Operations Manager - Burns Harbor

SMS Mill Services, LLC.; Burns Harbor (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) matching

Paid holidays

Paid vacation

Day 1 benefits

Job summary

SMS Mill Services, LLC in Burns Harbor, IN is seeking an Operations Manager to lead subcontractor operations at a major steel mill site. You will oversee daily activities, safety compliance, and field leadership in a high-risk environment, with accountability for union workers and cost control.

The role requires a strong manufacturing or heavy industry background, proven union-management experience, and the ability to drive safety and operational excellence in a dynamic, outdoor setting across

Qualifications

• Experience leading safety programs in high-risk industrial environments.
• Strong leadership and communications skills.
• Experience handling unionized workforces and labor relations.

Responsibilities

• Drive a safety-first culture and ensure OSHA compliance and policy adherence.
• Lead field operations with unionized workforce and maintain labor relations.
• Monitor daily activities to meet production, shipping and related targets.
• Direct and manage SMS Burns Harbor team reporting to Regional Operations Director.
• Prepare production schedules and daily/weekly/monthly performance reports.
• Coordinate maintenance schedules with maintenance team.
• Develop standard operating procedures for production operations.
• Oversee costs, payroll, and profitability of the production site.

Skills

Safety management

Leadership

Communication

Conflict resolution

Outdoor work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Industrial Management, or a related discipline

Job description

SMS Mill Services, LLC is a leader in the steel mill services industry prioritizing recycling and environmental/workers’ safety and handling all operations with integrity. SMS located inBurns Harbor, IN is seeking a highly skilled and safety-focused Operations Manager to serve as the site lead for subcontractor operations within a major steel mill (Cleveland Cliffs). This individual will oversee daily activities, ensure compliance with strict safety requirements, and provide strong leadership in a challenging industrial environment. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in manufacturing or heavy industry, experience managing unionized workforces, and the ability to lead with visibility in the field.

SMS provides a comprehensive range of services for steel mill customers. We partner with our customers to design custom, cost-effective solutions, which focus on adding value and achieving goals for the operation and the environment. Our range of services includes, but is not limited scrap yard management, finished or semi-finished product services, melt shop services, logistics/transportation support, and slag processing.

This position will direct, manage, coordinate and monitor daily activities of the entire SMS Burns Harbor team to achieve production, shipping and other related targets and goals. Thisposition will report to the Regional Operations Director.

Responsibilities:

• Drive a safety-first culture, ensuring all activities are performed in compliance with OSHA standards, site rules, and company safety policies.
• Oversee and enforce safe operations involving rail cars, heavy industrial machinery, and high-risk equipment.
• Maintain a strong presence in the field by observing, coaching, and correcting operations to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant performance.
• Lead and motivate a unionized workforce, fostering positive labor relations while ensuring accountability, productivity, and adherence to established procedures.
• Collaborate with mill leadership, subcontractor management, and safety teams to achieve operational objectives.
• Lead a production team and effectively manage costs and profitability (P&L) of dedicated production site to achieve optimal safety and productivity.
• Optimize resource utilization by implementation of an effective leadership group, including supervising and motivating the team of hourly and salary employees, as well as analyzing daily reports.
• Must have experience working with a unionized workforce and working with union contract related topics.
• Meet KPI’s to exceed efficiency and performance standards.
• Prepare daily, weekly, & monthly reports of all the production activities and respond to information requests from site, division, and corporate teams.
• In conjunction with maintenance, implement and manage a coordinated weekly planned and corrective maintenance schedule, ensuring reliable equipment is maintained to meet production targets and goals.
• Prepare production schedules for each project and weekly employee schedules to optimize performance.
• Monitor the production process, including equipment downtime and availability and adjust schedule as needed to
• manage headcounts and payroll expenses.
• Coordinate, set up and implement standard operating procedure for all production operations.
• Communicate clearly, including providing on-the-job training and assistance as needed.
• Implement and drive continuous improvement, including through change management.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including Environmental, Safety and Health guidelines and best practices, including mitigating risks associated with contractors and vendor insurance and indemnification.
• Ensure all expenses are submitted and authorized prior to any financial commitments and receipts of all goods and services are completed within the correct financial period.
• Comply with cost savings initiatives, identify, and recognize ways to reduce costs and enhance revenue, including treating any company expenses the same as you would if it was your own money.
• Function as part of the management team and align with core values to meet company policies and goals, escalating and reporting issues that require further assistance as appropriate.
• Plan, participate and actively contribute to internal and external business meetings as needed.
• Conduct daily production meetings to review the previous day’s performance, current day plan, needs for the next day, and any relevant projects, issues, etc.
• Walk the facilities daily to ensure follow-up on plans, verify execution, ensure conformance to standards, and monitor inventories.
• Treat employees, customers, suppliers, etc. professionally, respectfully, and courteously.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in safety management and working in high-risk environments with rail cars and heavy equipment.
• Strong leadership, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to perform effectively in a dirty, dusty, and physically demanding outdoor environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Industrial Management, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent work experience considered.

Competencies:

• Uncompromising commitment to safety.
• Hands-on, visible leadership style.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with diverse stakeholders.

What we can Offer:

• A comprehensive compensation package to commensurate with experience including bonuses
• Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, company-paid life insurance, etc. offered on day 1!
• 401(k) with 4% matching, 100% vested as of first contribution
• Paid holidays, 4 weeks paidvacation
• Work in a dynamic, collaborative, progressive, and high-performing team.
• Opportunities to grow and learn with the industry.

SMS Mill Services, LLC is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. SMS Mill Services, LLC makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.