Operations Manager

Operations Manager | Manufacturing

An established specialty materials and chemical manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead refining operations and drive safety, quality, productivity, and financial performance at a manufacturing facility in Buffalo, NY.

This is a leadership-focused opportunity for someone who can combine operational expertise with continuous improvement, people leadership, and strategic execution.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead day-to-day refining operations across chemical, thermal, and mechanical processes.
• Drive a strong culture of safety, quality, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing and 5S principles to reduce waste and improve process efficiency.
• Use fact-based analysis and structured problem-solving to identify and eliminate operational issues.
• Partner cross-functionally with Quality, R&D, Engineering, Supply Chain, and other stakeholders to support new product introductions and manufacturing initiatives.
• Lead, mentor, and develop operations teams, including succession planning and employee development.
• Establish operational goals, priorities, staffing plans, and performance expectations aligned with business objectives.
• Oversee manufacturing schedules and capacity planning based on production forecasts and customer requirements.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain clear operational procedures, training programs, and accountability standards.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
• 5–7+ years of leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience leading manufacturing or production operations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and drive measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, and efficiency.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, 5S, or structured problem-solving methodologies preferred.
• Strong cross-functional leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.

Location: Buffalo, NY

Industry: Specialty Materials / Chemical Manufacturing

Salary: $101,400–$162,000 base salary, depending on experience and qualifications.

This opportunity is well suited to an operations leader who enjoys working in a hands-on manufacturing environment while driving long-term improvements in people, processes, and performance.