Operations Manager

Chem32 Plant Leadership Team Member

Backed by an over 130-year history, Ecovyst has evolved into a platform of leading sulfur solutions united by a shared commitment to reliability, innovation, and performance. We have carefully cultivated our reputation as a premier provider of virgin sulfuric acid, sulfuric acid regeneration services, and sulfuric acid derivatives. We provide specialty grade high-purity virgin sulfuric acid for a number of diverse and growing end uses. Among them are mining, particularly copper for electronics applications, production of electric vehicles and the ongoing expansion of data centers across the globe, and industrial applications including our customers' production of nylon precursors, production of lead acid batteries for all types of vehicles, industrial and municipal water treatment, and refining and petrochemical processes.

Ecoservices provides sulfuric acid regeneration, produces virgin sulfuric acid, and offers chemical waste handling and treatment services

Calabrian produces high-value sulfur dioxide and derivative solutions, enabling us to serve a broader set of essential industries

Chem32 sulfides and activates catalysts for refining and renewable fuel processes

What we offer:

• Competitive pay
• Full benefit package
• 401k matching
• Tuition Reimbursement

Position Overview:

As a key member of the Chem32 plant leadership team in Orange, TX, manage the Production and Maintenance departments, meet production and asset reliability goals, and participate in the day-to-day operation of the plant.

What you will be doing:

• Provide the direction that enables Safety, Environmental, Production, and Reliability goals to be met or exceeded by balancing these key priorities.
• Act as a driving force in the continuous improvement and manufacturing performance of the site.
• Lead catalyst sulfiding manufacturing activities in line with overall business strategy.
• Deliver EBITDA, budgeted production volumes, and quality requirements through strong leadership of the production and maintenance teams and their direct reports.
• Manage day-to-day operation of all units including scheduling of manpower, troubleshooting and repair of operating issues, determination of priorities, and setting operational direction.
• Review product orders and schedules to determine appropriate production of products in priority.
• Develop, agree, and deliver capital programs, ensuring project priority, cost, and time scale align with business objectives.
• Control operation and maintenance spending to meet budget; agree and deliver fixed cost targets and identify cost reductions.
• Lead the Maintenance department, including mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation functions, to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation of plant equipment.
• Oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs, work order planning and scheduling, and use of the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).
• Plan and execute plant turnarounds and outages, coordinating production and maintenance schedules to minimize downtime.
• Drive equipment reliability through root cause failure analysis, critical spares management, and mechanical integrity programs.
• Manage maintenance contractors and service providers, ensuring work is performed safely, to specification, and within budget.
• Develop direct reports so production and maintenance teams have the capability to deliver required change; provide training, coaching, and counseling.
• Lead and direct Warehouse operations to ensure accurate inventories and safe material handling procedures.
• Assist with Union issues, ensuring personnel work within Union contract guidelines.
• Supervises approximately 17 direct reports (12 in Production and 5 in Maintenance).
• Provide leadership to the manufacturing assets at Chem32, Orange, TX, driving delivery of improvements in line with business needs.
• Ensure the site meets country/state legislation targets and maintains its license to operate.
• Ensure Operations and Maintenance departments comply with the Process Safety Management System, including Mechanical Integrity, Management of Change, and safe work permitting requirements.
• Conduct or participate in investigations of all safety, environmental, and procedure incidents in a timely manner, in compliance with applicable regulations and company policies.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (Chemical Engineering preferred).
• Competent in the use of Microsoft software and able to develop competency in additional applications as required.
• Ability to correctly interpret and apply all industry regulations.
• Understanding of root cause analysis and investigative processes.
• Must clearly demonstrate superior communication, interpersonal, influencing, and presentation skills, with the ability to interact with key decision makers at all levels.
• Must be able to provide support as required for a manufacturing facility operating 24/7/365, including weekends and holidays; must be able to provide scheduled periodic and occasional on-call support.
• 10+ years' experience in an industrial environment, with at least 3 years' supervisory management experience in plant operations and/or maintenance.
• Working knowledge of maintenance and reliability practices, including preventive/predictive maintenance, CMMS, mechanical integrity, and turnaround planning.
• Experience relevant to sulfur derivatives (sulfuric acid, hydrogen sulfide, sodium hydrosulfide, sodium hydroxide processes) or related industry strongly preferred.