Operations Manager

CDP Solutions; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 130,000 - 145,000; Full time

Job summary

CDP Solutions LLC in Buffalo, NY seeks an experienced Operations Manager to lead a plant section, directing production operations, driving continuous improvement, and championing a zero-incident safety culture.

You will oversee production supervisors, chemical operators, and technical staff, ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations while achieving throughput, quality, and cost targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering or closely related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of progressive operational and leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily production operations and manage schedules, targets, on-time delivery, and quality specifications.
• Lead EHS compliance, incident investigations, RCA, and hazard analyses to drive corrective actions.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives across the plant to reduce bottlenecks.
• Champion digital transformation with real-time data analytics, SPC, and automation to stabilize processes.

Skills

Leadership

Safety culture

Process improvement

Data analytics

Lean Six Sigma

Cross-functional teamwork

People management

Education

B.S. in Chemical Eng

Tools

DCS/PLC historian

SPC

Job description

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

1. 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.
• 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.

3. 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.
• 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 $130,000 - $145,000

Bonus $15,000 - $25,000

Total Compensation $145,000 - $170,000

Relocation assistance provided to the Buffalo, NY Market