Operations Manager

Roquette is a family‑owned global leader in plant‑based ingredients and a leading provider of pharmaceutical excipients. Want to help us make a difference? Using plant‑based resources, we collaborate with our customers and partners to imagine and offer ingredients to better feed people and treat patients. Each of our ingredients responds to unique and essential needs, and they enable healthier lifestyles. We are looking for our next Operations Manager within our Operations Team. The Operations Manager will be responsible for providing leadership and direction for the site’s technical operations team and driving plant continuous improvement initiatives. The role directs and coordinates all activities of the process and automation engineers and partners with the Manufacturing Technology team and Capital Engineering team to ensure proper prioritization and technical oversight of operations and ensure continuous improvement activities are on track. The Operations Manager is a key member of the Newark site leadership team and supports and establishes a strong safety and productive culture. This position is located in Newark, Delaware. Compensation: The current salary range for this role is estimated to be $146,367 - $176,052. In addition, this position may also be eligible to earn performance‑based incentive compensation. The specific compensation offered to a candidate will be influenced by a variety of factors including but not limited to skills, qualifications, experience, and location. What You’ll Do: Serves as proactive member of Management Team by providing technical expertise, continuous improvement leadership, and identifying and acting upon cost saving opportunities; Actively participates on the Site Leadership team to set direction and optimize overall site productivity; Shows courageous leadership by coaching, asking questions, and intervening when needed. Challenges status quo and past norms to make the operation more safe and effective. Utilize process knowledge to drive performance with technical support teams; Interacts with other members of the leadership team, plant staff, and divisional cross‑functional groups to optimize plant operations; Drive enforcement and continuous improvement of the Roquette Operating System for the site; Lead GEMBA program for leaders and managers; Ensure effective determination and implementation of operations corrective and preventive actions (CAPA); Lead and coordinate sitewide 5S activities; Ensure timely and effective execution of operations RCA investigations; Lead site efforts for productivity improvement plans and VCP (value creation plan); Lead technical team to continuously improve plant OEE; Ensure operations department objectives are aligned with site and business direction; Improve operations efficiencies and develop and implement best practices; Ensure effective daily management of the Operations technical team, which includes technical staff, and resident contractors when applicable; Provide technical expertise to analyze and resolve recurring issues that impact plant uptime; Implement Lean concepts, improve equipment reliability, operations productivity and optimize overall asset life cycle costs; Lead team to provide technical support in order to plan department operations; Lead team to provide data needed for bill of materials, yield, OEE, and other key metrics; Create, review, manage and share sitewide KPI’s; Reviews production and operating reports and resolves operational, manufacturing, and maintenance problems to ensure minimum costs and prevent operational delay; Continuously works to improve the total cost of production (raw material, conversion cost and activity rate, etc.). May take a leadership role in maintaining the budget as delegated by the Site Leader; Develops strong partnerships with support functions such as EHS, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and others to drive improvement in the organization and assure alignment; Provide operational resources to support investments in projects that improves quality and capability to meet internal and external customer needs and corporate, group, division and site goals; Ensures the operation team is fully prepared for immediate response situations, including where technical resources might be needed to analyze process conditions and guide the response; Encourage identification and prevention of non‑conformance to quality procedures and specifications; Ensure that investigations are conducted into any process deviations or non‑conformances and develop and implement programs to prevent re‑occurrence; Understand and anticipate customer needs and implement performance measurements responsive to such needs; Communicate continuous improvements in key measurements including on time delivery, product quality and process capability. What You’ll Need: Education: B.S. Degree in Chemical Engineering (highly preferred), Chemistry or related technical discipline or equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum of 7 years in a chemical manufacturing or processing facility (food, flavors, cosmetic, chemical, or pharmaceutical environment preferred) with a minimum of 10 years of progressive management experience in line or staff position. Experience: Experience in food/pharma manufacturing operations preferred. 5+ years’ experience in an industrial setting in a learning, EH&S, Manufacturing, HR, Quality or work process related role preferred. Strong analytical, personal computer, organizational and leadership abilities. Strong communication skills (written, verbal, and listening) and interpersonal skills. Strong problem‑solving ability. Expert knowledge of process technology and Avicel manufacturing preferred. Strong project management and communication skills. Ability to manage time, balance priorities, and manage conflict. Good analytical skills with demonstrated ability to consistently solve problems in a decisive and efficient manner. Computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets, graphics & database). Good working knowledge and understanding of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems with working knowledge of SAP highly desirable. Lean Six Sigma experience a plus. Experience in heavy industrial or chemical technical applications. Experience managing in a Union environment a plus. MBA helpful but not required. Work Environment This role spends approximately 70% of the time in an office environment and 30% of the time in the plant environment. Physical Demands While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to speak or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk, climb stairs, use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms; work in hot, cold and loud environments. Position Type/Expected Hours of Work This is a full‑time on‑site position. Days and flexible hours of work are required to meet facility demands. AAP/EEO Statement Roquette is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. “AAP, EEO, Drug‑Free Workplace”. Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. #J-18808-Ljbffr