Operations Director

RESPECT to people, COURAGE to be pioneers and raise the bar, and always demonstrating INTEGRITY and authenticity. Do these core values align with yours? If so, Lhoist North America may be the place for you! We are a company that believes our people make it happen and rewards talent by offering opportunities to further develop your knowledge and interests. Within our organization, we offer safety first environments, collaboration across teams, diverse and inclusive workspaces all while challenging each other to grow.

Application Deadline for this role will be 4/15/2024.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Director of Operations has total responsibility for the performance of all our plants, terminals, and mining operations. He/She will be accountable for all facets of the division operations/mining process with the responsibility for safety performance, production, maintenance, quality, compliance, financial performance/cost control, delivery, and customer satisfaction of our customers. The Director of Operations must be a take-charge person that can handle the demands of a 24-hour/ 7 days per week operational model and continually balance the competing needs of markets and our customers. He/She must also possess the skills needed to develop a team to manage the locations in the most effective and efficient way through change management initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES & EXPECTATIONS:

Leadership for safety environment

• Ensure regulatory compliance and participate in audit process at all sites within region, ensure that findings are addressed in a timely manner.

• Proactively demonstrate values and establish standards; integrate corporate core initiatives at Regional level

• Ensure strong communications with Divisional Safety & Environmental Managers

Lead Plants & Terminals within region

• Deliver versus KPIs (Volume, Variable Cost, Fixed Cost, Working Capital, Quality)

• Ensure competence is in place to run/manage all plants

• Initiate and facilitate growth, sustainability and efficiency projects.

• Stakeholder management

• Ensure succession planning and development plans

Drive Integration with all Functions

• Funnel/translate all functional requests to plants and ensure they align with corporate and operational leadership direction

• Assist in prioritizing requests from internal and external customers while meeting the goals and objectives set by the VP/GM

• Provide "push back" to manage balance work load and expectations at the locations.

• Coordinate with Sales & Logistics: 1) Maintain routine communication with Sales/Logistics. 2) Reconcile issues with the locations. 3) Coordinate outages with Sales. 4) Continually look for business improvement opportunities. 5) Seek/provide support to other regional needs as appropriate. 6) Develop plans to support project execution (i.e. number and location of terminals, mines, and plants) integration of competency center initiatives. 7) Proactively use competency centers to drive improved performance at the locations. 8) Provide feedback on opportunities to drive more leverage across LNA

Budgeting (Preparation, Execution and Control)

• Develop and control profits, plans and budget

• Drive the direct reports to prepare initial capital project requests consistent with the operating and maintenance needs of our locations

• Monitors manpower utilization at the locations and review for approval all requests for increases in the workforce.

Teamwork and Team Development

• Coordinate plant activities through planning with direct reports to ensure locations objectives are met in an effective and efficient manner

• Provide leadership and mentoring to direct reports.

• Provide direction, development, encourage collaboration, and leadership to all location staff members

• Endorses a work of environment of innovation, creativity, change, engagement, trust, and open honest communication.

Corporate Core Manufacturing Team

• Participate in development of manufacturing strategy/ planning/budgeting/direction setting

Human Resources Processes within Region

• Work with Human Resources on driving of the setting goals/objectives and assessing operational talent.

• Work with HR to identify training needs and develop a calendar to meet those needs.

• Direct the accountability of operational workforces and discuss and address individual performance management.

Perform other duties as assigned.

ATTRIBUTES: What are the Essential Knowledge/Skills/Abilities for this position?

• Proven Sr. level leadership, management and supervisory experience on all levels are required.

• Proven ability to lead organizations through change management initiatives is desired.

• Hands on leader with the ability to empower team members to execute the strategic plan.

• Prior experience in heavy manufacturing and mining processes with the focus around quality, delivery productivity, and customer focus.

• Prior experience in cement, lime or other processes utilizing rotary kilns is a plus

• Proven track record of increasing responsibility and increasing results is required

• Ability to plan and develop direct reports while identifying key training opportunities with the ability and willingness to drive teamwork.

• Training and experience leading Lean and/or Six Sigma in solving difficult problems is a plus.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate on all levels.

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.

• Strong presentation and public speaking skills.

• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks/projects and meeting all required deadlines.

• Strong sense of urgency in meeting customer needs.

• Strong understanding of safety, environmental, and the desire to following all established procedures are required.

• Must have strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint software. Previous SAP knowledge is a plus.

Physical Demands include, but are not limited to:

• Must be physically capable of accessing all plant and mining locations.

• Access all areas within a site which could include heights of 120 feet, confined spaces, climbing ladders or stairs, and accessing tunnels.

• Will be working in an office environment, plant, underground and above ground mining operation environment.

• The employee will be exposed to the following working conditions: Extreme Heat and Cold, Noise, Vibration, Oils, and Atmospheric Conditions such as Dust, Fumes, and Metallic Particles.

• The employee will be required to perform the following actions (from time to time): Standing, walking on uneven surfaces, balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, talking, seeing, hearing and sitting.

• Able to lift up to 50 pounds.

• Must be able to travel up 40% as needed.

Required Experience: Must have at least seven to ten years of previous Plant Management and/or operations leadership experience in a 24/7-365d process industry, heavy manufacturing, and/or mining environment. Strong understanding of cost accounting principles and financial statements, including P&L is required.

Preferred Experience: Cement and / or Lime Industry having worked in the following or comparable previous roles: Plant Management, Operations Management, Maintenance Management, Mine/Quarry Management, Previous lean manufacturing experience is preferred.

Required Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or Finance or technical related field or equivalent work experience in the field is desired.

Preferred Education: Master's Degree in relevant/related field

Lhoist North America offers a very competitive salary package that includes but is not limited to comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, vacation, and disability insurance. You can plan for your future with Lhoist North America 401K retirement savings options which includes an employer match. Lhoist North America also recognizes the importance of continuing education by offering Educational Assistance to our employees to encourage continued personal development and professional growth.

Here at Lhoist North America, we are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any of these protected characteristics. We encourage applications from all individuals and strongly support diversity in our workplace. We strive to create an inclusive environment for everyone, and we are committed to treating everyone in a fair and equitable manner. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.