Operations Manager - Cuyahoga Heights, OH

SMS Mill Services, LLC. • Cuyahoga Heights, OH

4d • Onsite

About The Position

SMS Mill Services, LLC is seeking a safety-focused Operations Manager to serve as the site lead for subcontractor operations at a major steel mill in Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio. The role directs, manages, coordinates, and monitors the site team’s daily activities to achieve production, shipping, and related targets. The Operations Manager reports to the Regional Operations Director.

SMS Mill Services provides steel mill services including scrap yard management, finished and semi-finished product services, melt shop services, logistics and transportation support, and slag processing. The company partners with customers to develop cost-effective solutions that add operational and environmental value.

The Operations Manager leads a unionized workforce and a production team, oversees site safety and performance, and manages site costs and profitability. The position requires visible, hands-on leadership in a challenging industrial setting and collaboration with mill leadership, subcontractor management, safety teams, and other stakeholders. The role also involves production and employee scheduling, reporting, maintenance coordination, continuous improvement, regulatory compliance, and cost control.

Requirements

• Demonstrated expertise in safety management and work in high-risk environments involving rail cars and heavy equipment.
• Strong leadership, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a dirty, dusty, physically demanding outdoor environment.
• Uncompromising commitment to safety.
• Hands-on, visible leadership style.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Industrial Management, or a related discipline; equivalent work experience is considered.

Responsibilities

• Drive a safety-first culture and ensure work complies with OSHA standards, site rules, and company safety policies.
• Oversee safe operations involving rail cars, heavy industrial machinery, and other high-risk equipment.
• Maintain a visible field presence by observing, coaching, and correcting work to support safe, efficient, and compliant performance.
• Lead and motivate a unionized workforce, support positive labor relations, and ensure accountability, productivity, and adherence to procedures.
• Collaborate with mill leadership, subcontractor management, and safety teams to achieve operational objectives.
• Lead the production team and manage the dedicated site’s costs and profitability (P&L) to achieve safety and productivity goals.
• Optimize resource utilization by leading and motivating hourly and salaried employees and analyzing daily reports.
• Meet KPIs and exceed efficiency and performance standards.
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly production reports and respond to information requests from site, division, and corporate teams.
• Coordinate with maintenance to implement and manage weekly planned and corrective maintenance schedules that support reliable equipment and production targets.
• Prepare production schedules for projects and weekly employee schedules to optimize performance.
• Monitor production, equipment downtime, and availability, adjusting schedules as needed to manage staffing levels and payroll expenses.
• Coordinate, establish, and implement standard operating procedures for production operations.
• Communicate clearly and provide on-the-job training and assistance as needed.
• Implement and drive continuous improvement, including change management.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including environmental, safety, and health guidelines and best practices; mitigate risks related to contractors and vendor insurance and indemnification.
• Ensure expenses are submitted and authorized before financial commitments and that receipts of goods and services are recorded in the correct financial period.
• Follow cost-saving initiatives and identify ways to reduce costs and enhance revenue.
• Participate as a member of the management team, align with company values and policies, and escalate or report issues as appropriate.
• Plan, participate in, and contribute to internal and external business meetings as needed.
• Conduct daily production meetings to review prior-day performance, current plans, upcoming needs, projects, and issues.
• Walk the facilities daily to follow up on plans, verify execution, ensure conformance to standards, and monitor inventories.
• Treat employees, customers, suppliers, and others professionally, respectfully, and courteously.

Benefits

• Comprehensive compensation package commensurate with experience, including bonuses.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits, plus company-paid life insurance, offered on day one.
• 401(k) with 4% matching, 100% vested as of the first contribution.
• Paid holidays and four weeks of paid vacation.
• Opportunities to grow and learn with the industry.
• Work with a dynamic, collaborative, progressive, and high-performing team.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager