
Senior Manufacturing Manager
Unilever · Jefferson City, MO
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $119k–$179k
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- 11 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management manufacturing role at Unilever (food & beverage) in Jefferson City, MO.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree preferred
- Tools it names
- EHS / safety
- Base pay
- $119k–$179k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Engineer roles in Missouri: typical posted base $99k–$133k. This one lists $119k–$179k.
Median of the low and high ends of 12 live postings that list pay, out of 31 manufacturing engineer openings in Missouri, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Missouri plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 30 other live manufacturing postings in Missouri.
- Base pay
- About 42% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 5+)
Typical $89k–$121k, from 10 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Lean 55%
- New product launch 45%
- Root cause 42%
- Tooling 35%
- Six Sigma 32%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Unilever
We found 1 person at this company and state: 1 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to William → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Unilever in Jefferson City
3 other open roles at this site · 1 person we found in manufacturing roles at Unilever.
- Manufacturing Supervisor (Nights) - Liquid I.V. · Manufacturing · Supervisor
- Category Packaging Equipment Engineer · Manufacturing
- Automation & Controls Specialist - 2nd shift · Controls · Specialist
Full description from UnileverAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
and site safety programs, including Process Safety Management (PSM), LOTO, risk assessments, and environmental standards.
- ✓Drive world-class quality and manufacturing excellence through standardized work, capability building, and operational discipline.
- ✓Deliver operational reliability, efficiency, productivity, and cost targets through Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS) principles.
Shape the Future of Our Betaines Business
- ✓Partner with global stakeholders across the Betaines network to optimize planning, feedstock procurement, inventory, and distribution strategies.
Required Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree, Engineering or a related STEM discipline preferred.
- ✓7-10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a complex manufacturing, chemical processing, consumer products, food, beverage, pharmaceutical, or similar environment.
- ✓Proven success leading large teams and delivering operational results through others.
- ✓Experience driving safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- ✓Strong business acumen with the ability to analyze performance, solve complex problems, and execute strategic plans.
- ✓Demonstrated ability to influence across functions and lead through periods of transformation and change.
- ✓Exceptional communication, coaching, and team development skills.
- ✓Flexibility to support a 24/7 manufacturing operation as business needs require.
Pay : The pay range for this position is $119,400 to $179,000. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications,
qualifications
and education, and other business and organizational needs.
Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.
Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.
Benefits : Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.
#WC123
- ✓-----------------------------------
At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do . We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.
Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.
If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at NA.Accommodations@unilever.com . Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.
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Job Purpose
At Unilever, our products reach billions of people every day through trusted brands that make everyday life better. We're looking for an exceptional Manufacturing Manager – Processing to help lead one of our most strategic manufacturing operations in North America.
Based in Jefferson City, Missouri—Unilever's largest BW & PC manufacturing facility in North America—this role offers a unique opportunity to lead both our highly automated Personal Care Liquids operation and a groundbreaking new Betaines facility. Reporting directly to the Factory Director, you'll lead a talented team of Manufacturing Business Leads, Supervisors, Area Leads, and frontline manufacturing professionals. You will be accountable for safety, quality, productivity, people development, and operational performance across both Processing and the new Betaines operation.
Key Deliverables
Lead Safe, Reliable & High-Performing Operations
- •Champion an industry-leading safety culture, ensuring compliance with all regulatory
Deliver Business Results
- •Own key performance metrics including productivity, asset utilization, operational waste, batch cycle performance, quality, cost, and service.
- •Lead continuous improvement initiatives and focused improvement projects that unlock efficiency and growth.
- •Partner closely with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Procurement, and Planning teams to achieve factory and business objectives.
Leadership
- •Develop, coach, and inspire leaders and frontline teams to achieve their full potential.
- •Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning.
- •Strengthen organizational capability through effective hiring, talent development, succession planning, and performance management.
