Grow a Better Tomorrow with Nufarm.

We know that growing is about more than just crops and cultivation. It’s about sunshine and rain, early mornings and hard work. It can be frustratingly unpredictable but also wonderfully uplifting. More than anything, it’s about people. Nufarm is the dependable partner behind thousands of agricultural success stories. Every day, growers around the world turn to our products and our people to help with the challenges of fighting disease, weeds and pests, and to increase crop yields.

How can you grow with Nufarm?

Based in Chicago Heights, IL, Nufarm is looking for an Operations Manager who is responsible for leading and providing direction for the safe, reliable, cost-effective operation of the Chicago Heights facility. The Operations Manager generates tremendous value to Nufarm through; Health, Safety & Environmental and Reliability Leadership, People Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness, Business Owner Mindset/Financial Acumen, and Technical Acumen and Continuous Improvement.

What will you be doing?

Meets business and functional requirements with respect to Health, Safety & Environmental , productivity, cost management, personnel development, plant reliability, management systems and continuous improvement.
Provide leadership to the Chicago Heights Production team, and all other office employees supporting the production team: Quality Assurance, Scheduling, Inventory, Resource Planning, Logistics/Warehouse, and Maintenance to ensure a safe and efficient manufacture environment. Develop strong partnerships with support functions. Drive continuous improvement and alignment in all aspects of the operation.
Supports the business in achieving its goals by aligning plant operations with the business strategy.
Relentlessly pursues maximum plant reliability to reduce unplanned events and support safe operations.
Knows and champions safety standards. Demonstrates priority and commitment through personal behavior. Keeps a strong field presence and routinely assesses work activities to maintain awareness of plant needs and influence behaviors. Sets the expectation in words and actions.
Understanding and strong leadership to ensure the highest standards regarding process safety.
Develops metrics and management systems to drive continuous improvement in health, safety & environmental and reliability.
Ensures the Mechanical Integrity program is robust for safe operation. The Operations Manager is responsible for risk management decisions regarding any potential deferrals.
Ensures timely and effective investigations are conducted with appropriate corrective and preventative actions to prevent recurrence. Leverages lessons to other facilities.
Escalates issues appropriately to leadership through effective communications. Drive progress to meet the committed compliance date to maintain the facility’s license to operate.
Facilitates personnel development, counselling, motivating, and policy setting to create an environment for employees and work teams that supports a commitment to continuous improvement and empowerment.
Routinely interfaces with formulations development team and toll manufacturing team in matters related to new formulation introductions and existing formulation production concerns. New product introductions are coordinated and implemented effectively.
Provides leadership support for empowerment by implementing relevant standard operating work processes and related procedures.
Ensures common sense implementation and ongoing effectiveness of global work processes/policies, operating discipline, management systems, enabling technologies, and roles to become a Highly Reliable Organization. Challenges inefficiencies and says “no” when needed.
Operates the facility within the financial guidelines and conduct monthly analysis to ensure costs are in compliance with budgetary goals and functional guidelines. Track production variances and work to eliminate them.
Identify opportunities for product quality improvement (packaging, process efficiency, etc) and drive these initiatives through the leadership of the roles reporting in.
Plans and directs production activities and establishes production priorities to meet customer demands in a safe and cost-effective manner.
Participate as a member of the North America Manufacturing Leadership Team and help to drive the strategy and goals for the region.

What do you bring?

You hold a bachelor’s degree in Engineering/other related technical degree or a minimum of 10 years’ experience in a chemical agriculture manufacturing environment. The right candidate will have at least 10 years’ experience in process manufacturing with a thorough understanding of batch processing. As well as experience and knowledge in PSM (Process Safety Management) systems and OSHA 29 CFR 1910. You have excellent communication, analytical, and technical skills with a keen interest for problem solving and troubleshooting. Listening is a strong suit for you and are well aware of your personal strengths and weaknesses and take continuous action to improve your personal capabilities. You have the ability to develop actionable recommendations and implement the plans you make.

If you want to be a part of a thriving, supportive environment and are inspired by the prospect of being a part of something bigger, we’d love to hear from you.

We are an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity. All employment decisions are decided based on qualifications, merit and business needs. We are committed to building an inclusive environment for all Nufarm employees.