Manager, Operations

Oil Dri•Ripley, MS

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Operations Manager provides leadership and direction to teammates in the Packaging and Processing Departments, optimizing team effectiveness and meeting daily work schedules. The role is responsible for safety, regulatory compliance, morale, cost control, and achievement of departmental goals through management of productivity, material usage, product quality and yield, and equipment utilization. The manager works across departments with other functional leaders and supports a change culture to achieve facility strategic goals. This role is based at an active mine site and requires daily onsite presence, Monday through Friday. Work conditions may include uneven terrain, climbing ladders, navigating steps, and exposure to weather such as heat, rain, or mud. The Operations Manager oversees plant activities and production planning, coordinates supplies and clay availability, manages staffing and operational and capital plans, and develops direct reports. The position monitors costs and waste management, coordinates equipment inspections and maintenance, and leads continuous improvement activities. It also analyzes operational data, recommends and implements improvements, maintains procedures and training materials, and completes required reporting and documentation.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in a processing and packaging environment.
At least 3 years of experience in a supervisory capacity.
Experience with an ERP manufacturing system.
Experience in bulk material handling and packaging equipment and supplies.
Familiarity with MS Excel spreadsheets, word processing, and Outlook.
Demonstrated expertise in process management to ensure production efficiency.
Strong execution skills and a results-oriented approach.
Demonstrated understanding of quality processes, continuous improvement, and problem solving.
Excellent communication skills and ability to interact across all levels of the organization while accomplishing organizational goals.
Ability to analyze problems and present workable solutions.
Honesty and integrity.
Ability to work onsite at an active mine site Monday through Friday; work may involve uneven terrain, climbing ladders, navigating steps, and exposure to heat, rain, or mud.

Nice To Haves

College degree in Packaging Science, Operations, or an Engineering field.
Working knowledge of HRIS Timekeeper.
Six Sigma certification.
Familiarity with MSHA or OSHA regulations and practices.

Responsibilities

Ensure teammates follow established safety rules and practices, environmental standards, and housekeeping standards while striving for zero accidents.
Understand customer quality requirements, ensure teammates understand and follow them, and work with Quality Assurance on process capabilities.
Develop, implement, and ensure compliance with procedures to detect and eliminate nonconforming incoming supplies and prevent nonconforming products.
Help drive a change culture in support of facility strategic goals.
Coordinate purchases of supplies needed for department operations.
Coordinate with Processing and mining contractors to ensure current and future clay supply is available for packaging operations.
Lead and guide plant activities so manufacturing objectives are accomplished in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Monitor and control waste management to align with production costs and reduce environmental impacts.
Supervise, train, and develop direct reports.
Develop general staffing, operational, and capital plans for the plant, and schedule staff.
Maintain understanding of plant operations, including processing, packaging, loading, inventory management, and material flow, to align operations with production and customer demand requirements.
Plan production, packaging, and loading operations, establishing priorities and sequences for packaging products.
Communicate key metrics to the Plant Manager and teams to stimulate process improvement and cost reduction.
Lead Continuous Improvement, Visual Controls, TPM, and 5S activities.
Arrange equipment inspections as necessary and coordinate maintenance to meet preventive maintenance goals.
Develop and maintain procedure manuals and training aids.
Gather and analyze data, then make and implement recommendations for process improvements and cost reductions.
Increase efficiencies, maximize daily production, and achieve all drop rates.
Complete required reporting and documentation.