Director of Operations

Job Summary:

The Director of Operations is considered the key leader in overseeing and supporting the asphalt plant operations (7 - 10 plants) in his/her geographical area. The individual is accountable for achieving business results and is expected to provide leadership and support to ensure each plant is successful as an individual plant and part of the network of plants that make up Asphalt-Materials Inc. The successful candidate will be able to identify opportunities to improve and formulate / execute the plans to achieve operational excellence (Continuously improving safety, health, compliance, quality control/assurance, customer satisfaction, production, energy efficiency, maintenance, capital projects, plant expenses, material usages, community relations and employee coaching, training and development metrics).

Essential Job Functions:

1) Provide day to day leadership, support, solutions and direction for the plant operations and employees

2) Communicate clear expectations and hold Plant Managers accountable for expectations including pursuing operational excellence

3) Determine metrics and implement / manage score card process to measure plant and employee success as well as ensure the score cards are aligned with the financial goals and overall business objectives

4) Own the safety, environmental and regulatory compliance for each plant operation

5) Build and maintain a strong functional team through effective communication, recruiting, training, coaching,

team building, employee development and succession planning

6) Ensure quality assurance and quality control compliance

7) Facilitate communication and information sharing between regional/cross-regional plants and employees

8) Act as point of contact for Plant Managers and business leaders

9) Communicate status report of each plant to management on a monthly basis

10) Reinforce a culture focused on teamwork, effective communication, problem solving and collaboration

11) Ensure plant practices align with overall business strategy and goals

12) Coach Plant Managers on creative solutions and use appropriate problem solving techniques to resolve plant

issues such as formulation trouble, employee conflicts, material shortages, and process breakdowns

13) Own the 5-year Capital planning process. Coordinating with Plant Managers, sales team, Compliance and safety, QA/QC, finance, and Engineering to ensure proper Capital Expenditure. Ensuring Requests are in place with appropriate economic justification in a timely manner.

14) Benchmark and implement best practices across the company

15) Serve as a functional / Subject Matter Expert to plants outside your region

16) Champion initiatives beyond the plants as needed by the business

17) Support and promote the Vision, Mission and Values of the company

18) Create the sense of urgency needed to drive improvements and resolve issues proactively

19) Be a Change Leader for your organization

20) Facilitate group problem solving efforts as needed

Relevant Skills:

• Lean and or 6 sigma experience
• Knowledge of Process Safety Management or other Safety Management Systems
• Knowledge of Quality Management systems (ISO etc)
• Mentoring and coaching
• Capable of leveraging a performance management system to improve business results
• Technical Capabilities aligned with chemical processing operations
• Change Leadership and Change Management Champion
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Economic analysis, budgeting, and cost control
• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills and the skills to teach them Capable of teaching root cause analysis
• Teamwork and collaborative skills
• Self-motivation
• Appropriate sense of urgency tempered with appropriate situational patience.
• Computer proficiency and the willingness to learn new systems Will need to become proficient on proprietary production software quickly
• Presentation skills with the ability to influence others to action
• Creating and communicating a vision, process, path, and the energy to achieve that vision

Requirements:

• Motivation, energy, time and commitment to pursue continuous improvement (Operational Excellence)
• Ten years relevant Leader / Managerial / Professional work experience in a material processing industry.
• Bachelor's Science degree required (Engineering, Construction, Science (Physics or Chemistry) or related field
• Prefer experience with liquid processing, including emulsification, purification and chemical reactions or relevant experience from the process industry
• Prefer experience with heating technologies including hot oil, steam and heat exchanger systems
• Proven leadership and management experience
• Demonstrated customer focus and customer satisfaction results
• Physical Requirements: Standing for long periods of time; lifting 50 pounds; bending to lift; climbing ladders; ability to drive equipment
• Overnight travel frequently required; locations are within a day drive of Indianapolis
• Frequent travel to plants.
• Appropriate driving record
• This position could be located in Columbus, OH, Toledo, OH, Chicago, IL, Indianapolis, IN, Madison, WI

Current Openings for Director of Operations Jobs at The Heritage Group