Director of Operations

Department: Operations

Hiring Manager: President & CEO

FLSA Status Exempt

Working Status: Full-Time

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Operations reports to the CEO and leads the site operations team. This role is responsible for executing the strategic vision, managing day-to-day operations, and overseeing primary aspects of the manufacturing facility. The ideal candidate will provide strategic and technical leadership to manufacturing operations, ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective production while complying with all regulatory and Process Safety Management (PSM) requirements.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Align annual operations goals with business strategy and provide direction, resources, and motivation to achieve or exceed targets.
• Create an operations organization and culture to support the new DMC/EMC facility.
• Monitor manufacturing costs and implement solutions to meet financial objectives.
• Develop a best-in-class operations management framework based on industry expertise and insights.
• Establish and communicate measurable safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives to drive operational excellence.
• Foster a culture of safety and environmental responsibility, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Incorporate Process Safety and Risk Management principles into departmental goals and activities.
• Ensure production schedules meet both internal objectives and customer expectations.
• Lead training programs to enhance expertise and technical competence.
• Track and manage operations budgets, identifying opportunities for cost savings and forecasting expenditures.
• Develop manufacturing strategies and annual quality plans focused on continuous improvement initiatives.
• Promote positive labor/management relations and mentor employees while driving accountability.
• Develop leadership capabilities within the team to build a high-performance organization.
• Ensure collaborate across departments to align on shared strategies and objectives.
• Apply analytical tools such as Root Cause Analysis, 5S, and Lean/Six Sigma for problem-solving and continuous improvement.

Key Skills & Competencies:

• Strong commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to lead in a collaborative work environment to solve complex problems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across all organizational levels.
• Self-motivated with strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on operational efficiency.
• Strong leadership and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to manage time effectively and handle multiple priorities.
• Technical expertise in continuous process operations.
• Strategic foresight to anticipate market changes and adjust manufacturing strategies.
• Deep commitment to safety, health, and environmental stewardship.
• Creation of a best-in-class operations organization while hiring and training to support the start-up of the DMC/EMC plant by Q4 2026

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum Required: Bachelor of Science from an accredited university.
• 15 years of experience in specialty chemical, manufacturing, petrochemical, or pharmaceutical plant operations.
• 8 years of progressive leadership experience managing engineers, managers, or supervisors.
• Experience as a Production Engineer, Operations Manager, Process Engineer, or Site Leader.
• Strong business acumen with operational, maintenance, or supply chain experience.
• Working knowledge of Process Safety methodologies such as LOPA, HAZOP, PSM, and RMP.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 9000 standards.
• Proven track record in root cause investigation and corrective action implementation.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to multitask effectively.
• Ability to perform under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated success in safety performance and budget management.

Additional Qualifications:

• Leadership experience in manufacturing environments fostering a positive workplace culture.
• Operations and maintenance expertise with a strong focus on safety and environmental protection.
• Collaborative experience working with engineering, quality, finance, and supply chain teams.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preferred: MBA or master’s degree.
• Bachelor of Science in an Engineering discipline.
• Hands-on experience implementing operations system improvements.
• Expertise in predictive and preventative operations strategies.
• Proven experience in operations work management processes.
• Extensive knowledge of regulatory compliance related to chemical manufacturing (OSHA, EPA, PSM, RMP).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CMMS software.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: UBE is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.