its 31-facility global network serves 900-plus customers across cleaning, tires, coatings, food.
  • Cerberus and Koch kept PQ private in 2021, backing long-horizon industrial expansion.

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Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-8%

1 year growth

-8%

2 year growth

-8%
Galveston Newspapers Inc.
Feb 5th, 2026
PQ Honored as Supplier of the Year by Nouryon - Reinforcing Commitment to Customer Focus and Partnership Excellence

PQ honored as supplier of the Year by Nouryon - reinforcing commitment to customer Focus and partnership excellence. * Business Wire * Feb 5, 2026 MALVERN, Pa.-(BUSINESS WIRE)-Feb 5, 2026- PQ is honored to be recognized by Nouryon as a 2025Supplier of the Year, and we are grateful for the strong, collaborative relationship between our two organizations. Photo of PQ accepting the award from left to right; Ali Anwar, Ali Zaman, Divya Kottayil, Al Beninati, Larry Ryan and Adam Bennett. This recognition reflects the close partnership and day-to-day collaboration across our businesses - from operations and supply chain to technical and business teams - working together to respond quickly and effectively to challenges. That shared commitment helps keep Nouryon's operations running reliably and ensures continuity of supply for their customers. Customer Focus is a core value at PQ, and this award reinforces the importance of listening, responding, and acting with urgency to support our partners' success. We sincerely thank the many Nouryon employees who work closely with PQ teams around the world to make this partnership strong. We look forward to continuing to build on this relationship and deliver value together in the years ahead. With headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania PQ is a leading global provider of silicates, silicas and derivative products. PQ's products are found in a wide variety of industries and many aspects of everyday life, from decorative paints to green cement, from clean drinking water to green tires and from toothpaste to aiding in the production of biofuels and beer. Supported by 1,400 employees across 13 countries, PQ serves more than 900 customers around the world. Through its global network of 30 facilities, PQ provides best-in-class product offerings that support a broad range of end uses including silica and chemical manufacturing; paints and coatings; purification, construction and drilling; and personal care, nutrition, and food and beverage. Vice President, Marketing KEYWORD: PENNSYLVANIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MANUFACTURING OTHER MANUFACTURING ENERGY OTHER ENERGY CHEMICALS/PLASTICS PUB: 02/05/2026 05:20 PM/DISC: 02/05/2026 05:20 PM

The Herald Bulletin
Dec 26th, 2023
Herald Bulletin

Larry retired from PQ Corporation in Anderson as a boiler operator for many years but had also worked at Anderson burial vault for 10 years and was a truck driver.

Personal Care Magazine
Jul 17th, 2023
PQ Corp to expand silica production in Indonesia

US speciality chemicals producer PQ Corp has unveiled plans to expand silica production at its existing facility in Pasuruan, Indonesia.