Job Details

Job Description

The Operations Manager is responsible to lead and provide direction for the safe, reliable, cost-effective operation of the facility. The Operations Manager generates tremendous value to Company through:

• Health, Safety & Environmental and Reliability Leadership
• People Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness
• Business Owner Mindset/Financial Acumen
• Technical Acumen and Continuous Improvement

The formulations and packaging facility produces herbicides. Significant investment is underway to improve the safety and reliability of the facility as well as expanding capacity for future business growth.

The Operations Manager has the overall responsibility and accountability for the Health, Safety and Environment performance, plant assets, personnel, and achievement of plant related business, site and corporate goals. The successful candidate will provide leadership, tactical direction through daily actions, and strategic direction through vision, goal setting, and mentoring.

Principal Tasks and Accountabilities:

• Meets business and functional requirements with respect to Health, Safety & Environment, productivity, cost management, personnel management & development, plant reliability, management systems and continuous improvement.
• Provide leadership to the operations teams, and all other office employees supporting the operations team: Quality Assurance, Scheduling, Inventory, Resource Planning, Logistics/Warehouse, and Maintenance to ensure a safe and efficient manufacture environment. Develop strong partnerships with support functions. Drive continuous improvement and alignment in all aspects of the operation.
• Supports the business in achieving its goals by aligning plant operations with the business strategy.
• Relentlessly pursues maximum plant reliability to reduce unplanned events and support safe operations.
• Knows and champions safety standards. Demonstrates priority and commitment through personal behavior. Keeps a strong field presence and routinely assesses work activities to maintain awareness of plant needs and influence behaviors. Sets the expectation in words and actions.
• Understanding and strong leadership to ensure the highest standards regarding process safety.
• Develops metrics and management systems to drive continuous improvement in health, safety & environmentaland reliability.
• Ensures the Mechanical Integrity program is robust for safe operation. The Operations Manager is responsible for risk management decisions regarding any potential deferrals.
• Ensures timely and effective investigations are conducted with appropriate corrective and preventative actions to prevent recurrence. Leverages lessons to other facilities.
• Escalates issues appropriately to leadership through effective communications. Drive progress to meet the committed compliance date to maintain the facility's license to operate.
• Facilitates personnel development, counselling, motivating, and policy setting to create an environment for employees and work teams that supports a commitment to continuous improvement and empowerment.
• Routinely interfaces with formulations development team and toll manufacturing team in matters related to new formulation introductions and existing formulation production concerns. New product introductions are coordinated and implemented effectively.
• Provides leadership support for empowerment by implementing relevant standard operating work processes and related procedures.
• Ensures common sense implementation and ongoing effectiveness of global work processes/policies, operating discipline, management systems, enabling technologies, and roles to become a Highly Reliable Organization. Challenges inefficiencies and says "no" when needed.
• Operates the facility within the financial guidelines and conduct monthly analysis to ensure costs are following budgetary goals and functional guidelines. Track production variances and work to eliminate them.
• Identify opportunities for product quality improvement (packaging, process efficiency, etc) and drive these initiatives through the leadership of the roles reporting in.
• Plans and directs production activities and establishes production priorities to meet customer demands in a safe and cost-effective manner.
• Participate as a member of the North America Manufacturing Leadership Team and help to drive the strategy and goals for the region.
• Serve as the primary Company contact to local authority and community organizations.
• Reports Director of North America Manufacturing
• Peers with Operations Manager at other locations, Regional Reliability, Maintenance and Engineering Manager
• Other supply chain functional partners such as Planning (materials and production), Quality, Logistics/Warehouse, Procurement and Health, Safety & Environment and Human Resources personnel.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• A minimum of 10 years of chemical manufacturing experience is required. Experiences and understanding of batch processing is a plus.
• A minimum of 5 years of people leadership experience.
• Proven record of Health, Safety & Environmental performance in their current and past area(s) of responsibilities.
• A minimum requirement for this US based position is the ability to work legally and permanently without work sponsorship.

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering is strongly preferred, specifically Chemical or Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience and knowledge in PSM (Process Safety Management) systems and OSHA 29 CFR 1910
• Experience and knowledge in continuous improvement tools and methodologies such as Six Sigma, LEAN, Scrum...etc.
• Experience and knowledge in root cause investigations/analysis tools and methodologies.

Other required skills:

• Proficient in Microsoft Suite and ERP Systems such as Oracle. High level of proficiency with latest office technology.
• Strong analytical skills to define critical issues and develop methodologies for collecting/analyzing relevant data.
• Strong communication, analytical and technical skills, keen interest for problem solving and troubleshooting are essential.
• Listens well and is aware of personal strengths and weaknesses and takes continuous action to improve personal capabilities.
• Ability to prioritize and develop actionable recommendations and implementation plans.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with employees at all levels within the organization.