Arkema has established itself as France’s leading chemical producer and a world leader in specialty chemicals and advanced materials. With annual sales of €8.8 billion and 20,000 people employed in some 55 countries, the Group pursues ambitious recruitment objectives both in France and around the world. Arkema offers diverse employment opportunities in 200 job functions and professions in four major fields: industrial, R&D, business, and support functions.

Reaching far beyond your discoveries!

Regarded as one of the world’s leading innovators, Arkema has made research one of the pillars of its strategy. For example by discovering new solutions to help reduce the weight of materials, hence cut down consumption. By developing innovative thermal insulation systems that can optimize the energy performance of buildings. Or by seeking new applications for its biosourced products at the service of greater sustainable development.

Innovative and durable solutions

Our high performance products have applications in wide-ranging areas, from new generation car batteries or telephones to recyclable wind turbine blades, from adhesives for the protective backsheets of solar panels to drinking water filtration systems, from running shoes and acrylic resins with no solvent and no volatile organic compound for 3D printing to molecular sieves for portable oxygen devices used by people suffering from respiratory failure… Joining Arkema means being part of a Group enjoying sustained growth that in little more than a decade has built up an exemplary achievement record, setting high ambitions for itself and for its employees. All our job opportunities are open to people with disabilities at equal merit or with equal skill levels.

Job Title: Operations Manager

Salary Range: $115,000 - $146,000

SITUATION IN ORGANIZATION

Position reports directly to Torrance Plant Manager, managing a team of between 20 and 30 employees including a Run Plant Engineer and all hourly operations employees as direct reports. Influences and collaborates with the site management team including production, logistics, quality, engineering, maintenance, and HES.

JOB DIMENSIONS

The Operations Manager is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the Torrance Plant in order to achieve our business objectives. Provides leadership and coaching to Plant personnel; ensures the plant meets inventory requirements; operates within budget based upon forecasted plant volume demand; meets customer expectations through continual improvement in product and process quality & helps develop personnel to meet/exceed expectations and prepare for career advancement.

The Operations Manager has shared responsibility and accountability for the plant assets, personnel, and achievement of the plant related business goals. The role delivers plant based business and administrative leadership to an empowered, work process driven, plant organization.

Operations Manager is the focal point for determining the required production and volume targets based on sales forecast, equipment limitations, inventory space, required maintenance, inspection activities and operating budget. The person must appropriately identify and attain production goals to meet customer’s needs in accordance with all Safety and Environmental requirements. Additionally, needs to ensure that adequate technical support is available and that improvements are made to existing processes. He/she ensures that proposed improvements meet all safety and environment requirements.

KEY ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

30% Safety and Environmental:

• Ensures compliance of regulatory and plant safety and environmental requirements with special emphasis on Process Safety Management (PSM) compliance within Operations group.
• Participates fully in plant safety initiatives and programs including Behavioral Based Safety (BBS) program.
• Ensure that all incidents are reported, and appropriately investigated and corrective actions implemented.
• Ensure that all department members follow required HES Training, Standards, Policies and Procedures.
• Demonstrates commitment to HES through high visibility and actions.

30% Production: Coordinates resources to meet short- and long-term production forecast through participation with Business Team, ensuring goals and commitments are met safely and within budget.

• Prepare, monitor, and control monthly budget.
• Participate in monthly and weekly meetings with Supply Chain and Sales to determine plant production requirements as well as the impact of any changes in the 12-month forecast.
• Coordinate Production with planned and unplanned maintenance activities and production turnarounds.
• Monitor daily production, shipping activities, product quality and direct adjustments to production and shipping plans as appropriate. Ensure continuous evaluation and implementation of improvements.
• Prepare weekly and monthly reports to meet plant and Business requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement in our processes.
• Leads Site Dashboard development and management efforts.
• Drive investigations and corrective actions for all quality problems and altering finished goods.
• Leads OAU/OEE tracking and improvement efforts.
• Ensures implementation and ongoing effectiveness of work processes, Operating Discipline, management systems, enabling technologies and roles.
• Promotes the Six Sigma initiative within the department.
• Ensures Most Effective Technology (MET) and specific Operating Discipline requirements are in place.
• Performs appropriate Manage Production roles as determined by Plant / Business (Operate Plant, Operating Discipline, Produce to Plan / Record Production, etc.).
• Drives incident investigations and corrective action processes.

