Senior Operations Manager

About the Team

Michelman is a global developer and manufacturer of specialized sustainable chemistry, driving innovation in industrial and agricultural coatings, digital printing, consumer packaging, and advanced composites for automotive and aerospace. Our solutions protect and enhance the materials that shape our world, from preserving food to making vehicles more fuel-efficient. We are proud of our values-focused work environment, built on integrity, respect, and success, where technical and professional growth is prioritized alongside rigorous onboarding.

About the Role

The Senior Operations Manager serves as the senior plant leader for our Cincinnati manufacturing site, owning the full operational performance of Production and Maintenance. This is not a developmental role; we are seeking a seasoned leader who has already proven the ability to drive performance at scale and build systems that outlast individual effort.

In this position, you will connect the floor to the future, translating VP-level strategy into execution while building the organizational capability to sustain it. You will lead the Production and Maintenance teams as the primary operations partner to the Site Leader, ensuring that technical credibility and strategic range coexist. The environment demands precision: process hazards, regulatory obligations, GMP standards, and specialty chemistry mean every operational decision carries significant weight across safety, quality, cost, and people.

Your day will involve leading the integration of Production and Maintenance as a unified system, driving cost discipline, and managing capital planning in partnership with Engineering. You will foster a culture where accountability is paired with development, ensuring high standards are sustained through leadership rather than just compliance. From daily direction-setting to cross-functional leadership, you will ensure the site operates with integrity, safety, and continuous improvement at its core.

Hiring Process

Application: Submit your resume and cover letter via our careers portal. Please note: No phone calls, please.
Screening: Initial review by the Talent Acquisition team.
Interviews: A series of interviews focusing on operational strategy, leadership capability, and technical fit.
Background Check: All candidates will receive a drug test prior to beginning employment, which includes testing for tobacco products.

Equal Opportunity & Culture

Michelman is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We seek and employ qualified persons in all jobs in a manner that ensures equal employment opportunity. We do not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Important Notice: Michelman does not hire individuals who use tobacco products. We are committed to a safe and compliant workplace and adhere to all federal employment laws.

Work location

Work model: On-site

217, Jackson Avenue, Saint Bernard, Hamilton County, Ohio, 45217, United States

Saint Bernard, Ohio

Key Responsibilities

check_circleOwn site-level operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost
check_circleLead, develop, and hold accountable Production Supervisors and the Maintenance Manager
check_circleTranslate VP-level strategy into operational plans with clear owners and measurable outcomes
check_circleLead capital planning and develop business cases for equipment investment and capacity expansion
check_circleOwn site capacity planning and provide input to commercial and supply chain teams
check_circleServe as the senior operations voice in cross-functional leadership to resolve systemic issues
check_circleLead operations function adoption of digital tools to improve visibility and decision-making
check_circleDrive integration between Production and Maintenance to ensure unified reliability systems
check_circle

Requirements

verifiedBachelor's degree required
verified10+ years of progressive manufacturing experience in specialty chemical, pharmaceutical, food ingredient, or similarly regulated process manufacturing environments
verified5+ years in a management role with direct accountability for multiple managers or departments
verifiedProficiency with CI methodologies (Lean, TPM, or equivalent)
verifiedExperience with CMMS platforms and ERP systems
verifiedWorking knowledge of PSM, OSHA 1910, GMP standards, MOC governance, and safe work permitting

Nice to Have

Degree in Chemical Engineering

Company

Michelman

Industry

Chemical Manufacturing

Headquarters

Cincinnati, OH

Michelman‘s environmentally conscious solutions protect and enhance the materials that shape our world.

Michelman, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, operates as a global chemical manufacturer specializing in the development of environmentally friendly advanced materials. The company focuses on delivering surface additives and polymeric binders designed to enhance performance attributes across the coatings, printing, packaging, and industrial manufacturing sectors. These solutions are utilized by major manufacturers worldwide to add value to diverse applications, ranging from wood and floor care products to metal coatings, paints, varnishes, inks, fibers, and composites. Recognized for innovation in barrier and functional coatings, Michelman also produces digital printing-press primers essential for creating consumer and industrial packaging, paper products, labels, and commercially printed materials. The organization maintains a significant international footprint with production facilities located in North America, Europe, and Asia. To support its global client base, the company operates product development and technical service centers in several key markets and employs a worldwide team of trained business development personnel dedicated to serving customers across multiple industries.

Skills, education and keywords

Skills: Lean, TPM, A3, 5 WHYS, Fishbone, CMMS, Erp, PSM, Moc, GMP.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering strongly preferred; Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Process Technology, or Operations Management considered.

Frequently asked questions about Senior Operations Manager at Michelman

What does a Senior Operations Manager at Michelman do?expand_more

In this Senior Operations Manager at Michelman role, you will own site-level operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost; lead, develop, and hold accountable production supervisors and the maintenance manager; translate vp-level strategy into operational plans with clear owners and measurable outcomes; and lead capital planning and develop business cases for equipment investment and capacity expansion.

What are the requirements for this Senior Operations Manager role?expand_more

Michelman is looking for candidates who meet the following requirements: Bachelor's degree required; 10+ years of progressive manufacturing experience in specialty chemical, pharmaceutical, food ingredient, or similarly regulated process manufacturing environments; 5+ years in a management role with direct accountability for multiple managers or departments; Proficiency with CI methodologies (Lean, TPM, or equivalent); Experience with CMMS platforms and ERP systems; and Working knowledge of PSM, OSHA 1910, GMP standards, MOC governance, and safe work permitting.

Where is the Senior Operations Manager role at Michelman located?expand_more

Senior Operations Manager at Michelman is based in 217, Jackson Avenue, Saint Bernard, Hamilton County, Ohio, 45217, United States. This is a on-site role.

Is this Senior Operations Manager job remote, hybrid, or on-site?expand_more

Michelman has listed this Senior Operations Manager role as on-site.

How much experience is required for this Senior Operations Manager role?expand_more

Senior Operations Manager at Michelman typically requires 10+ years of relevant experience at the lead level.

What skills do you need for the Senior Operations Manager role at Michelman?expand_more

Key skills for Senior Operations Manager at Michelman include Lean; TPM; A3; 5 WHYS; Fishbone; CMMS; Erp; and PSM.

What education is required for Senior Operations Manager at Michelman?expand_more

Educational requirements for this role: Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering strongly preferred; and Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Process Technology, or Operations Management considered.

What category does the Senior Operations Manager role belong to?expand_more

Senior Operations Manager at Michelman is part of the manufacturing job category on Recrutus.

About Michelman

Recognized for innovation in barrier and functional coatings, Michelman also produces digital printing-press primers essential for creating consumer and industrial packaging, paper products, labels, and commercially printed materials. The organization maintains a significant international footprint with production facilities located in North America, Europe, and Asia. To support its global client base, the company operates product development and technical service centers in several key markets and employs a worldwide team of trained business development personnel dedicated to serving customers across multiple industries.

Browse more roles: All Michelman jobs, manufacturing jobs on Recrutus.