Safety Operations Manager Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Operations Manager – Industrial Processing & Warehouse

Position Overview

Our client, a well-established industrial materials organization, is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee daily processing, warehouse, and yard activities at one of its facilities. This position is responsible for workforce deployment, production workflow, inventory control, equipment readiness, workplace safety, and overall operational performance.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with experience managing employees in an industrial, manufacturing, recycling, distribution, or material-processing environment. This individual will balance productivity, safety, quality, customer service, and employee development while working closely with senior operations leadership and other departments.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Management

• Direct daily processing, warehouse, and yard operations to achieve production, service, safety, and profitability objectives.
• Plan workflow and deploy hourly employees based on production priorities, staffing levels, equipment availability, and customer needs.
• Monitor operational activity and maintain reports measuring production, inventory, equipment utilization, and overall performance.
• Manage material handling and processing activities to maximize productivity, quality, and margin contribution.
• Coordinate with other departments to identify opportunities to improve the value and handling of incoming materials.
• Provide operational support to other company facilities or departments when needed.

Team Leadership

• Supervise frontline leads and hourly employees in a union environment.
• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, scheduling, training, and employee development.
• Assign and direct work, evaluate performance, provide coaching, and address employee concerns.
• Administer corrective action and other employment decisions in accordance with company policies, applicable laws, and the collective bargaining agreement.
• Train employees on material identification, processing procedures, equipment use, and safe work practices.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and respectful workplace culture.

Safety, Quality, and Compliance

• Promote a strong safety culture throughout the facility and consistently enforce established safety policies.
• Ensure employees follow safe operating procedures when handling materials and operating equipment.
• Participate in the development and implementation of operational and quality standards.
• Maintain the facility, warehouse, and yard in a clean, organized, safe, and environmentally responsible condition.
• Support compliance with applicable environmental, regulatory, and company requirements.
• Investigate operational or safety concerns and implement corrective actions when appropriate.

Equipment and Maintenance

• Oversee the safe and productive use of stationary processing equipment, mobile equipment, and other facility assets.
• Maintain and prioritize equipment repair and preventive-maintenance needs.
• Coordinate maintenance activities to minimize downtime and operational disruption.
• Identify equipment needs and participate in researching, evaluating, and coordinating capital purchases.
• Ensure equipment inspections, service records, and maintenance documentation are completed accurately.

Inventory and Administration

• Maintain accurate inventory records and ensure timely reporting of material movement.
• Verify that operational paperwork is complete and that information is entered accurately into company systems.
• Monitor transactions, production records, and supporting documentation for accuracy.
• Assist with purchasing activities and provide service to customers delivering materials to company facilities.

Required Qualifications

• Two or more years of operations leadership experience in an industrial, manufacturing, recycling, warehouse, distribution, or material-processing environment.
• Experience supervising frontline or hourly employees.
• Demonstrated ability to manage workflow, staffing, equipment, inventory, and operational priorities.
• Working knowledge of workplace safety practices and industrial operating procedures.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective communication, coaching, conflict-resolution, and team-building skills.
• Ability to remain professional and composed when handling operational challenges, employee concerns, or customer issues.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and business systems used for scheduling, inventory, reporting, and operational tracking.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; college coursework, a degree, or relevant technical training is preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a unionized environment.
• Background in metals, recycling, materials recovery, heavy manufacturing, or industrial processing.
• Experience managing preventive maintenance and production equipment.
• Familiarity with inventory-control practices and operational performance reporting.
• Knowledge of environmental compliance requirements within an industrial setting.

Physical Requirements

This position regularly works in both indoor and outdoor industrial environments. The employee must be able to:

• Frequently stand, walk, communicate, and move throughout the facility and yard.
• Regularly use hands to operate equipment, tools, computers, and other workplace materials.
• Occasionally climb, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Occasionally lift or move materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Perform work requiring close vision, color recognition, and the ability to adjust visual focus.

Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Work Environment

The Operations Manager regularly moves between office, warehouse, production, and outdoor yard environments. The role may involve exposure to changing weather conditions, moving machinery, mobile equipment, mechanical components, dust, and elevated noise levels. Appropriate personal protective equipment must be worn as required.

Additional Expectations

• Maintain punctual, regular, and reliable attendance.
• Communicate effectively with employees, customers, vendors, and company leadership.
• Respond constructively to feedback and direction.
• Demonstrate sound judgment, professionalism, and integrity.
• Perform other duties and support additional operational priorities as assigned.

Legado Talent provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Company Profile:

Legado Talent is a national recruiting and executive search firm founded with the purpose of doing recruitment differently. Headquartered in Kansas City and operating nationwide, the company is built on the belief that true recruiting strength comes from exceptional people, service quality, and long-term partnerships with both clients and candidates.

Mission & Values

• To help clients build their legacy by delivering top-tier, passive talent that aligns with business strategy and culture.
• To treat each client and candidate as our most important partner — with personalized service, integrity, and responsiveness.
• To bring together industry-leading recruitment expertise with a boutique, consultative approach.

Learn more about Legado Talent and our service offerings by visiting www.legadotalent.com.