Director of Operations

MAIN FUNCTION:

• As senior operations executive, directs company’s site production operation processes encompassing production, maintenance, shipping, and quality assurance (labs), as well as corporate functional areas of Engineering and EHS.
• Thoroughly understands financial and economic impacts of operating decisions. Formulates strategic and operating plans that strive for profitability, growth, and competitiveness.
• Allocates organizational resources to establish an efficient and effective team to meet the needs of the corporation and the markets being served.
• Provides leadership in the development and implementation of policies and procedures to guide and form a team-oriented and responsive organization.
• Develops and implements continuous and innovative solutions to optimize carbon black plant operations and maximize energy recovery.
• Provides operational support and services to both domestic and foreign operations.
• Manufacturing – ensures all production plan assets, including personnel, equipment, machinery, and facilities are operating efficiently and effectively to achieve planned objectives. Directs and mentors Plant General Managers in the production, maintenance, packaging, shipping and transportation functions to achieve operations excellence.
• Engineering – maintains technical and project expertise in the areas of capital projects, plant instrumentations and controls, process analysis and enhancements, and technology competence.
• Environmental, Health and Safety – Ensures plant operations are in total compliance with all applicable government regulations. Instills positive relationship within the communities that the plants are located. Actively contributes to the ICBA activities and goals.
• Process Technology – Monitors ongoing CBA manufacturing process efficiency and develops continuous improvement programs in process efficiency and reliability.
• Industrial Labor – Able to work and negotiate with labor unions effectively to accomplish desired objectives.
• Revenue, cost and budget management – Establishes and follows financial and operating budgets with regular monitoring and tracking of KPIs (key performance indices).
• Profit and Loss – Achieves stated performance objectives in the Company Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and strategic business objectives.
• Reviews, approves, and monitors capital RFE’s to ensure proper scope, justification, cost estimates, and definitions are properly prepared. In coordination with plant management, evaluates progress of all capital projects to ensure compliance with approved scope, budgets, and schedules.
• Defines and establishes KPI’s for direct reports and reviews performance based on company policy.
• Establishes process to identify and to groom high potential employees in critical-skill areas.
• Stays abreast of new engineering technologies to determine suitability of application in company operations for the purpose of process optimization and achieving “best in class” status.
• Leads the development, evaluation, and implementation of energy recovery projects that include steam and power generation. Engages and works with outside technical consultants when appropriate.
• B.S. in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering, MS or MBA preferred. Minimum of 15 years of relevant work experience, including 5 years of demonstrated success in a similar position with a similarly-sized manufacturing company.
• Proficient with computerized, integrated information systems. Excellent communicator, both oral and written.