Area Operations Manager

Area Operations Manager

Airgas, an Air Liquide company, is a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and related products; one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products. Air Liquide is present in 78 countries with approximately 64,500 associates globally. Through the passion and diversity of its 18,000 associates, Airgas fosters a culture of safety, customer success, sustainability and innovation. Airgas associates are empowered to share ideas, take initiative and make decisions. The Area Operations Manager (AOM) is a dynamic leadership role responsible for inspiring and guiding our Plant Managers and associates in achieving excellence in day-to-day operations, maintenance, safety, compliance, capital expenditures, and budgeting within a defined area. The AOM actively identifies and promotes operational programs and best practices that enhance the customer experience, improve efficiencies, and optimize costs across the cylinder supply chain. This role collaborates effectively with regional and divisional leaders, subject matter experts (SMEs), and peers to identify and implement training and development initiatives that ensure our plants meet established performance metrics.

1. Leadership and Team Development

• Provide leadership to production facilities within the assigned area, supporting Plant Managers in achieving Area and Regional performance targets.
• Lead training, development, and motivate teams to ensure alignment with company policies.
• Oversee and provide direct support to multiple Plant Managers.

2. Operational Excellence

• Analyze key performance indicators, labor plans, overtime, fulfillment, and other data to proactively identify trends and adjust strategies related to fulfillment and cost expectations.
• Collaborate with production facilities to ensure efficient and cost-effective operations that align with customer product needs and ensure a seamless customer experience.
• Utilize critical thinking to resolve operational, manufacturing, supply chain path and maintenance challenges and maximize cost efficiencies.

3. Communication and Collaboration

• Maintain transparent, proactive communication with the VP of Operations, sharing progress, challenges, opportunities, and improvements affecting the business.
• Drive consistent, effective, and frequent communication within the area, articulating the "why" behind initiatives.

4. Safety and Compliance

• Conduct regular facility visits to guide performance, safety, compliance, and training improvements.
• Partner with Regional and Division Safety leadership to promote a culture of safety and ensure adherence to safety policies and procedures.
• Lead the Airgas Incident Review Committee and support safety improvement plans.

5. Asset Management and Capital Expenditures

• Collaborate with the Cylinder Asset Manager and Plant Managers to maintain proper cylinder supply.
• Lead equipment bidding and project management, ensuring vendor compliance and supporting capital expenditure budget development.

6. Standard Operational Practices and Compliance

• Develop, implement, and revise standard operational practices (SOPs) as needed and share best practices.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, DOT, EPA, FDA, DHS, and state regulations, as well as Airgas policies.

7. Regional Initiatives

• Lead and support initiatives across the region, such as plant efficiency audits, Industrial Gas Manual audits, 5S programs, and continuous improvement projects.

8. District Leadership and Safety

• Drive consistent, transparent, and effective communication throughout the District, emphasizing safety and environmental objectives at all Airgas facilities.
• Foster teamwork and an employee-focused environment to inspire associates and promote high retention rates.

Are you a Match?

• Exceptional leadership and motivational skills with a talent for coaching and innovation.
• Agility and resilience to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving market and business landscape.
• Strong critical thinking skills to analyze inventory, fulfillment, supply chain and distribution impacts and implement effective operational strategies.
• In-depth knowledge of industry, business, and accounting concepts, including ROI, P&L statements, balance sheets, and margin responsibilities.
• Grit and a change-oriented mindset with a sense of urgency.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to influence and align cross-functional teams.
• Strong project management abilities.
• Ability to make impactful oral and written presentations to all levels of management.
• Demonstrated tact, diplomacy, and discretion when handling internal and external customer interactions and sensitive information.

We care about and support our Airgas Families. This is evident not only through our competitive compensation but also through a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision plans, vacation, sick time, floating holidays, and paid holidays for full-time employees. We provide a progressive parental leave package for our eligible Airgas parents, offering generous paid time off for the birth or placement of children, including 14 weeks of paid child birth benefit for birth mothers on leave, as well as paid parental leave benefits for other associates. Additionally, we offer our employees a 401k plan with company matching funds, tuition reimbursement, discounted college tuition for employees' dependents, and an Airgas Scholarship Program for dependent children.

Your differences enhance our performance

At Airgas, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world. We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability or any other protected characteristic. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.

Equal Employment Opportunity Information

We are an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Airgas, an Air Liquide Company invites any applicant and/or employee to review the Company's written Affirmative Action Plan or Policy Statement. This plan or policy statement is available for inspection upon request.

Airgas, an Air Liquide Company and its group of companies does not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to the known disabilities of such individuals so as to ensure equal access to benefits and privileges of employment. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us by email at View email address on click.appcast.io.