Operations Manager

Ashland Specialty Ingredients, GP; Hopewell (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ashland Specialty Ingredients, GP in Hopewell, VA is seeking an Operations Manager to join the site leadership team and report to the Plant Manager. You will oversee manufacturing operations for a >150‑employee site, drive safety, regulatory compliance, and profitability, and lead cross‑functional teams to meet strategic goals.

The role emphasizes hands‑on leadership, continuous improvement, and strong collaboration with support groups to ensure on‑time delivery and high quality across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required.
• Minimum 15 years of manufacturing experience, including site leadership for 150+ employees.
• Knowledge of PSM, reaction, distillation, powder handling and high‑hazard chemicals.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional teams and drive results.
• Experience with OSHA, EPA, FDA regulations and global reporting.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe work environment and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Develop and manage the site budget and production plan.
• Create and execute a strategic site plan aligned to company goals.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and profitability.
• Collaborate with support organizations to resolve production and quality issues.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Hands-on management

Continuous improvement

Team development

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Job description

Ashland Specialty Ingredients, GP Ashland has an exciting opportunity for an Operations Manager to join our Life Sciences business at our Hopewell, VA location. This is a very visible, significant role within the Company. This position will be on the site leadership team and report to the Plant Manager.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining a safe work environment for all site employees and visitors while complying with all local, state, and federal safety and environmental regulations and company guidelines.
• Develop and manage financial budget and production plan for site operations to meet business objectives.
• Developing and implementing a strategic plan for the site, balancing its immediate needs with the company’s long-term goals.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and facilitate the implementation of initiatives to improve the site’s profitability.
• Working closely with support organizations to resolve production issues, quality issues, improve efficiency, respond to customer complaints, and support on-time deliveries of finished goods.
• Modeling positive leadership through open and effective communication, motivation, example setting, and best practices.
• Supporting a positive team environment in which members participate, respect, and cooperate with each other to achieve desired results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of manufacturing experience (preferably in chemical manufacturing), including vast operations management experience and ability to manage a site of >150 employees and contractors.
• Strong knowledge of PSM programs, reaction, distillation, powder handling, and handling of high-hazard chemicals.
• Ability to lead, influence, build, and develop a cross-functional team across various skill sets.
• Proven self-starter with urgency to deliver results.
• Ability to have a hands-on approach.
• Proven management experience and experience in managing collective bargaining unit employees.
• Experience working within and complying with all governmental regulations (OSHA, EPA, FDA, etc.) and reporting requirements globally as required.

Preferred Skill Sets

• Knowledge of FDA cGMP operations requirements, safety programs, and environmental regulations.
• Previous cellulose manufacturing experience.
• Experience in project engineering and deployment of capital projects.
• Six Sigma, Lean, or relevant continuous improvement experience.

In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland LLC. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, personal care and pharmaceutical.

Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer.

At Ashland our vision is to be a leading, global specialty chemicals company whose inspired and engaged employees add value to all we touch. In fact our people, employees, customers and vendors define who we are. They are the driving force behind everything we do. Not only do we value our customers but we value our employees, and we work to offer them a dynamic and challenging environment. We hold ourselves to high standards at Ashland, and we value integrity and honesty. Ashland has a history of attracting the best people and keeping them. The reasons are simple: industry competitive salary and benefits, pay-for-performance incentive plans and a diverse work environment where employees feel challenged and valued. People come to Ashland and stay. As a growing Fortune 500 specialty chemicals company, we offer opportunities for development and advancement throughout our global organization. Our values define who we are and what we care about as a company. If you are looking for a relationship with a company instead of simply a job, this may be a great fit.

Ashland is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Infinite possibilities Creating good chemistry isn't just about what happens when you add the right ingredients together. It's about what happens when the right people are one of the ingredients. Good chemistry - the kind that can transform a market or a world - is what makes Ashland different and what makes us better.

If you're passionate about the infinite possibilities created through good chemistry, we have a rewarding and challenging opportunity for you to help us make great things happen every day for our customers, our communities, our investors and our colleagues around the world.