Vice President Operations

About the role

The Vice President of Operations is responsible for strategic leadership while ensuring everyday operational activities run smoothly and effectively. This role develops and implements the regional operations strategy for plant operations, safety & regulatory compliance, as well as policy & procedural updates. The position manages and directs the capital expenditure process and budgeting, champions and promotes a strong safety and compliance culture, establishes and executes quality and delivery standards, manages operation teams, resolves operational, manufacturing, and maintenance problems, develops capital expenditure budgets, works with the region Safety management team, reviews production orders and schedules, provides training and equipment to all Operations employees, leads by example positively promoting safety, and manages the safety and health of employees.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements the regional operations strategy for plant operations, safety & regulatory compliance, as well as policy & procedural updates.
• Manages and directs the capital expenditure process and budgeting.
• Champions and promotes a strong safety and compliance culture implementing programs to ensure associate safety and company regulatory compliance.
• Establishes and executes quality and delivery standards for products and services to consistently meet the needs of both internal and external customers.
• Manages the operation teams driving a culture that fosters safety, employee engagement, ownership, and collaboration in accordance with company policies by hiring, training, motivating, planning and directing work, managing performance and resolving associate issues so that assigned performance targets are met or exceeded.
• Develops capital expenditure budgets and coordinates capital expenditures once proper approvals have been received.
• Works with the region Safety management team to coordinate the procedures required for compliance with Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Transportation (DOT), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), state regulations and Airgas Policies & Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Reviews production orders and schedules to obtain product data such as types, quantities, specifications of products, and scheduled delivery dates in order to plan efficient and cost effective operations that meet customers’ product needs and customer satisfaction.
• Solves operational, manufacturing, and maintenance problems to ensure minimum costs and minimum delays.
• Develops, implements and revises, as needed, standard operational practices.
• Promotes a safety culture by leading by example.
• Manages the safety and health of employees by complying with all internal policies and procedures and applicable government regulations.
• Utilizes data such as performance metrics and dashboard reports to identify opportunities with efficiencies, operations, cylinder and product movement and availability, and staffing; drives actions for improve performance.

Requirements

• Undergraduate Business, Engineering, Operations or related degree required. In lieu of degree, consideration for up to 4 years of additional relevant experience may be accepted plus high school diploma or GED required.
• At least 10 years of increasing leadership responsibility in production or operations with preference for prior packaged gases industry experience.
• Experience in developing operations strategies & developing/managing a budget.
• Previous Industrial Gas Experience Preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Strategic thinker with the imagination & foresight to conceptualize new ideas and opportunities as well as the tactical skills to implement. Demonstrated knowledge of compliance regarding applicable federal/state regulations (i.e. OSHA, EPA, DOT, & FDA). Versatility to function effectively in a fast paced and changing business environment. Considerable independent judgment and initiative are required in resolving problems and making recommendations; demonstrating tact and diplomacy in dealing with internal and external customers; and handling proprietary information. Excellent leadership, motivational and project management skills. Financial acumen for developing and articulating metrics utilized by business professionals when developing budgets & plans, considering capital equipment purchases, and developing pricing guidelines. Strong understanding of contracts, contractual language and legal terminology. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence others, collaborate and to create cross-functional alignment. Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills. Must be proficient with Google suite applications and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel).

Qualifications

• Undergraduate Business, Engineering, Operations or related degree required. In lieu of degree, consideration for up to 4 years of additional relevant experience may be accepted plus high school diploma or GED required.
• At least 10 years of increasing leadership responsibility in production or operations with preference for prior packaged gases industry experience.

Skills

• Strategic thinker with the imagination & foresight to conceptualize new ideas and opportunities as well as the tactical skills to implement.
• Demonstrated knowledge of compliance regarding applicable federal/state regulations (i.e. OSHA, EPA, DOT, & FDA).
• Versatility to function effectively in a fast paced and changing business environment.
• Considerable independent judgment and initiative are required in resolving problems and making recommendations; demonstrating tact and diplomacy in dealing with internal and external customers; and handling proprietary information.
• Excellent leadership, motivational and project management skills.
• Financial acumen for developing and articulating metrics utilized by business professionals when developing budgets & plans, considering capital equipment purchases, and developing pricing guidelines.
• Strong understanding of contracts, contractual language and legal terminology.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence others, collaborate and to create cross-functional alignment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficient with Google suite applications and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel).

Benefits

We care about and support our Airgas Families. This is evident not only through our competitive compensation but also through a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision plans, short-term and long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), pre-tax commuter transportation benefit, parental leave, vacation, sick time, floating holidays, jury duty and funeral/bereavement leave, and paid holidays for all eligible full-time employees. Additionally, we offer our eligible employees a 401k plan with company matching funds, tuition reimbursement, discounted college tuition for eligible employees’ dependents, and an Airgas Scholarship Program for dependent children.

Pay

Competitive compensation based on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

Full-time position.

Company Overview

Airgas, an Air Liquide company, is a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and related products; one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products; and a leading U.S. supplier of ammonia products and process chemicals. Through the passion and diversity of its 18,000 associates, Airgas fosters a culture of safety, customer success, sustainability and innovation. Airgas associates are empowered to share ideas, take initiative and make decisions. Airgas is a subsidiary of Air Liquide, a world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare. Present in 60 countries with approximately 66,500 employees, Air Liquide serves more than 4 million customers and patients.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Airgas, an Air Liquide Company is a Government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Airgas does not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities, and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to the known disabilities of such individuals so as to ensure equal access to benefits and privileges of employment.