Area Operations Manager

Airgas; Hattiesburg (MS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Airgas is seeking an Area Operations Manager to lead production facilities in the Alabama region, with potential base in Hattiesburg, MS or Atlanta, GA. You will guide Plant Managers, drive safety, efficiency, and cost performance, and partner with regional leaders to implement SOPs and training initiatives.

The role emphasizes strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage multiple facilities while maintaining clear communication with executives and operations teams.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of management experience.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Willingness to travel ~60% and be away overnight as needed.

Responsibilities

• Guide Plant Managers and leaders to achieve Area and Regional goals.
• Develop training and motivate teams to align with policies.
• Coordinate multiple Plant Managers and oversee production facilities.
• Analyze KPIs, labor, overtime, fulfillment, and costs to identify trends.
• Improve operations to meet customer needs and cost benchmarks.
• Collaborate with Safety leadership to promote a culture of safety.

Skills

Leadership

Management

Strategic thinking

Communication

Travel availability

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

SAP

Power BI

Job description

At Airgas, we RESPECT, HONOR and VALUE diversity.

Airgas is Hiring for an Area Operations Manager in the Alabama Area! Could also be based in Hattiesburg, MS or Atlanta, GA!

We are looking for you!

• 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
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 am to 4:30 pm
• Salary Range will be based on experience

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.

Job Duties:

• 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 process

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
• Experience in DOT qualifications, accident reporting along with safety and compliance.