Operations Manager

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, or a related field required. 
• Advanced degree preferred.

Experience:

• 8–15 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Minimum of 5 years managing operations within a chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper, industrial processing, or similar manufacturing environment.
• Experience with Process Safety Management (PSM) programs strongly preferred.

Skills:

• Strong understanding of chemical manufacturing processes and industrial plant operations.
• Knowledge of OSHA, EPA, environmental regulations, and process safety requirements.
• Demonstrated leadership and team development capabilities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience utilizing ERP systems and production management software.
• Strong financial and business acumen.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships across all levels of the organization.

Operations Leadership

• Lead and direct all plant manufacturing operations to achieve production, safety, quality, and cost objectives.
• Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with facility and corporate goals.
• Ensure reliable and efficient operation of production units and support systems.
• Monitor plant performance and implement corrective actions to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs).

Production Management

• Oversee daily production activities and ensure adherence to established schedules.
• Maximize equipment utilization and operational efficiency.
• Manage production resources, staffing levels, and operational priorities.
• Identify and eliminate bottlenecks impacting production output.

Safety and Regulatory Compliance

• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, DEQ, PSM, RMP, and company standards.
• Ensure all operations are conducted in accordance with applicable environmental permits and regulations.
• Lead incident investigations and corrective action implementation.
• Support emergency response planning and operational readiness initiatives.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement programs focused on safety, throughput, cost reduction, quality, and reliability.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, or similar methodologies.
• Analyze production data to identify trends and opportunities for process optimization.
• Support technology improvements and process modernization initiatives.

Leadership and Employee Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and performance management for engineers, supervisors and operational personnel.
• Establish clear expectations and accountability throughout the organization.
• Foster a culture of employee engagement, teamwork, and continuous learning.
• Support workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development efforts.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, EHS, and Human Resources to achieve business objectives.
• Support capital projects, plant expansions, and major maintenance shutdowns.
• Participate in strategic planning and budget development activities.

Financial Management

• Manage operational budgets and control manufacturing costs.
• Monitor labor, utility, raw material, and maintenance expenditures.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability while maintaining safety and quality standards.
• Prepare operational reports and present performance metrics to leadership.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervises Production/Shipping Supervisors, Engineers, and other operations personnel as assigned.
• Responsible for employee performance management, disciplinary actions, hiring recommendations, and professional development.
• Ensures compliance with company policies and collective bargaining agreements