Area Operations Manager

US11345-AIRGAS Airgas USA, LLC; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Referral bonus

Full benefits package (medical, dental

401(k) with company match

Tuition assistance

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Airgas USA, LLC is hiring an Area Operations Manager in Birmingham, AL. This role leads Plant Managers and teams to deliver safe, cost-efficient operations and strong customer service.

You will drive programs across maintenance, fulfillment, and cost controls while coordinating with regional leaders. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of management experience, strong leadership, and comfort with traveling up to 60% of the time.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years management experience.
• Must have strong leadership skills.
• U.S. employment authorization without visa sponsorship now or in the future.
• Agility to thrive in a fast-paced market.
• Knowledge of ROI, P&L statements, balance sheets and margins.
• Willingness to travel 60% with occasional overnight stays.

Responsibilities

• Lead Plant Managers and associates to meet day-to-day operations, safety, and budgeting goals.
• Identify programs to improve customer experience, efficiency and cost across the cylinder supply chain.
• Collaborate with regional/divisional leaders and SMEs to implement training initiatives.
• Guide facilities to achieve Area and Regional performance targets and cost benchmarks.
• Develop and revise SOPs; promote safety policies and compliance (OSHA, DOT, EPA, etc.).
• Communicate progress and opportunities across the district with leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Time management

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

Tools

SAP

Power BI

Forklift experience

Job description

R10097048 Area Operations Manager (Open) Location: Birmingham, AL (LLC Support) - Management

How will you CONTRIBUTE and GROW?

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the unique perspectives of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders, and cultures across the world. We believe that a variety of backgrounds makes our team stronger and more innovative. At Airgas, we RESPECT, HONOR and VALUE diversity. Airgas is Hiring for an Area Operations Manager in Birmingham, AL! We are looking for you!

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday am-pm

Benefits

• Referral Bonus
• Comprehensive Family Benefits: Airgas offers a full benefits package designed to support your whole life, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance.
• Support for Parents: We offer a 14-week paid child birth benefit to support growing families.
• Future Security: 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match, Tuition Assistance, Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick time.
• Early Access: Your benefits start after just 30 days of employment

Area Operations Manager (AOM)

• The Area Operations Manager (AOM) is a dynamic, collaborative leadership role dedicated to inspiring and guiding our Plant Managers and associates in achieving exceptional results in day-to-day operations, maintenance, safety, compliance, capital expenditures, and budgeting within a defined area.
• The AOM actively identifies and advances operational programs and excellent practices that enhance the customer experience, improve efficiencies, and optimize costs across the cylinder supply chain.
• This role collaborates effectively with regional and divisional leaders, subject matter experts (SMEs), and peers to identify and implement training and development initiatives that support our plants in meeting established performance metrics.
• Guide leadership to production facilities within the assigned area, supporting Plant Managers in achieving Area and Regional performance goals.
• Cultivate training, development, and motivate teams to support alignment with company policies.
• Support and coordinate multiple Plant Managers.
• Analyze key performance indicators, labor plans, overtime, fulfillment, and other data to proactively identify trends and adjust strategies related to fulfillment and cost benchmarks.
• Collaborate with production facilities to advance efficient and cost-effective operations that align with customer product needs and nurture a seamless customer experience.
• Ideally, you bring a thoughtful approach to building alignment through operational, manufacturing, supply chain path, and maintenance challenges to maximize cost efficiencies.
• Maintain transparent, proactive communication with the VP of Operations, sharing progress, challenges, opportunities, and improvements affecting the business.
• Foster consistent, effective, and frequent communication within the area, articulating the "why" behind initiatives.
• Conduct regular facility visits to guide performance, safety, compliance, and training improvements.
• Partner with Regional and Division Safety leadership to promote a culture of safety and encourage adherence to safety policies and procedures.
• Guide the Airgas Incident Review Committee and support safety improvement plans.
• Collaborate with the Cylinder Asset Manager and Plant Managers to maintain proper cylinder supply.
• Coordinate equipment bidding and project management, supporting vendor compliance and capital expenditure budget development.
• Develop, implement, and revise standard operational practices (SOPs) as needed and share excellent practices.
• Support compliance with OSHA, DOT, EPA, FDA, DHS, and state regulations, as well as Airgas policies.
• Guide and support initiatives across the region, such as plant efficiency audits, Industrial Gas Manual audits, 5S programs, and continuous improvement projects.
• Foster consistent, transparent, and effective communication throughout the District, emphasizing safety and environmental objectives at all Airgas facilities.
• Foster teamwork and an employee-focused environment to inspire associates and promote high retention rates.

Are you a MATCH?

Required Qualifications:

• At least 5 years management experience
• Must have strong leadership skills.
• Candidates must have valid employment authorization in the U.S. and must not require visa sponsorship now or in the future.
• This position is not open for non-immigrant visa sponsorship.
• Agility and resilience to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving market and business landscape.
• Strong critical thinking skills to analyze inventory, fulfillment, supply chain and distribution impacts and implement effective operational strategies.
• In-depth knowledge of industry, business, and accounting concepts, including ROI, P&L statements, balance sheets, and margin responsibilities.
• Must be self motivated and have strong time management skills.
• Strong project management abilities.
• Ability to deliver clear and engaging oral and written presentations to all levels of management.
• Availability to travel 60 percent of the time with the occasional overnight stay.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience
• Experience in the packaged gas industry
• Experience in capital project management
• Prior SAP and Power BI experience
• Prior forklift experience
• Experience in DOT qualifications, accident reporting along with safety and compliance.

Benefits (Extra Benefits)

• We care about and support our Airgas Families. This is evident not only through our competitive compensation but also through a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision plans, short-term and long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), pre-tax commuter transportation benefit, parental leave, vacation, sick time, floating holidays, jury duty and funeral/bereavement leave, and paid holidays for all eligible full-time employees.
• Additionally, we offer our eligible employees a 401k plan with company matching funds, tuition reimbursement, discounted college tuition for eligible employees’ dependents, and an Airgas Scholarship Program for dependent children.
• Associates who are members of collective bargaining units should review their bargaining agreement to determine whether they are eligible for some or all of the benefits described here and to see any special terms or conditions for eligibility.

Your DIFFERENCES enhance our PERFORMANCE

We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability or any other protected characteristic.

About Airgas

Airgas, an Air Liquide company, is a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and related products; one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products; and a leading U.S. supplier of ammonia products and process chemicals. Through the passion and diversity of its 18,000 associates, Airgas fosters a culture of safety, customer success, sustainability and innovation. Airgas associates are empowered to share ideas, take initiative and make decisions. Airgas is a subsidiary of Air Liquide, a world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare. Present in 60 countries with approximately 66,500 employees, Air Liquide serves more than 4 million customers and patients.

Join us for a stimulating experience: At Airgas, you matter and so does the work you do. As a member of our team, you play an important role in the success of your team, making sure our products are created sustainably and delivered safely and efficiently. In turn, you’ll find a welcoming workplace where you’re valued for who you are and where you can fill your potential while growing a fulfilling career — whatever path you choose.

Equal Employment Opportunity Information

We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Airgas, an Air Liquide Company is a Government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Airgas does not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities, and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to the known disabilities of such individuals so as to ensure equal access to benefits and privileges of employment.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us by email at [e-mail].