Senior Operations Management - Chemicals Manufacturing

Louisville, KY

Retained Search - April 2012

Our client is a division of a $ multibillion global corporation (#1 industry leader) with manufacturing and sales around the world.  We seek a “high potential” chemical manufacturing operations leader for a  high visibility, fast track position at their chemicals manufacturing facility in Louisville, KY.   This is a long term, global career opportunity with one of the world’s most highly respected companies dedicated to employees’ long term career development and evolution.  The person hired will have a dedicated Career Manager.

This facility’s Product/Process complexity involves multi-purpose production lines in both continuous and batch mode.  Manufacturing is comprised of multiple production lines with each line including purification, polymerization, stripping, drying, and packaging units.  Raw materials are stored on site, and the facility includes various utility systems including a power plant with coal & gas fired boilers, cogeneration equipment, ammonia cooling systems, air compressors, etc.  The facility is unionized and labor relations are very good.

During an initial training-development period of  1 to 2 years, this new Operations Leader will learn all the design and operating specifics of the facility and lead or execute projects and tasks assigned by the Chief Operating Officer and the current Operations Leader incumbent..  This includes plant operations, equipment design, P&ID’s (Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams), etc.  In addition, the individual will learn plant personnel and develop relationships with the Operations personnel and the Union Leadership in order to facilitate a smooth transition into the Operations Leader (senior management) role.

As Operations Leader, this person will have  the general duties of supervision and management of all operational aspects within the facility and will participate as a member of the Senior Leadership Team to achieve business objectives related to safety, quantity and quality of orders, costs, deadlines and customer service.

This position has a key responsibility for the quality, quantity and the cost of delivered products and services.  This person will lead the implementation of the Company’s global best practices and ensure new tools are utilized and progress is driven throughout operations.  The Operations Leader is responsible for the safety of operational employees, the facility and for ensuring the proper compliance with procedures to protect the neighboring community from potential environment impact of facility operations. 

The anticipated career path for this initial, high visibility position is global senior operations management. The position will require occasional (10%) international travel.

Requirements for Consideration:

·         MS Chemical Engineering or Chemistry with excellent academics preferred, BSChE may be considered.

·         10 to 15+ years’ industry experience in either: Chemical,  Petrochemical, Plastics, Pharmaceutical, or Hydrocarbon Processing. 

·         Experience must include direct responsibility for manufacturing and manufacturing personnel

·         Analytical and Creative

·         Team Leader and Team Player with strong interpersonal skills

·         Proactive, self-motivated and able to work autonomously

·         Strong commitment to customer satisfaction

·         Dedicated to environmental stewardship with a proven safety record

·         Excellent communication  skills  Knowledge of a second language (Spanish or French) is a plus.

·       Experience in a union environment is a plus, but not required.

·         U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents only