Operations Manager

Brenntag Group; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Brenntag Group is seeking an Operations Manager to lead daily chemical distribution facility operations, ensuring safe and compliant execution of warehouse, transportation and material-handling activities. The role is hands-on and requires active participation alongside staff to address day-to-day operational needs.

Responsibilities include budgeting, safety and process improvements, and leading a high-performing team to meet customer demand with strong safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Experience leading operations teams in an industrial/chemical environment.
• Strong track record implementing safety and quality initiatives.
• Experience developing and managing budgets and controlling operating costs.

Responsibilities

• Manage operations facilities, assets and personnel safely and efficiently while conforming to policies, programs and budgets.
• Develop annual expense and capital budgets and manage activities to control costs.
• Lead safety, quality investigations and audits; drive plant-wide safety KPI participation.
• Train and mentor operations staff, lead plant meetings and drive engagement.
• Oversee production scheduling and cross-training to cover critical roles.

Skills

Operations leadership

Budgeting & cost control

Safety & quality programs

Job description

Your Role & Responsibilities

The Operations Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing daily operations within the chemical distribution facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant execution of warehouse, transportation, and material-handling activities. This is a hands-on working manager role that requires active presence and participation in warehouse and operational activities, including regularly working alongside employees and responding directly to day-to-day operational needs.

Responsibilities

Production:

• Manage the operations facilities, assets, and personnel, ensuring that all operational activities are conducted safely, efficiently and effectively while ensuring conformance with all Corporate and local policies, programs, legislation and budgets.
• Assist production departments and, if necessary, assume direct supervision of one or more departments.
• Develop annual expense and capital budget and manage operational activities to control expenses incurred by operations in accordance with the operations budget expectations.
• Development of process descriptions and subsequent training requirements.
• Assist in setting priorities and production schedules based on safety issues, customer needs, equipment failures, and other operational challenges.
• Aggressively pursue efficiency improvements.
• Manage operational activities to meet inventory and customer demand requirements.
• Develop and implement operating procedures which improve safety, improve product quality, and/or eliminate operational challenges.
• Develop and maintain a positive work environment by actively driving employee initiatives aimed at enhancing engagement and satisfaction.
• Develop redundancy through cross training within production departments. Manage personnel and assign manpower to the greatest need.
• Assist/lead in driving Capital projects from inception to completion.

Quality/Safety:

• Immediately report all conditions that either could have/or result in safety, quality, and environmental incidents.
• Identify and recommend changes or improvements, where appropriate, that enhance quality, health, safety, and the efficiency of processes.
• Inspect and verify the satisfactory performance of facilities, equipment, and processes.
• Participate in quality/customer service meetings, assist in project development, drive assigned projects to completion.
• Lead/participate in investigations. Ensure assignments for production and the lab investigations are completed in a timely manner.
• Participate in monthly safety meetings and inspections.
• Drive plant-wide participation in and value-creation through the safety KPI program.
• Emphasize housekeeping to improve safety.
• Monitor and coordinate disposition of waste and nonconforming material.
• Manage and enforce production and safety standards.

Other Functions:

• Review and approve plant invoices.
• Participate in customer and regulatory audits.
• Lead/participate in customer plant visits.

Training:

• Lead/assist operations manager with plant wide meetings.
• Train operations personnel and ensure maintenance of training records.

Leadership:

• Leads and inspires a high performing Operations Team that supports Brenntag's Core Values and the Brenntag Way execution for business conduct and compliance.
• Lead by example / be a "servant leader".
• Coach, guide, and develop direct reports. Hold all reports accountable for performance and safety.
• Mentor direct reports.
• Execute performance reviews.
• Discuss and support pursuit of career progression.
• Advise operations manager on administration of discipline and issue disciplinary warnings when necessary.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to regularly walk, stand, bend, stoop, climb stairs and ladders, and move throughout an industrial/chemical distribution facility.
• Ability to work in both office and operational environments, including warehouses, loading/unloading areas, rail/truck loading areas, and outdoor work areas.
• Ability to wear and properly use required personal protective equipment (PPE), which may include safety glasses, hard hat, safety footwear, gloves, hearing protection, and respiratory protection as required.
• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds .
• Ability to safely inspect, access, and oversee equipment, storage areas, loading areas, and chemical handling operations.
• Ability to work around chemical products, including exposure to odors, dust, fumes, temperature variations, and other conditions typical of an industrial chemical distribution environment, while following all applicable safety procedures.
• Ability to remain on one's feet and actively move throughout the operation for extended periods while supervising employees and responding to operational needs.
• Ability to respond promptly to operational or safety situations, including walking to various areas of the facility and climbing stairs or ladders when necessary.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions when operational needs require