30% Department Staff Management: Direct and lead the members of the Production, Shipping and Receiving groups to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the plant and meet customer deliveries.

• Serve as a coach and mentor to the department personnel.
• Serve as a backup to Plant Manager as required. Act as media contact as required.
• Participates in strategic goal setting for the plant.
• Motivate workforce through visibility and direct contact to ensure maximum safety and productivity.
• Counsel on performance as appropriate.
• Identify skills development and training needs to maintain highly competent workforce.
• Complete *assigned training through Training Mine or attendance to assigned Web-Ex or Instructor Led Training (ILT) classes.
• Serve as the site SMART coordinator.
• Completes the requirements of the Performance Management Process for identified personnel within the department including the plant goal setting process.
• Encourages all team members to develop and utilize an employee development plan and to maintain information relative to their career goals.
• Creates an environment that fosters team and individual empowerment. Ensures effective and sustained organizational culture for Empowerment.
• Coaching of plant personnel; and personally, participates to achieve Business and plant goals and objectives (HES, quality, production, cost).

10% All other duties as assigned.

CONTEXT AND ENVIRONMENT

• High profile / key position within the plant which works closely with every department, sales and marketing, customers, and the community. Has direct daily involvement with most of the activities in the facility.
• Responsibility for hourly workforce and role of On-Site Manager requires substantial time that must be prioritized among other responsibilities to provide adequate support in this area.
• Maintain High level of communication from the Business through the Technicians.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS /WORK EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (chemical or mechanical) field preferred Experience (at least 7 years’ experience in manufacturing plant is preferred) Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous supervisory experience is required. Strong leadership ability.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Solid understanding of both technical and financial impacts of process-related decisions.
• Ability to understand and troubleshoot chemical processes in order to act as Technology Plant Focal Point. Demonstrated personnel management and organizational skills, ability to shift priorities and meet deadlines. Planning and organizational talent.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills to communicate with hourly workforce, business leaders, customers, and Business technical organization.
• Excellent judgment and problem analysis skills are required as well as tolerance for stress
• Demonstration of the ability to solve problems and take independent action. Excellent interpersonal skills, including good coaching skills
• Highly motivated team player able to work at a fast pace Strong initiative and able to work with very little oversight.
• Self-motivated, capable decision-maker that is able to effectively influence others

DEMONSTRATED COMPETENCIES

• Accountability: Takes responsibility for all work activities and personal actions; follows through on commitments; implements decisions that have been agreed upon; maintains confidentiality with sensitive information; acknowledges and learns from mistakes without blaming others; recognizes the impact of one's behavior on others.
• Problem Solving: Generates creative approaches to solving problems and addressing opportunities.
• Service Orientation: Acts professionally and calmly at all times when interacting with others; consistently demonstrates concern and courtesy towards colleagues and customers.
• Working Collaboratively: Works collegially with others, cooperating in both interpersonal and team relationships.
• Clear Communication: Expresses oneself clearly and effectively when speaking and/or writing to individuals or groups; listens attentively; ensures information is understood by all parties.

A designer of materials and innovative solutions, Arkema shapes materials and creates new uses that accelerate customer performance. Our balanced business portfolio spans high-performance materials, industrial specialties and coating solutions. Our globally recognized brands are ranked among the leaders in the markets we serve. Reporting annual sales of €8.8 billion ($10.4 billion USD) in 2018, we employ approximately 20,000 people worldwide and operate in close to 55 countries. We are committed to active engagement with all our stakeholders. Our research centers in North America, France and Asia concentrate on advances in bio-based products, new energies, water management, electronic solutions, lightweight materials and design, home efficiency and insulation.

Arkema Inc. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Arkema Inc. complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence.