Manufacturing Operations Manager

Corbion; Blair (NE); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Corbion is seeking a Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead the Blair, Nebraska facility. The role oversees day and overnight production, drives Lean process improvements, and manages budgets and KPIs to meet production goals.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's in Engineering and 8+ years of manufacturing leadership, with a proven track record in change management and team development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or similar field required.
• At least 8+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Proven Lean management experience and cost budgeting skills.
• Experience with change management and plant optimization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the plant's day and overnight operations and supervise managers and supervisors.
• Direct strategic development and operational direction for lactic acid production and derivatives.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, OSHA, and company policies.
• Oversee budgeting, financial performance, and cost control across the plant.
• Develop and monitor Operations KPIs aligned with business goals.
• Provide coaching, discipline, and performance guidance to the operations team.
• Coordinate hiring, staffing, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives including Lean efforts to boost efficiency.
• Serve on the plant leadership team and collaborate with other departments.

Skills

Leadership

Lean management

Budgeting

Change management

Strategic planning

Coaching & mentoring

Performance management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Job description

Manufacturing Operations Manager

Job Category: Operations and Production

Work Location: On‑Site

Office Location: Blair, NE, US

Job Type: Full Time

Job ID: 6219

At Corbion, we exist to champion preservation in all its forms, preserving food and food production, health, and our planet.

Corbion’s lactic acid and derivatives production facility in Blair, Nebraska is looking for a senior leader for production. In this role, you will manage the Assistant Operations Manager and Production Supervisors for day and overnight shifts and lead the strategic development and direction of lactic acid and derivatives production. The ideal candidate has experience with Lean process management, team leadership and managing fixed and variable cost budgets.

Essential Job Functions

• Ensure facility compliance for all Corbion, environmental, governmental and OSHA regulations and engage in maintaining an accident‑free facility
• Strategic planning, process development and overall manufacturing performance including quantity and quality in all product lines to align with Corbion's business objectives
• Manage fixed cost and variable cost budgets; contribute to annual budget planning and monitor monthly, quarterly, and annual financial performance against targets
• Provide strategic direction to Assistant Operations Manager; ensure cohesive execution of tactical operational plans, manage plant outages, crisis management and problem‑solving
• Ensure operations department has quality training content for skill advancement, regulatory compliance with auditing agencies, federal regulations, and company policies
• Develop and communicate annual Operations KPIs that are measurable, achievable, and emphasize production quality and efficiencies
• Foster an Operations culture that adheres to inter‑departmental communication with Safety, Maintenance, Quality and others to maintain Corbion's open door policy on communication and collaboration
• Ensure operations management team actively participates in team member's individual performance goals in alignment with production and growth goals. Coach them on leadership and people management, progressive discipline in accordance with Corbion policies, values and applicable federal, state or civil laws
• Supervise monthly, quarterly and annual hiring and retention tracking from Production Supervisors. Estimate staffing needs and monitor employee engagement and satisfaction, and areas of opportunity for sustaining staffing continuity
• Review and report on monthly production results to maintain alignment with Corbion's production goals and metrics
• Manage continuous improvement such as Lean efforts and pro‑actively respond to production problems and solutions, increasing production efficiencies
• Improve, identify and assist with quality discrepancy management
• Serve as a member of the plant's leadership team; work with other department leaders to ensure alignment and cohesion with Corbion goals to sustain collaborative progress of the plant

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Engineering or similar field of study
• 8+ years of progressive management responsibility in a manufacturing environment, ideally biorefining or chemical
• Demonstrated ability to manage operations/production
• Proven success building and leading a team, including coaching for performance, mentoring, and discipline
• Experience using Lean management processes
• Proven success setting and managing budgets
• Successful background of change management and plant optimization

Physical Demands

The work is performed mainly in the General Office Environment and Plant Operations Areas where PPE is required. Through the course of a typical shift, an individual in this position will perform the following activities:

• Sitting frequently in an office space
• Standing occasionally in the office or plant areas
• Walking frequently throughout the plant and outdoors between the facility’s buildings with exposure to outdoor temperatures
• Climbing stairs occasionally
• Kneeling, bending/stooping and reaching overhead
• Ability to lift up to twenty (20) pounds maximum on a frequent basis when working with large files, binders, computer equipment and shop equipment

Corbion is an equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse workplace. All applicants will be considered equally without regard to race, color, ethnicity, veteran status, religion, national origin, marital status, political affiliation, age, sex, sexual orientation, handicapping condition, membership in an organization or any other non‑merit factors.

Corbion provides reasonable accommodation to applicants.

EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled