Operations Manage Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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SALARY FT EXEMPT Hammond, IN, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1435

Backed by an over 130-year history, Ecovyst has evolved into a platform of leading sulfur solutions united by a shared commitment to reliability, innovation, and performance. We have carefully cultivated our reputation as a premier provider of virgin sulfuric acid, sulfuric acid regeneration services, and sulfuric acid derivatives. We provide specialty grade high-purity virgin sulfuric acid for a number of diverse and growing end uses. Among them are mining, particularly copper for electronics applications, production of electric vehicles and the ongoing expansion of data centers across the globe, and industrial applications including our customers’ production of nylon precursors, production of lead acid batteries for all types of vehicles, industrial and municipal water treatment, and refining and petrochemical processes.

• Ecoservices provides sulfuric acid regeneration, produces virgin sulfuric acid, and offers chemical waste handling and treatment services
• Calabrian produces high-value sulfur dioxide and derivative solutions, enabling us to serve a broader set of essential industries
• Chem32 sulfides and activates catalysts for refining and renewable fuel processes

What we offer:

• Competitive pay
• Full benefit package
• 401k matching
• Tuition Reimbursement

Position Overview

The Operations Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, establishing guidelines and controls, and directing all activities across production operations and the logistics/shipping function.

What you will be doing:

• Drive manufacturing excellence - own OEE program (Gross/Availability/Performance/Net); lead and maintain a tiered meeting cascade to ensure KPI visibility and accountability at all levels (daily, weekly, monthly)
• Champion safety culture and LOTO program compliance - ensure all personnel are trained on life critical rules and LOTO procedures; maintain a strong safety focus across all operations; conduct and oversee safety observations; drive accountability for safety performance across the team.
• Develop and maintain a rolling 3-5 year capital expenditure plan; build a strong working relationship with the Ecovyst corporate capex team on project prioritization and justification; submit and defend annual capital budget requests.
• Lead debottlenecking initiatives and value stream mapping (VSM) exercises - identify process and operational constraints; facilitate cross-functional VSM sessions to map flow and eliminate waste; develop and execute improvement plans to optimize throughput and minimize non-value-added activities.
• Maintain full compliance with all Enablon action items across the area of responsibility - ensure no overdue actions; conduct periodic aging reviews of open items with direct reports; report compliance status to Site Director.
• Own MOC (Management of Change) implementation and tracking for the operations area.
• Develop and coach direct reports
• Oversee logistics operations - manage Logistics Supervisor and loading team to ensure safe, efficient, and accurate product loading, tank inventory management, and outbound shipping execution.
• Manage tank inventory and raw material inventory
• Manage and minimize demurrage costs
• Oversee truck loading operations and safety
• Participate on the Hammond Management Team and Ecovyst production and operations network teams.
• Lead Hammond continuous improvement teams across production and logistics.
• Lead turnaround shutdown, LOTO execution, unit inspection, and startup activities.
• Own and periodically review unit operating limits; ensure any changes follow the MOC process.
• Actively support and enforce the plant's HS&E standards and Ecovyst 20 Principles for Managing Behavioral and Operational Safety.
• Provide miscellaneous leadership including rotating duty superintendent responsibilities and Supervisor Safety Meetings as required.
• Support Management Team initiatives and help drive organizational change.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering from a four-year college or university
• Min 5-10 years of operations or production management experience in a chemical manufacturing environment, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• PSM experience required -OSHA 1910.119 including LOTO, PSSR, MOC, incident investigation, and PHA action item management.
• USW (or equivalent) union environment experience required - demonstrated ability to lead and manage a unionized workforce across multiple functions.
• Demonstrated experience managing production and logistics KPls: OEE, VMC cost per ton, demurrage, tank inventory, and tiered meeting/dashboard management.
• Capital budgeting and 3-5 year capex planning experience; strong working relationship with corporate capital teams.
• Proficient in SAP, Enablon, OSlsoft Pl Vision, Microsoft Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Logistics and supply chain coordination experience - tank farm operations, carrier management, demurrage tracking preferred.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and subordinate development skills; experience managing across multiple operational functions.
• Handling changing priorities in a fast-paced chemical manufacturing environment.
• Equipment inspections including confined space entries.