Operations Manager

About the Company

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 provide virgin sulfuric acid, sulfuric acid regeneration services, and sulfuric acid derivatives, including specialty grade high-purity virgin sulfuric acid for diverse end uses such as mining (particularly copper for electronics applications), electric vehicle production, data center expansion, nylon precursor production, lead acid battery manufacturing, water treatment, and refining and petrochemical processes. Ecoservices offers sulfuric acid regeneration, virgin sulfuric acid production, and chemical waste handling and treatment services. Calabrian produces high-value sulfur dioxide and derivative solutions, serving essential industries, while Chem32 provides sulfides and activates catalysts for refining and renewable fuel processes.

Responsibilities

• Drive manufacturing excellence by owning the OEE program (Gross/Availability/Performance/Net) and leading a tiered meeting cascade to ensure KPI visibility and accountability at all levels (daily, weekly, monthly).
• Champion safety culture and LOTO program compliance, including training personnel on life critical rules and LOTO procedures, conducting safety observations, and driving accountability for safety performance.
• Develop and maintain a rolling 3-5 year capital expenditure plan, build relationships with the Ecovyst corporate capex team, and submit and defend annual capital budget requests.
• Lead debottlenecking initiatives and value stream mapping (VSM) exercises to identify process constraints, eliminate waste, and optimize throughput.
• Maintain full compliance with all Enablon action items, ensuring no overdue actions and conducting periodic aging reviews of open items.
• Own MOC (Management of Change) implementation and tracking for the operations area.
• Develop and coach direct reports.
• Oversee logistics operations, including managing the Logistics Supervisor and loading team to ensure safe, efficient, and accurate product loading, tank inventory management, and outbound shipping execution.
• Manage tank inventory and raw material inventory, and minimize demurrage costs.
• Oversee truck loading operations and safety.
• Participate on the Hammond Management Team and Ecovyst production and operations network teams.
• Lead Hammond continuous improvement teams across production and logistics.
• Lead turnaround shutdown, LOTO execution, unit inspection, and startup activities.
• Own and periodically review unit operating limits, ensuring changes follow the MOC process.
• Actively support and enforce the plant's HS&E standards and Ecovyst 20 Principles for Managing Behavioral and Operational Safety.
• Provide miscellaneous leadership, including rotating duty superintendent responsibilities and Supervisor Safety Meetings as required.
• Support Management Team initiatives and help drive organizational change.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering from a four-year college or university.
• Minimum 5-10 years of operations or production management experience in a chemical manufacturing environment, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• PSM experience required, including OSHA 1910.119 (LOTO, PSSR, MOC, incident investigation, and PHA action item management).
• Experience in a USW (or equivalent) union environment, with demonstrated ability to lead and manage a unionized workforce across multiple functions.
• Demonstrated experience managing production and logistics KPIs: OEE, VMC cost per ton, demurrage, tank inventory, and tiered meeting/dashboard management.
• Capital budgeting and 3-5 year capex planning experience, with a strong working relationship with corporate capital teams.
• Proficient in SAP, Enablon, OSIsoft PI Vision, Microsoft Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Logistics and supply chain coordination experience, including tank farm operations, carrier management, and demurrage tracking preferred.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and subordinate development skills, with experience managing across multiple operational functions.
• Ability to handle changing priorities in a fast-paced chemical manufacturing environment.
• Experience with equipment inspections, including confined space entries.
• 40-hour HAZWOPER certification.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Full benefits package
• 401k matching
• Tuition reimbursement