- Job Title: Operations Manager
- Polymer Manufacturing Chemical Site
- Location: Normandy, 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 24/7Strategic interface between: Managementshift-based operational teamssupport 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)
- Industrial utilities
- Wastewater treatment plant
- Internal logistics (raw materials, finished products)
- Human resources:~100 employees2 direct reports
- Day shifts and shift teams working 5×8Strategic and operational responsibilities
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- Defining the operational strategy
- Translate the site’s industrial strategy into:production targetsreliability and safety prioritiescost and consumption reduction targets
- Develop multi-year roadmaps (performance, energy, reliability, environment)
- Balancing priorities between short-term performance and long-term robustness
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- 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
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- Operational excellence & continuous improvement
- Deploy a structured culture of continuous improvement
- Manage cross-functional projects:energy optimisationreduction of material lossesimproving plant reliability
- Support the digitalisation of operations (monitoring of energy, performance, incidents)
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- 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
- Approve high-risk operational decisions
- Ensure regulatory compliance (ICPE, discharges, permits)
- Promote a long-term vision regarding the environment and sustainability
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- 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 5×8 teams
- Identify and develop key talent
- Foster commitment, accountability and operational discipline
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- On-site presence and operational control
- Ensure a regular presence in production, utilities, wastewater treatment plants and logistics
- Participate in:post-incident reviewsmajor start-ups/shutdownsatypical or degraded situations
- Maintain a detailed understanding of processes and real-world constraints
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- Economic contribution & investments
- Manage the OPEX budget for the operations division
- Play an active role in defining and prioritising CAPEXAssess returns on industrial investment
- Justify technical decisions to senior management
- Internal and external interfaces
- Site / Group management
- Maintenance & engineering
- HSE / Environment
- Quality
- Supply Chain / Procurement
- Regulatory authorities
- Strategic service providers
- Profile
Key skills
- 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
