Sr. Area Operations Manager

Airgas • Atlanta, GA

97d

About The Position

Airgas is Hiring for a Sr. Area Operations Manager (SAOM) in Atlanta, GA! The Sr. Area Operations Manager (SAOM) provides advanced operational leadership, direction, and communication to ensure efficient and effective daily operations. This role focuses on compliance, governance, dashboard efficiency, cost reduction, complex maintenance, safety culture, strategic capital expenditures, and daily continuous improvement in all operational activities. They contribute to budget development, manage operational activities to meet targets, and champion safety and compliance. The SAOM identifies and implements advanced operational excellence strategies to enhance customer experience, maximize efficiencies, and minimize costs across the cylinder supply chain. This position requires collaboration with senior leaders, SMEs, and peers for training and development. The SAOM ensures plants meet advanced dashboard metrics, maintain compliance, achieve safety goals, and implement best-in-class manufacturing practices, dedicating significant time to strategic initiatives for continuous improvement in cylinder fill plant operations. Consistently meets internal and external customer needs by supporting established goals and execution of quality and delivery standards for products and services within the assigned area. Manages Area Operations Managers and their teams. Builds a culture of safety, engagement, ownership, and collaboration, aligned with company policy. Responsible for training, motivating, directing work, managing performance, and resolving associate issues in partnership with the Area Operations Managers. Aims to achieve or exceed performance targets. Contributes to the development of capital expenditure budgets and coordinates capital expenditures within the area once proper approvals have been received. Works with the region Safety management team to coordinate procedures required for compliance with Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Transportation (DOT), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), state regulations, and company Policies & Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Supports the Area Operations Managers in the review of production orders and schedules to obtain product data such as types, quantities, specifications of products, and scheduled delivery dates to plan efficient and cost-effective operations that meet customers' product needs and customer satisfaction. Resolves operational, manufacturing, and maintenance problems within the area to ensure minimum costs and delays. Implements and revises, as needed, standard operational practices within the assigned area. Partner with the Human Resources management team to effectively resolve employee relations issues. Provides training and equipment to all Operations employees within the area to safely, properly, and efficiently perform their jobs. Leads by example, positively promoting safety. Manages the safety and health of employees by complying with all internal policies and procedures and applicable government regulations. Utilizes data such as performance metrics and dashboard reports to identify opportunities with efficiencies, operations, cylinder and product movement and availability, and staffing; drives actions for improved performance. Conduct monthly site visits with Area Operations Managers (AOMs) to provide guidance and recommendations on performance, safety, compliance, audits, and training gaps.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in Business, Engineering, Operations or related field required.
• In lieu of degree, up to 4 years of additional relevant experience may be accepted plus high school diploma or GED required.
• 7+ years of increasing leadership responsibility in production or operations.
• Preference for prior packaged gases industry experience.
• Experience in developing operations strategies and managing a budget.
• Experience driving a safety culture.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of compliance with federal/state regulations (OSHA, EPA, DOT, FDA).
• Strong leadership, motivational, and project management skills.
• Financial acumen for developing and articulating metrics.
• Strong understanding of contracts and legal terminology.
• Proficient with Google suite applications and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced operational leadership and direction.
• Ensure efficient and effective daily operations.
• Focus on compliance, governance, and cost reduction.
• Champion safety and compliance.
• Identify and implement operational excellence strategies.
• Manage operational activities to meet targets.
• Collaborate with senior leaders and peers for training and development.
• Ensure plants meet advanced dashboard metrics and safety goals.
• Manage Area Operations Managers and their teams.
• Build a culture of safety, engagement, and collaboration.
• Contribute to the development of capital expenditure budgets.
• Coordinate capital expenditures within the area.
• Work with the Safety management team for compliance.
• Support Area Operations Managers in reviewing production orders.
• Resolve operational, manufacturing, and maintenance problems.
• Implement and revise standard operational practices.
• Partner with HR to resolve employee relations issues.
• Provide training and equipment to Operations employees.
• Utilize performance metrics to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Conduct monthly site visits with Area Operations Managers.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Vacation, sick time, floating holidays, and paid holidays for full-time employees.
• Progressive parental leave package.
• 401k plan with company matching funds.
• Tuition reimbursement and discounted college tuition for employees' dependents.
• Airgas Scholarship Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree