Lead Chemical Operator

Quaker Houghton; MIDDLETOWN (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

$1,500 Sign on Bonus

Company Provided Uniforms

Competitive bi-weekly pay

Generous annual paid time off

401 (k) employer match

Health care, dental and vision benefits

Tuition Reimbursement

On-the-job Training

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

A leading manufacturing company in Middletown, Ohio, seeks a Lead Operator to oversee daily production operations. The role involves directing personnel, ensuring product quality, and maintaining safety standards. Candidates should have a high school diploma and 3-5 years of relevant experience in a manufacturing environment. This position offers a competitive bi-weekly salary, a sign-on bonus, and various employee benefits including healthcare and tuition reimbursement.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of relevant satisfactory plant performance.
• Must meet all Chemical Operator II or greater competencies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of manufacturing equipment and processes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily manufacturing operations and direct production personnel.
• Ensure product and process quality, adherence to safety standards.
• Promote and enforce a strong safety culture.
• Prepare, fill, label, palletize, and wrap containers per batch tickets; complete work orders in JDE.
• Maintain batch documentation, calculate yields, and take corrective actions.

Skills

Ability to lead co-workers

Solid decision-making ability

High level of initiative and responsibility

Demonstrated commitment to organizational goals

Quality focus

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Under the guidance of the Production Supervisor or Site Manager, the Lead Operator plays a key role in overseeing daily manufacturing operations at the site. This position directs production personnel in executing daily tasks and assignments, making informed decisions related to production scheduling and prioritization. The Lead Operator serves as a backup to the Production Supervisor. This role ensures consistent product and process quality, adherence to environmental, health, and safety standards, and compliance with all manufacturing procedures.

• Coordinate and supervise daily production activities, ensuring alignment with production schedules and priorities. Provide hands‑on training to team members in production processes and the safe handling of materials. Promote and enforce a strong safety culture by ensuring proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to all plant safety policies. Recommend and implement process improvements based on operational experience, historical data, and testing outcomes. Monitor employee performance, providing feedback, recognition, and recommendations for corrective actions as needed. Act as a liaison between plant personnel and management; participate in management meetings and contribute to operational planning.
• Operate production equipment in accordance with training and standard operating procedures to ensure safety and product quality.
• Prepare mixing vessels, pumps, and hoses for unloading; inspect containers for cleanliness and integrity before filling.
• Operate process control systems including PLCs, mass flow meters, pumps, and scales.
• Accurately fill, label, palletize, and wrap containers per batch tickets, pick tickets, or export order sheets; complete work orders in JDE.
• Maintain thorough and accurate batch documentation; calculate yields and take appropriate corrective actions.
• Manage inventory staging and storage for production and shipping; assist with inventory tracking, counts, and JDE transactions.
• Load and unload trucks, tankers, and railcars using appropriate material handling equipment.
• Oversee shipping responsibilities, including receiving POs, processing shipments in JDE, coordinating with the OTC group, and preparing UPS/FedEx shipments.
• Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) across all manufacturing areas.
• Lead or participate in special projects and safety initiatives; maintain certifications and complete hazard response training.
• Ensure a clean, organized, and compliant work environment; respond promptly to spills or leaks with proper containment and cleanup procedures.
• Operate forklifts and other motorized vehicles safely and proficiently.
• Hold team members accountable for safety and quality standards; actively participate in the site safety committee.
• Support investigations and resolutions of customer complaints.
• Perform other duties as assigned; responsibilities may vary by location.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / EHS RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Will work in a manufacturing environment and may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles or caustic chemicals. The associate is exposed to trip and slip hazards. The noise level in the manufacturing environment is moderately noisy.
• Ability to lift bags and other containers up to 50 pounds in a safe manner as directed. Ability to move drums up to 500 pounds with mechanical equipment in a safe manner as directed. May be required to stand for long periods and walk great distances daily. May be required to work in small spaces and high locations.

Key Education or Certification Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Required Minimum Number of Years of Relevant Experience:
• Must meet all Chemical Operator II or greater competencies and qualifications. Proficiency blending areas required to qualify as a Lead Chemical Operator will vary by location.
• 3-5 years of relevant satisfactory plant performance.
• Must have demonstrated knowledge of manufacturing equipment and processes.
• Proficiency in blending required.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to lead co-workers.
• Demonstrated commitment to organizational goals and objectives.
• High level of initiative and responsibility.
• Ability to write clearly with proficiency in computer applications.
• Solid decision-making ability.
• Consistent achievement of defined controllable “right first time” goals.

What's in it for you?

• $1,500 Sign on Bonus
• Company Provided Uniforms
• Competitive bi-weekly pay
• Generous annualpaid time off.
• 401 (k) employer match.
• Health care, dental and vision benefits.
• Employees can receive up to a $1,000 bonus by referring a friend to join the company.
• Safety is a top priority at Quaker Houghton. All operators receive extensive on-the-job training during the first 3 months of employment.
• Tuition Reimbursement