- Salary
- $140k – $165k
- Location
- Buffalo
- Type
- Full-time
- Department
- Operations
- Seniority
- Manager
- Education
- Bachelor
- Source
- PCRecruiter
Description
Operations Manager
Location: Buffalo, NY
Department: Operations / Plant Management
Reports to: Plant Manager
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced, results-driven Operations Manager to lead a section within the manufacturing plant in Buffalo, NY. In this critical leadership role, you will direct daily production operations, drive continuous improvement, and champion a zero-incident safety culture. You will oversee production supervisors, chemical operators, and technical personnel, ensuring strict compliance with federal, state, and local environmental and safety regulations.
Key Responsibilities
- Safety, Health, & Environmental Compliance (EHS)
- Direct and enforce all plant safety policies, acting as a steward for Process Safety Management (PSM) compliance.
- Lead incident investigations, root cause analyses (RCA), and hazard operability studies (HAZOP) to drive corrective and preventative actions.
- Foster a proactive safety culture where safety observations, near-miss reporting, and safety audits are prioritized by all shift teams.
- Production Operations & Plant Performance
- Manage a department within the manufacturing plant focused around production schedules, volume targets, on-time delivery metrics, and quality specifications.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs)—including Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), first-pass yield, cycle times, scrap/waste reduction, and utility consumption.
- Coordinate closely with Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality Assurance to minimize unplanned downtime, prioritize equipment overhauls, and streamline changeover procedures.
- Manage operational budgets, control labor and material variance, and drive cost-reduction initiatives without compromising safety or product integrity.
- Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
- Drive Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives (5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping) across the plant floor to optimize throughput and eliminate process bottlenecks.
- Champion digital transformation and automation initiatives, utilizing real-time data analytics, DCS/PLC historian data, and statistical process control (SPC) to track and stabilize chemical reactions and blending processes.
- Lead cross-functional capital project execution, partnering with process engineers to commission new equipment, scale up production lines, and modernize aging infrastructure.
- Team Leadership & Talent Development
- Lead, mentor, and evaluate a team of production supervisors, shift operators, and technicians.
- Oversee workforce planning, hiring, comprehensive training programs, and competency matrices to ensure multi-shift coverage and operator technical proficiency.
- Partner with HR and plant leadership to manage labor relations, enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs), and build a culture of accountability and professional growth.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related technical discipline.
- Experience:
- Minimum of 3 to 5 years of progressive operational and leadership experience.
Base Salary $140,000 - $165,000
Bonus $21,000 - $25,000
Total Compensation $161,000 - $190,000
Relocation assistance provided to the Buffalo, NY Market
Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Retirement, PTO, etc..