Hughes - Operations Manager

Job Description:

We are seeking a results-driven Operations Manager with 35 years of experience in the Petrochemical, Plastics, or Rubber industry.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing day-to-day operations, optimizing production efficiency, maintaining quality and safety standards, and ensuring effective cross-functional coordination.

This role demands strong leadership, analytical skills, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities (KRA):

- Oversee and manage end-to-end plant operations including production, quality control, and dispatch

- Ensure adherence to safety, environmental, and compliance standards specific to the petrochemical/plastics/rubber industry

- Monitor production metrics and KPIs to identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives

- Coordinate with procurement and inventory teams to ensure timely availability of raw materials

- Manage scheduling, workforce allocation, and resource planning to meet production targets

- Develop and implement operational strategies to enhance plant efficiency and reduce downtime

- Maintain accurate operational documentation and generate regular reports for senior management

- Liaise with maintenance teams to ensure equipment uptime and preventive maintenance execution

- Collaborate with R&D and quality assurance teams for process improvements and product consistency

- Ensure training and skill development of plant personnel for optimal performance

- Identify and resolve operational bottlenecks and quality issues in a timely manner

- Drive cost optimization initiatives across operations while maintaining product quality

Required Skillsets:

- Strong understanding of production processes in petrochemical, plastic molding, or rubber compounding

- In-depth knowledge of industry-specific safety and compliance standards (OSHA, ISO, etc.)

- Excellent leadership and team management skills

- Proficient in production planning tools and ERP systems

- Analytical mindset with data-driven decision-making capabilities

- Effective communication and stakeholder coordination skills

- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure

- Knowledge of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other operational excellence frameworks is a plus

Qualifications:

- Master's/Bachelors degree in Mechanical/Chemical/Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, or related field

- 35 years of hands-on experience in operations within the Petrochemical, Plastics, or Rubber industry