Manager, Operations

The Manager, Operations is responsible for providing operational leadership to ensure commercial execution. This role is accountable for the safe fulfillment of production needs in accordance with GMP policies and plant SOPs. Additionally, they are responsible for the leadership, training and development, scheduling, inventory management, process system and equipment reliability within production areas.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Operate safely and appropriately in all AgCertain situations and environments

• Display a dedication to lead, participate, and support ongoing safety including values based on safety efforts

• Demonstrate a detailed understanding of glycerin and oil production processes

• Train and instruct employees on production related process procedures

• Have a thorough understanding of and be able to apply Occupational Safety and Good Manufacturing Practices to procedures within the plant and understand how they affect the production process

• Follow all written procedures (SOPs) and work instructions that pertain to the respective areas, including the production of glycerin and oil, maintenance of equipment, and sanitation of equipment/production areas

• Complete all required documentation accurately and in a timely manner

• Assist with writing and revising controlled documents such as SOPs, work instructions, and associated forms

• Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives while implementing new solutions and streamlining workflows to boost efficiency and reduce costs

• Apply engineering principles to troubleshoot deficiencies, reduce waste, improve production efficiency, and improve product quality

• Manage and coordinate Management of Change projects for the plant including completion and delegation of process information updates, SOP creation or updates, operator training, process control updates, equipment design updates, etc.

• Assist the Team Leader, Maintenance with directing and overseeing the preventative maintenance program; verify that all required preventative maintenance is completed appropriately for all equipment

• Attend and provide input at capital project design and coordination meetings

• Support commissioning efforts through installation, operational qualification, and process qualification stages

• Develop an in-depth understanding of assigned utility system(s) to create a system overview training document, perform as built changes to drawings, create LOTO procedure(s) and create preventative maintenance and reliability strategy documents or procedures

• Create maintenance work order requests for equipment repairs, deficiencies or identified improvement opportunities

• Be an active member of the Crisis Management Team, Recall Team, and Food Safety Team with a working understanding of the food safety and quality systems (HACCP, GMP, and SQF) to ensure product quality

• Participate in all company trainings

• Perform additional duties as assigned

• A bachelor’s degree in an Engineering field; Master of Business Administration (MBA) preferred

• Minimum five (5) years industry experience with a management role

• Prior experience in a biodiesel, ethanol, food processing plant or manufacturing facility preferred

• Physical abilities to include the ability to lift 50 lbs (23 Kg), manage varying temperatures, climb several flights of stairs and not affected by heights

• Proven leadership skills and experience managing a team

• Possess a mechanical aptitude for operating and maintaining pumps, motors, valves, heat exchangers, heaters and other processing equipment

• Must be able to operate heavy equipment (electric forklift, diesel telehandler forklift, etc.) once trained

• Excellent communication, organizational, management, and computer skills

• Ability to interact professionally and effectively with internal and external customers

• Act with integrity, candor, excellence, curiosity, honesty, and a commitment to safety

• Abide by Good Manufacturing Practices in all areas of the facility