Operations Manager

Job Title: Operations ManagerJob DescriptionThe Operations Manager serves as the key operational leader and trusted partner to the Plant General Manager, overseeing more than half of the plants activities and approximately 35 indirect reports. This role leads operations, shipping, maintenance, and administrative teams within a heavy industrial chemical manufacturing environment, driving safe, reliable, and efficient production while championing continual process improvement across all functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee day-to-day operations for a significant portion of the plant, including operations, shipping, maintenance, and administrative functions.
• Support the Plant General Manager as a strategic partner, providing operational insight and recommendations to improve plant performance.
• Supervise and develop approximately 35 indirect reports, ensuring clear expectations, strong performance, and a positive, safety-focused work culture.
• Drive continual process improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, quality, safety, and cost efficiency across all operational areas.
• Ensure safe, compliant, and reliable operation of a heavy industrial chemical manufacturing plant, adhering to all internal standards and external regulations.
• Coordinate and optimize production schedules, shipping activities, and maintenance plans to meet customer demand and minimize downtime.
• Collaborate with maintenance teams to prioritize and plan maintenance activities that support equipment reliability and plant availability.
• Oversee administrative processes that support operations, ensuring accurate documentation, reporting, and communication.
• Implement and sustain lean manufacturing practices to streamline workflows, reduce waste, and improve overall plant performance.
• Monitor key operational metrics, identify trends or issues, and lead corrective actions to achieve performance targets.
• Promote a strong safety culture by reinforcing safe work practices, conducting regular reviews, and addressing hazards promptly.
• Lead and participate in cross-functional projects to improve processes, introduce new practices, and support strategic plant initiatives.
• Communicate effectively with all levels of the organization to ensure alignment on goals, priorities, and operational changes.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience as a manufacturing people manager, with responsibility for leading and developing teams.
• At least 5 years of management experience in a chemical plant environment.
• Strong operations management skills, including oversight of production, shipping, maintenance, and administrative functions.
• Demonstrated project management capabilities, including planning, execution, and follow-through on operational initiatives.
• Hands-on experience working within a manufacturing environment, preferably heavy industrial or chemical.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and their application to process improvement.
• Strong safety mindset with experience promoting and maintaining a safe working environment.
• Effective management and leadership skills, including delegation, coaching, performance management, and team motivation.
• Solid organizational and planning abilities to coordinate multiple activities and priorities.
• Clear and professional communication skills, both verbal and written, to interact with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Formal management training or education that supports leadership and operational decision-making.
• Experience leading continual process improvement programs in a manufacturing or chemical plant setting.
• Exposure to operational management best practices, including performance measurement and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Familiarity with cross-functional collaboration between operations, maintenance, shipping, and administrative teams.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities in a dynamic plant environment and maintain composure under pressure.

Work EnvironmentThis role is based in a heavy industrial chemical manufacturing plant, where the Operations Manager spends significant time in production areas overseeing day-to-day activities. The environment includes large-scale processing equipment, active maintenance work, and shipping operations, with a strong emphasis on safety and adherence to operational procedures. The position requires comfort working in an industrial setting with noise, machinery, and varying environmental conditions typical of chemical manufacturing. Collaboration with operations, maintenance, shipping, and administrative teams is frequent, and the role may involve flexible hours to support plant needs, operational upsets, or critical projects. Appropriate industrial attire and personal protective equipment are required in production areas to ensure safety and compliance. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Deer Island, OR. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $57.00 - $82.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits

available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Deer Island, OR. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 17, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Deer Island,OR.About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.