Operations Manager (Salary Range $115K - $145K) Job

Salary Range: $115,000 - $145,000 based on experience/qualifications 

Job Summary 

Position reports directly to Torrance Plant Manager, managing a team of between 20 and 30 employees including a Run Plant Engineer and all hourly operations employees as direct reports. Influences and collaborates with the site management team including production, logistics, quality, engineering, maintenance and HES.

The Operations Manager is responsible for the safe, reliable and efficient operation of the Torrance Plant in order to achieve our business objectives. Provides leadership and coaching to plant personnel; ensures the plant meets inventory requirements; operates within budget based upon forecasted plant volume demand; meets customer expectations through continual improvement in product and process quality & helps develop personnel to meet/exceed expectations and prepare for career advancement.

The Operations Manager has shared responsibility and accountability for the plant assets, personnel, and achievement of the plant related business goals. The role delivers plant based business and administrative leadership to an empowered, work process driven, plant organization.

The operations Manager is the focal point for determining the required production and volume targets based on sales forecast, equipment limitations, inventory space, required maintenance, inspection activities and operating budget. The person must appropriately identify and attain production goals to meet customer’s needs in accordance with all Safety and Environmental requirements. Additionally, needs to ensure that adequate technical support is available and that improvements are made to existing processes. He/she ensures that proposed improvements meet all safety and environment requirements.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities with % Breakdown:

Production – 30%

• Coordinates resources to meet short- and long-term production forecast through participation with Business Team, ensuring goals and commitments are met safely and within budget.
• Prepare, monitor and control monthly budget for operations items (supplies, overtime, etc).
• Participate in monthly and weekly meetings with Supply Chain and Sales to determine plant production requirements as well as the impact of any changes in the 12-month forecast.
• Coordinate Production with planned and unplanned maintenance activities and production turnarounds.
• Monitor daily production, shipping activities, product quality and direct adjustments to production and shipping plans as appropriate. Ensure continuous evaluation and implementation of improvements.
• Prepare weekly and monthly reports to meet plant and Business requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement in our processes, including managing projects to meet operational excellence goals.
• Drive investigations and corrective actions for all quality problems and altering finished goods.
• Leads OAU/OEE tracking and improvement efforts.
• Ensures implementation and ongoing effectiveness of work processes, Operating Discipline, management systems, enabling technologies and roles.

Department Staff Management – 30%

• Direct and lead the members of the Production, Shipping and Receiving groups to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the plant and meet customer deliveries.
• Serve as a coach and mentor to the department personnel, counsel on performance as appropriate.
• Participates in strategic goal setting for the plant.
• Motivate workforce through visibility and direct contact to ensure maximum safety and productivity.
• Identify skills development and training needs to maintain highly competent workforce.
• Completes the requirements of the Performance Management Process for identified personnel within the department including the plant goal setting process.
• Encourages all team members to develop and utilize an employee development plan and to maintain information relative to their career goals.
• Creates an environment that fosters team and individual empowerment. Ensures effective and sustained organizational culture for Empowerment.
• Coaching of plant personnel; and personally participates to achieve Business and plant goals and objectives (HES, quality, production, cost).

Safety and Environmental – 20%

• Ensures compliance of regulatory and plant safety and environmental requirements with special emphasis on Process Safety Management (PSM) compliance within Operations group.
• Participates fully in plant safety initiatives and programs including Behavioral Based Safety (BBS) program, Safe Work Assessment Tool (SWAT) program, and others.
• Acts as incident commander during plant emergencies if the Plant Manager and HES Specialist are unavailable.
• Ensure that all incidents are reported and appropriately investigated and corrective actions implemented.
• Ensure that all department members follow required HES Training, Standards, Policies, and Procedures.
• Demonstrates commitment to HES through high visibility and actions.
• Leads department housekeeping initiatives.

Strategic Activities – 15%

• Leads Site Dashboard development and management efforts.
• Serve as the site SMART coordinator.
• Serve as a backup to Plant Manager as required. Act as media contact as required.
• Promotes the Six Sigma initiatives within the plant.
• Compliance to Torrance Plant Leadership Expectations, including on call responsibilities.
• Supports all AIMS (Arkema Integrated Management Systems) initiatives, including element ownership as assigned. 

All other duties as assigned – 5%

Minimum Qualifications and Education Required

Min Years of Experience            

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a manufacturing environment or chemical plant is required.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a supervisory role with direct reports is preferred.

Education and area of focus    

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (chemical or mechanical) required.
• A working knowledge of HSE regulations; Occupational Safety & Health, Process Safety Management; Environmental Regulations (particularly RCRA), Emergency Response, and other relevant requirements.

Certifications/Trainings:           

• Root Cause Investigation facilitator/leader preferred.
• Six Sigma Greenbelt preferred.

Competencies - Knowledge Skills & Abilities (KSAs)    

• Demonstrated leadership, learning and development skills.
• Initiative and self-starter.
• Solid understanding of both technical and financial impacts of process-related decisions.
• Ability to understand and troubleshoot chemical processes in order to act as Technology Plant Focal Point.
• Demonstrated personnel management and organizational skills, ability to shift priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills to communicate with hourly workforce, business leaders, customers and Business technical organization.
• Excellent judgment and problem analysis skills are required as well as tolerance for stress
• Demonstration of the ability to solve problems and take independent action.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including good coaching skills
• Highly motivated team player able to work at a fast pace
• Strong initiative and able to work with very little oversight

Physical Demands/Working Conditions            

• Located in a Chemical manufacturing plant.
• On occasion must lift, up to 50 pounds and climb ladders.
• Expected to be present in the field.
• Will be expected to flex schedule at times to spend ample time with all shifts.