Operations Manager Job

Arkema has established itself as France’s leading chemical producer and a world leader in specialty chemicals and advanced materials. With annual sales of €8.8 billion and 20,000 people employed in some 55 countries, the Group pursues ambitious recruitment objectives both in France and around the world. Arkema offers diverse employment opportunities in 200 job functions and professions in four major fields: industrial, R&D, business, and support functions.

Reaching far beyond your discoveries!

Regarded as one of the world’s leading innovators, Arkema has made research one of the pillars of its strategy. For example by discovering new solutions to help reduce the weight of materials, hence cut down consumption. By developing innovative thermal insulation systems that can optimize the energy performance of buildings. Or by seeking new applications for its biosourced products at the service of greater sustainable development.

Innovative and durable solutions

Our high performance products have applications in wide-ranging areas, from new generation car batteries or telephones to recyclable wind turbine blades, from adhesives for the protective backsheets of solar panels to drinking water filtration systems, from running shoes and acrylic resins with no solvent and no volatile organic compound for 3D printing to molecular sieves for portable oxygen devices used by people suffering from respiratory failure… Joining Arkema means being part of a Group enjoying sustained growth that in little more than a decade has built up an exemplary achievement record, setting high ambitions for itself and for its employees. All our job opportunities are open to people with disabilities at equal merit or with equal skill levels.

Division:  Oxygenes & Derivatives                                                                               March 22, 2023

Location: Memphis

Title: Operations Manager

Situation in organization

This position reports directly to the Plant Manager, manages the day-to-day operations of the Memphis facility while supporting the Plant Manager in strategic decisions. The position oversees a Production Supervisor, Production Engineer, Logistics Supervisor, Production Planner/Scheduler, and hourly operations workforce, including shift operators, tank farm and warehouse operators. 

Job dimensions

Responsible for plant performance in the areas of safety, quality, productivity, reliability and material resource planning for the production department of a hydrogen peroxide manufacturing facility

Key Activities and responsibilities

Operations (50%):

• Coordinates and directs all customer fulfillment activities. 
• Continuously drives improvements to the plant’s training, operations, and MRP processes.
• This position is responsible for the safe, efficient operation of all Production Units.
• Responsible for RPE costs generated by the Production Units and maintains compliance with department operating budget
• Ensures optimal production and process improvements for Memphis processes: H2, H2O2, Utilities, and Tank Farm.
• Responsible for operating the plant in a safe and environmentally responsible manner that complies with 100% all applicable regulatory requirements.
• Responsible for managing plant budget related to production and maintenance. Responsible to ensure that production is at the lowest possible cost by monitoring raw material, waste generation and utilities usages. Proposes and ensures implementation of improvements to minimize the production costs.
• Involvement in shutdown planning and execution.
• Participate in advanced troubleshooting, conduct appropriate root-cause analysis, and ensure corrective actions are implemented to address unplanned events as defined in department trigger criteria.
• Understands all facets off the plant process control system and provide feedback to process automation group for improvements and optimization
• High profile / key position within the plant which works closely with every department, sales and marketing, customers, and the community.  Has direct daily involvement with most of the activities in the facility.
• Leads/ coordinates plant continuous improvement efforts; delegating projects and tasks to appropriate team members.

Management (50%):

• Professionally manages direct reports; provides performance development/feedback through Success Factors.
• Assure consistency among shifts and monitor production metrics.
• Maintains good labor relations in a union environment; contract negotiation team member.
• Ensures effective communication and engagement with all plant personnel.
• Manage operations training and qualification protocol; Serves on Plant Skills Criteria Team.
• Ensures up-to-date operating procedures; validates procedures and leads refresher training efforts in a timely manner.
• Lead the Management of Change process to ensure PSM requirements are met
• Assures adequate investigation of all incidents within department; closes action items by target due dates.
• Works with the plant operators, engineers, mechanics, and managers to enhance operations at the Memphis Plant.
• This position is expected to increase proficiency of operators at all levels.
• Responsible for being a site leader, both by example and through training, in the area of process safety.
• Responsible for the development of operations personnel
• Production department champion for Impact (tracking system)
• Key plant manager delegate integral part of the plant strategic decision and execution
• Key plant representative for the S&OP process

Context and environment

• Drives behavior based safety culture by supporting BBS process. Performs observations and encourages all direct reports to participate in BBS.
• Supports the site HES policy and complies with all regulatory and internal requirements
• Participates in HES activities provided by site management and Arkema Inc. (e.g., Behavioral Base Safety, SafeStart, etc.)
• Supports and promotes the reporting of all health, safety, environmental, near-miss, accident or injury incidents
• Must comply with all external regulatory requirements, industry best practices and internal policies.
• Works as a liaison with technical support team to ensure process operations receive required technical support
• Supports all compliance efforts for API products to meet regulatory and certification requirements

Required Education/Qualifications /Work experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering preferred
• Minimum 10 years of experience in industrial related field, preferably chemical manufacturing environment.
• Previous experience managing in a union environment preferred;
• PSM experience strongly preferred.
• Proficient with ISO, QS, MI procedures

Demonstrated Competencies

• Must be able to multi-task and efficiently operate in a stressful work environment.
• Must have strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
• High level of detail and accuracy required.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other PC applications.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills.
• Facilitation skills
• Exposure to SAP, sales & operations planning processes.

A designer of materials and innovative solutions, Arkema shapes materials and creates new uses that accelerate customer performance. Our balanced business portfolio spans high-performance materials, industrial specialties and coating solutions. Our globally recognized brands are ranked among the leaders in the markets we serve. Reporting annual sales of €8.8 billion ($10.4 billion USD) in 2018, we employ approximately 20,000 people worldwide and operate in close to 55 countries. We are committed to active engagement with all our stakeholders. Our research centers in North America, France and Asia concentrate on advances in bio-based products, new energies, water management, electronic solutions, lightweight materials and design, home efficiency and insulation.

Arkema Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Arkema Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence.