Operations Manager

Roquette•Newark, NJ

25d•$146,367 - $176,052•Onsite

About The Position

Roquette is a family-owned global leader in plant-based ingredients and a leading provider of pharmaceutical excipients. Want to help us make a difference? Using plant-based resources, we collaborate with our customers and partners to imagine and offer ingredients to better feed people and treat patients. Each of our ingredients responds to unique and essential needs, and they enable healthier lifestyles. We are looking for our next Operations Manager within our Operations Team. The Operations Manager will be responsible for providing leadership and direction for the site’s technical operations team and driving plant continuous improvement initiatives. The role directs and coordinates all activities of the process and automation engineers and partners with the Manufacturing Technology team and Capital Engineering team to ensure proper prioritization and technical oversight of operations and ensure continuous improvement activities are on track. The Operations Manager is a key member of the Newark site leadership team and supports and establishes a strong safety and productive culture. This position is located in Newark, Delaware.

Requirements

B.S. Degree in Chemical Engineering (highly preferred), Chemistry or related technical discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience
Minimum of 7 years in a chemical manufacturing or processing facility (food, flavors, cosmetic, chemical, or pharmaceutical environment preferred) with a minimum of 10 years of progressive management experience in line or staff position
Experience in food/pharma manufacturing operations preferred
5+ years’ experience in an industrial setting in a learning, EH&S, Manufacturing, HR, Quality or work process related role preferred
Strong analytical, personal computer, organizational and leadership abilities
Strong communication skills (written, verbal, and listening) and interpersonal skills
Strong problem-solving ability
Expert knowledge of process technology and Avicel manufacturing preferred
Strong project management and communication skills
Ability to manage time, balance priorities, and manage conflict
Good analytical skills with demonstrated ability to consistently solve problems in a decisive and efficient manner
Computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets, graphics & database)
Good working knowledge and understanding of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems with working knowledge of SAP highly desirable
Lean Six Sigma experience a plus
Experience in heavy industrial or chemical technical applications
Experience managing in a Union environment a plus

Nice To Haves

MBA helpful but not required

Responsibilities

Serves as proactive member of Management Team by providing technical expertise, continuous improvement leadership, and identifying and acting upon cost saving opportunities
Actively participates on the Site Leadership team to set direction and optimize overall site productivity
Shows courageous leadership by coaching, asking questions, and intervening when needed. Challenges status quo and past norms to make the operation more safe and effective
Utilize process knowledge to drive performance with technical support teams
Interacts with other members of the leadership team, plant staff, and divisional cross-functional groups to optimize plant operations
Drive enforcement and continuous improvement of the Roquette Operating System for the site
Lead GEMBA program for leaders and managers
Ensure effective determination and implementation of operations corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
Lead and coordinate sitewide 5S activities
Ensure timely and effective execution of operations RCA investigations
Lead site efforts for productivity improvement plans and VCP (value creation plan)
Lead technical team to continuously improve plant OEE
Ensure operations department objectives are aligned with site and business direction
Improve operations efficiencies and develop and implement best practices
Ensure effective daily management of the Operations technical team, which includes technical staff, and resident contractors when applicable
Provide technical expertise to analyze and resolve recurring issues that impact plant uptime
Implement Lean concepts, improve equipment reliability, operations productivity and optimize overall asset life cycle costs
Lead team to provide technical support in order to plan department operations
Lead team to provide data needed for bill of materials, yield, OEE, and other key metrics
Create, review, manage and share sitewide KPI’s
Reviews production and operating reports and resolves operational, manufacturing, and maintenance problems to ensure minimum costs and prevent operational delay
Continuously works to improve the total cost of production (raw material, conversion cost and activity rate, etc.). May take a leadership role in maintaining the budget as delegated by the Site Leader
Develops strong partnerships with support functions such as EHS, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and others to drive improvement in the organization and assure alignment
Provide operational resources to support investments in projects that improves quality and capability to meet internal and external customer needs and corporate, group, division and site goals
Ensures the operation team is fully prepared for immediate response situations, including where technical resources might be needed to analyze process conditions and guide the response
Encourage identification and prevention of non-conformance to quality procedures and specifications
Ensure that investigations are conducted into any process deviations or non-conformances and develop and implement programs to prevent re-occurrence
Understand and anticipate customer needs and implement performance measurements responsive to such needs
Communicate continuous improvements in key measurements including on time delivery, product quality and process capability