Operations Manager

Ashland Specialty Ingredients, GP

Ashland has an exciting opportunity for an Operations Manager to join our Life Sciences business at our Hopewell, VA location. This is a very visible, significant role within the Company. This position will be on the site leadership team and report to the Plant Manager.

The responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintaining a safe work environment for all site employees and visitors while complying with all local, state, and federal safety and environmental regulations and company guidelines.
• Develop and manage financial budget and production plan for site operations to meet business objectives.
• Developing and implementing a strategic plan for the site, balancing its immediate needs with the company's long-term goals.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and facilitate the implementation of initiatives to improve the site's profitability.
• Working closely with support organizations to resolve production issues, quality issues, improve efficiency, respond to customer complaints, and support on-time deliveries of finished goods.
• Modeling positive leadership through open and effective communication, motivation, example setting, and best practices.
• Supporting a positive team environment in which members participate, respect, and cooperate with each other to achieve desired results.

In order to be qualified for this role, you must possess the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• Minimum 15 years of manufacturing experience (preferably in chemical manufacturing), including vast operations management experience and ability to manage a site of >150 employees and contractors
• Strong knowledge of PSM programs, reaction, distillation, powder handling, and handling of high-hazard chemicals
• Ability to lead, influence, build, and develop a cross-functional team across various skill sets. Proven self-starter with urgency to deliver results. Ability to have a hands-on approach
• Proven management experience and experience in managing collective bargaining unit employees
• Experience working within and complying with all governmental regulations (OSHA, EPA, FDA, etc.) and reporting requirements globally as required

The following skill sets are preferred by the business unit:

• Knowledge of FDA cGMP operations requirements, safety programs, and environmental regulations
• Previous cellulose manufacturing experience
• Experience in project engineering and deployment of capital projects
• Six Sigma, Lean, or relevant continuous improvement experience

*Third-party recruiters and agencies (“Agency”) should not contact employees of Ashland or its subsidiaries directly. Any resumes sent by an Agency to a hiring manager, recruiter, or submitted to Ashland’s career portal are considered unsolicited and the property of Ashland. Ashland will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume, unless the A gency has a signed contract with Ashland’s Human Resources/Procurement department in advance of submitting a candidate for consideration. Verbal and written approvals will not be considered a valid contract for service.

In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland LLC. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, personal care and pharmaceutical. Visit to see the innovations we offer.




At Ashland our vision is to be a leading, global specialty chemicals company whose inspired and engaged employees add value to all we touch. In fact our people, employees, customers and vendors define who we are. They are the driving force behind everything we do.




Not only do we value our customers but we value our employees, and we work to offer them a dynamic and challenging environment. We hold ourselves to high standards at Ashland, and we value integrity and honesty.




Ashland has a history of attracting the best people and keeping them. The reasons are simple: industry competitive salary and benefits, pay-for-performance incentive plans and a diverse work environment where employees feel challenged and valued. People come to Ashland and stay. As a growing Fortune 500 specialty chemicals company, we offer opportunities for development and advancement throughout our global organization. Our values define who we are and what we care about as a company. If you are looking for a relationship with a company instead of simply a job, this may be a great fit.

Ashland is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. NOTE: We do not accept resumes from external staffing agencies or independent recruiters for any of our openings unless we have a signed recruiting agreement in place to fill a specific position.