Director of Operations - Chemical Manufacturing

Company Profile:

The Baerlocher group of companies is one of the world's leading additive suppliers, drawing on experience from more than 200 years of company history. We are known as a leading producer of additives developed for the processing of PVC and SPA products. The company provides solutions for window profiles, pipes, cables, floorings, foils, films and many other applications with a focus on offering a wide range of innovative additives that meet the highest requirements in terms of efficiency, sustainability, and finished product quality.

Job Summary:

The Director of Operations will provide excellent customer service and will promote this idea throughout the organization. The goal is to keep the department running in an efficient and profitable manner, to increase customer satisfaction, loyalty and retention, and to meet customer expectations while training the organization to mirror these skills.

The purpose of this position is to:

1. Execute the company strategy.
2. Manage resources.
3. Lead a culture of continuous improvement.

This will be measured by the effectiveness of:

• Leading a culture of safety
• Planning, organizing, directing and running optimum operations
• Increasing efficiency, assets capacity, and flexibility while eliminating unnecessary costs
• Ensuring optimal operations of manufacturing assets and staff
• Responsibility for production output, product quality and on-time shipping
• Leading continuous improvement and optimization of all processes

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Allocate resources effectively and fully utilize assets to produce optimal results
• Design and report monthly reports and KPI’s describing the state of the manufacturing optimization
• Implement strategies in alignment with strategic initiatives and provide a clear sense of direction and focus
• Monitor operations and trigger corrective actions
• Share a trusting relationship with workgroup and recruit, manage and develop plant staff
• Collect and analyze data to find places of waste or overtime
• Define and commit to plant, lab and office safety procedures
• Develop systems and processes that track and optimize productivity and standards, metrics and performance targets to ensure effective return on assets
• Address employees’ issues or grievances
• Influence and learn from everyone in the organization
• Stay up to date with latest production management best practices and concepts
• Stay up to date on EPA and OSHA requirements and expectations

Candidate Qualifications

• Proven work experience as a plant manager or operations manager
• Proven managerial experience
• Adequate knowledge of business and management principles (budgeting, strategic planning, resource allocation and human resources)
• Familiarity with industry standard equipment and technical expertise
• Be knowledgeable of safety, quality, productivity, demand creation, inventory and stewardship processes
• Computer literacy
• Ability to create accountability and to lead by example
• Strong team building, decision-making and people management skills
• BS degree in a technical field or related field
• Knowledge of EPA and OSHA standards

Strongly desired:

• Holds an MS Degree in Chemistry or Engineering
• Six Sigma experience
• Understands stage gate methodology for commercialization
• Proficiency with statistics and analytics

Benefits:

• Competitive base salary
• Yearly bonus
• Paid vacation
• 14 paid holidays
• Health, dental, and vision plans
• Company paid life insurance, short term disability, and long term disability
• 401(k) with company matching contribution