Operations Manager - South Bend Ethanol

South Bend Ethanol is hiring an Operations Manager

Job Purpose

As a member of the plant leadership team, you will be responsible for all aspects of plant operations for the South Bend facility.  You will ensure safe, reliable, cost-effective operations in compliance with all environmental and regulatory requirements. You will be accountable for the direction and development of the operations staff. 

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, vision, long-term strategy and oversee the day-to-day operations of the facility to support the achievement of company objectives.
• Develop an injury and incident-free EHS culture. Ensure that all safety and environmental requirements are complied with at all times.  Support all EHS improvement activities.
• Select, train and manage a work force that is motivated, flexible in skills, cross-trained and technically astute.
• Promote a team atmosphere and strong culture of plant ownership.  Build a great place to work where all employees are engaged. Manage the operational metrics and develop and execute plans to improve the Key Performance Indicators.
• Ensure the accurate reporting of production and environmental data while ensuring inventory accuracy.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts and advance operational excellence. Provide technical and managerial expertise to solve processing and quality problems, make recommendations, and oversee implementation of improvements. 
• Drive root cause identification, analysis, and actions.Establish, communicate and sustain high standards for facility housekeeping and order.
• Work collaboratively with all support functions to ensure safe, reliable, cost-effective operations.
• Accountable for budgeting and cost control in relation to production activities.
• Make expeditious appropriate decisions to non-routine plant operating conditions.
• Establish and implement performance management development plans for self as well as direct and indirect reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field (prefer chemical or mechanical), or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience and operations management in chemical/refinery plant required.
• Knowledge of ethanol technology preferred.
• Enthusiastic, self-starter, energetic, organized, and service minded.
• Demonstrated record of successfully leading people, setting and communicating standards and expectations and holding employees accountable.  Able to cope with a wide range of situations.
• Demonstrated experience indicating effective communication skills, analytical ability, detail orientation, and ability to make decisions and meet deadlines.
• Excellent judgment and problem analysis skills are required as well as tolerance for stress.
• Ability to understand and troubleshoot chemical process operations in order to support effective operations.
• Proficiency with personal computers, including Excel
• DCS/PLC experience is preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Competent oral and written communication skills are required.
• Change agent
• Knowledge of computer systems and software, and the ability to read and understand operating procedures, technical manuals and drawings.
• Experienced with use of Microsoft Office tools, with emphasis on Excel.
• Requires wearing personal protective safety equipment (safety glasses, hard hat, safety footwear, ear plugs, etc.)
• Requires standing, sitting, walking, kneeling, twisting, climbing stairs and ladders, entering plant equipment to access, inspect, or collect data on plant equipment and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• May be required to work around rotating and energized equipment, hazardous materials and chemicals.
• Knowledgeable on operational best practices