Operations Manager – Chemical Manufacturing

TCL Specialties, LLC Location: Proctor, West Virginia Position Type: Full-Time, On-Site Compensation: Competitive Base Salary + Performance Bonus Relocation Assistance: Available Reports To: Site Manager Lead Operations for a World-Class Chemical Manufacturing Facility TCL Specialties, LLC, a subsidiary of Thirumalai Chemicals Ltd., is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead manufacturing operations at its new state-of-the-art petrochemical and food ingredients manufacturing facility in Proctor, West Virginia. Thirumalai Chemicals is a global manufacturer of petrochemicals, fine chemicals, and food ingredients with operations across Asia, Europe, and North America. TCL's investment in West Virginia represents the first phase of a multi-phase manufacturing expansion and includes highly automated production facilities designed to support long-term growth in the North American market. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced chemical manufacturing leader to play a key role in the startup, ramp-up, and long-term operation of a world-scale chemical manufacturing facility. Position Summary Reporting to the Site Manager, the Operations Manager will provide leadership and direction for all manufacturing operations while ensuring safe, reliable, efficient, and cost-effective production. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and leading production teams, driving operational excellence, achieving production objectives, maintaining compliance with safety and environmental requirements, and supporting the site's overall business goals. This position is ideal for a hands-on chemical manufacturing leader with extensive experience in continuous-process operations, strong technical knowledge of chemical plant operations, and a proven ability to build and develop high-performing teams. Key Responsibilities Manufacturing Leadership Lead daily manufacturing operations to achieve production, quality, cost, and delivery objectives. Plan, organize, and direct production activities to ensure safe and efficient plant operations. Support startup, commissioning, stabilization, and ongoing operation of manufacturing processes. Drive operational discipline and accountability throughout the organization. Team Leadership & Workforce Development Build, lead, develop, and mentor supervisors, operators, technicians, and support personnel. Foster a culture focused on safety, teamwork, engagement, and continuous improvement. Drive training, qualification, succession planning, and workforce development initiatives. Ensure consistent communication of company values, objectives, and performance expectations. Safety, Environmental & Regulatory Compliance Promote a strong culture of environmental stewardship and process safety. Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, Process Safety Management (PSM), and other applicable regulations. Support incident investigations, risk assessments, and corrective action implementation. Achieve corporate EHS objectives and maintain a safe work environment. Operational Excellence Implement operational excellence initiatives focused on productivity, reliability, quality, and cost reduction. Monitor key performance indicators and develop action plans to address performance gaps. Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, reliability, and operational excellence methodologies. Benchmark operations and implement best practices to improve overall performance. Quality & Production Performance Ensure all products meet customer, company, and regulatory quality requirements. Achieve production targets within established schedules and budgets. Minimize operational losses through improved process control and equipment reliability. Collaborate with Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and EHS teams to ensure operational success. Financial & Capital Management Support preparation and execution of operating and capital budgets. Monitor operating costs and identify opportunities for cost reduction and resource optimization. Participate in the evaluation, planning, and implementation of capital projects. Ensure capital expenditures are executed within approved budgets and timelines. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering , Mechanical Engineering , or a related engineering discipline. Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in chemical, petrochemical, fine chemical, specialty chemical, or related process manufacturing environments. Demonstrated leadership experience as an Operations Manager, Production Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Shift Manager, or equivalent role within a chemical manufacturing facility. Strong technical understanding of chemical processes, manufacturing operations, process equipment, and plant systems. Experience leading teams of supervisors, operators, technicians, and support personnel. Knowledge of OSHA, EPA, Process Safety Management (PSM), environmental regulations, and quality management systems. Proven experience driving operational excellence, process optimization, productivity improvements, and continuous improvement initiatives. Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Experience managing budgets, controlling costs, and optimizing resources. Alternative Qualification Candidates with a high school diploma and 20+ years of progressive chemical plant operations experience , including significant manufacturing leadership responsibilities, may also be considered. Preferred Qualifications Experience in continuous-process chemical manufacturing. Experience supporting startup, commissioning, or commercial ramp-up of a chemical manufacturing facility. Experience with petrochemicals, organic chemicals, food ingredients, fine chemicals, or related process industries. Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, TPM, or reliability improvement experience. Experience operating within a PSM-covered manufacturing environment. Experience working within multinational manufacturing organizations. Demonstrated success improving safety, quality, production, reliability, and cost performance. Why Join TCL Specialties? Opportunity to help launch a new world-scale chemical manufacturing facility. Significant influence on operational culture, team development, and long-term site success. Competitive compensation and bonus opportunity. Relocation assistance available. Exposure to global manufacturing operations and leadership. Long-term growth potential within a rapidly expanding organization. Equal Employment Opportunity TCL Specialties, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.