Operations Manager

Columbia River Nitrogen LLC; Deer Island (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia River Nitrogen LLC in Oregon seeks an experienced Operations Leader to direct all plant manufacturing activities, driving safety, quality, and cost objectives while aligning with corporate goals.

You will oversee production planning, facility reliability, and cross-functional collaboration with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and EHS; implement Lean and Six Sigma to improve throughput.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
• 8–15 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Minimum 5 years in operations management within chemical or similar industries.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct all plant manufacturing operations to meet production, safety, quality, and cost objectives.
• Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with facility and corporate goals.
• Ensure reliable, efficient operation of production units and support systems.
• Monitor plant performance and implement corrective actions to achieve KPIs.
• Oversee daily production activities and optimize resource utilization.
• Foster safety culture and ensure regulatory compliance across sites.

Skills

Process safety leadership

OSHA/EPA compliance

Strong analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Lean Six Sigma

Budgeting and cost control

ERP systems proficiency

Production management software

Leadership and coaching

ISO management familiarity

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Production management software

Job description

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, or a related field required.
• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, or a related field required.
• Advanced degree preferred.

Experience

• 8–15 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Minimum of 5 years managing operations within a chemical, petrochemical, pulp and paper, industrial processing, or similar manufacturing environment (continuous manufacturing).

Experience With Process Safety Management (PSM) Programs Strongly Preferred.

• Experience working in a union environment

Skills

• Strong understanding of chemical manufacturing processes and industrial plant operations.
• Knowledge of OSHA, EPA, environmental regulations, and process safety requirements.
• Demonstrated leadership and team development capabilities.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience utilizing ERP systems and production management software.
• Strong financial and business acumen.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Familiarity with ISO management processes.

Operations Leadership

• Lead and direct all plant manufacturing operations to achieve production, safety, quality, and cost objectives.
• Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with facility and corporate goals.
• Ensure reliable and efficient operation of production units and support systems.
• Monitor plant performance and implement corrective actions to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs).

Production Management

• Oversee daily production activities and ensure adherence to established schedules.
• Maximize equipment utilization and operational efficiency.
• Manage production resources, staffing levels, and operational priorities.
• Identify and eliminate bottlenecks impacting production output.

Safety And Regulatory Compliance

• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, DEQ, PSM, RMP, and company standards.
• Ensure all operations are conducted in accordance with applicable environmental permits and regulations.
• Lead incident investigations and corrective action implementation.
• Support emergency response planning and operational readiness initiatives.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement programs focused on safety, throughput, cost reduction, quality, and reliability.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, or similar methodologies.
• Analyze production data to identify trends and opportunities for process optimization.
• Support technology improvements and process modernization initiatives.

Leadership And Employee Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and performance management for engineers, supervisors and operational personnel.
• Establish clear expectations and accountability throughout the organization.
• Foster a culture of employee engagement, teamwork, and continuous learning.
• Support workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development efforts.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, EHS, and Human Resources to achieve business objectives.
• Support capital projects, plant expansions, and major maintenance shutdowns.
• Participate in strategic planning and budget development activities.

Financial Management

• Manage operational budgets and control manufacturing costs.
• Monitor labor, utility, raw material, and maintenance expenditures.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability while maintaining safety and quality standards.
• Prepare operational reports and present performance metrics to leadership.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervises Production/Shipping Supervisors, Engineers, and other operations personnel as assigned.
• Responsible for employee performance management, disciplinary actions, hiring recommendations, and professional development.
• Ensures compliance with company policies and collective bargaining agreements