Operations Manager - NWI

SMS Mill Services, LLC is a leader in the steel mill services industry prioritizing recycling and environmental/worker' safety and handling all operations with integrity. SMS Corporate is seeking a  highly skilled, results-driven and safety-focused Operations Manager with a proven track record of leadership, production optimization, and process improvement. This role is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, driving efficiency, managing teams, and ensuring that production goals are met or exceeded.

This individual will oversee daily activities, ensure compliance with strict safety requirements, and provide strong leadership in a challenging industrial environment. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in manufacturing or heavy industry, experience managing unionized workforces, and the ability to lead with visibility in the field.

SMS provides a comprehensive range of services for steel mill customers.  We partner with our customers to design custom, cost-effective solutions, which focus on adding value and achieving goals for the operation and the environment. Our range of services includes, but is not limited scrap yard management, finished or semi-finished product services, melt shop services, logistics/transportation support, and slag processing.

This position will direct, manage, coordinate and monitor daily activities of the entire SMS onsite team to achieve production and other related targets and goals. This position will report to the Regional Operations Director.

Responsibilities:

• Drive a safety-first culture, ensuring all activities are performed in compliance with OSHA standards, site rules, and company safety policies.
• Oversee and enforce safe operations involving rail cars, heavy industrial machinery, and high-risk equipment.
• Maintain a strong presence in the field by observing, coaching, and correcting operations to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant performance.
• Lead and motivate a unionized workforce, fostering positive labor relations while ensuring accountability, productivity, and adherence to established procedures.
• Collaborate with mill leadership, subcontractor management, and safety teams to achieve operational objectives.
• Lead a production team and effectively manage costs and profitability (P&L) of dedicated production site to achieve optimal safety and productivity.
• Optimize resource utilization by implementation of an effective leadership group, including supervising and motivating the team of hourly and salary employees, as well as analyzing daily reports.
• Must have experience working with a unionized workforce and working with union contract related topics.
• Meet KPI’s to exceed efficiency and performance standards.
• Prepare daily, weekly, & monthly reports of all the production activities and respond to information requests from site, division, and corporate teams.
• In conjunction with maintenance, implement and manage a coordinated weekly planned and corrective maintenance schedule, ensuring reliable equipment is maintained to meet production targets and goals.
• Prepare production schedules for each project and weekly employee schedules to optimize performance.
• Monitor the production process, including equipment downtime and availability and adjust schedule as needed to manage headcounts and payroll expenses.
• Communicate clearly, including providing on-the-job training and assistance as needed.
• Implement and drive continuous improvement, including through change management.
• Comply with cost savings initiatives, identify, and recognize ways to reduce costs and enhance revenue, including treating any company expenses the same as you would if it was your own money.
• Function as part of the management team and align with core values to meet company policies and goals, escalating and reporting issues that require further assistance as appropriate.
• Plan, participate and actively contribute to internal and external business meetings as needed.
• Conduct daily production meetings to review the previous day’s performance, current day plan, needs for the next day, and any relevant projects, issues, etc.
• Walk the facilities daily to ensure follow-up on plans, verify execution, ensure conformance to standards, and monitor inventories.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of progressive operations management experience, preferably in manufacturing, logistics, or production.
• Demonstrated expertise in safety management and working in high-risk environments with rail cars and heavy equipment.
• Prior experience managing unionized employees required.
• Ability to perform effectively in a dirty, dusty, and physically demanding outdoor environment.
• Strong track record of leading teams and improving operational performance.
• Proven success in driving measurable production improvements (efficiency, throughput, cost savings, waste reduction).
• Expertise in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze complex data and implement practical, results-oriented solutions.
• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Business, Engineering, or related field (MBA preferred).

What we can Offer:

• A comprehensive compensation package to commensurate with experience including bonuses
• Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, company-paid life insurance, etc. offered on day 1!
• 401(k) with 4% matching, 100% vested as of first contribution
• Paid holidays, 4 weeks paid vacation
• Work in a dynamic, collaborative, progressive, and high-performing team.
• Opportunities to grow and learn with the industry.

SMS Mill Services, LLC is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. SMS Mill Services, LLC makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.