Operations Manager

Job Title: Operations Manager - Polymer Manufacturing Chemical Site

Location: Northern France

Purpose of the role

The Operations Manager defines, implements and oversees the site's operational strategy, ensuring the sustainable performance of polymer production, utilities, the wastewater treatment plant and logistics, whilst maintaining a regular on-site presence to safeguard operations, teams and facilities.

They act as a key liaison for site management, translating strategic directions into tangible, measurable and sustainable industrial results.

Position and key role

• Member of the site management committee (or direct contributor)
• Responsible for the overall consistency of operations 24/7
• Strategic interface between:
• Management
• shift-based operational teams
• support functions (maintenance, HSE, supply chain, finance)
• Guarantor of operational excellence in a demanding ICPE environment

Scope of responsibility

Activities:

• Polymer production (continuous and/or semi-continuous processes)
• Internal logistics (raw materials, finished products)

Human resources

• 2 direct reports
• Day shifts and shift teams working 5x8

Strategic and operational responsibilities

1. Defining the operational strategy

• Translate the site's industrial strategy into:
• reliability and safety priorities
• cost and consumption reduction targets
• Develop multi-year roadmaps (performance, energy, reliability, environment)
• Balancing priorities between short-term performance and long-term robustness

2. Overall management of industrial performance

• Ensuring Quality, Cost, Lead Time, Safety, and Deviations targets are met
• Implementing and managing a robust system of indicators
• Analysing variances, defining and monitoring structural action plans
• Challenging existing organisations and operating procedures

3. Operational excellence & continuous improvement

• Deploy a structured culture of continuous improvement
• Manage cross-functional projects:
• energy optimisation
• reduction of material losses
• improving plant reliability
• Support the digitalisation of operations (monitoring of energy, performance, incidents)

4. Health, Safety and Environment Leadership

• Act as the site's managerial point of contact for health and safety within the operations remit
• Set the expected standards for health and safety at all levels
• Promote a long-term vision regarding the environment and sustainability

5. Team Management and Development

• Supervise, develop the skills of and empower operational managers
• Define the optimal organisation of day and shift teams
• Maintain a strong on-site culture, particularly amongst 5x8 teams
• Identify and develop key talent
• Foster commitment, accountability and operational discipline

6. On-site presence and operational control

• Ensure a regular presence in production, utilities, wastewater treatment plants and logistics
• major start-ups/shutdowns
• atypical or degraded situations
• Maintain a detailed understanding of processes and real-world constraints

7. Economic contribution & investments

• Manage the OPEX budget for the operations division
• Play an active role in defining and prioritising CAPEX
• Justify technical decisions to senior management

Internal and external interfaces

• Site / Group management
• Maintenance & engineering
• Quality
• Supply Chain / Procurement
• Regulatory authorities
• Strategic service providers

Profile

• Strategic industrial vision
• Proven leadership in the field
• Strong process safety culture
• Expertise in energy and utility systems
• Ability to mediate and make decisions
• Clear and structured communication

Experience

• Proven experience in chemical site operations
• Management of teams working 24/7 shifts
• Regulated and complex environments