Operations Manager

WHO WE ARE

Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC is a leading full-service agronomic solutions provider that's been in business since 1957. Our first location was in West Helena, Arkansas hence the name "Helena". We now have close to 600 locations nationwide and over 6,000 employees. Our corporate office is located in Collierville, Tennessee, a suburb outside of Memphis. Year after year we rank at the top nationally for volume and sales in our industry. There are many facets to our company including product development, sales, operations, precision technology and manufacturing just to name a few.

This position is with Helena's manufacturing group which operates under the name Helena Industries, or HI. HI has provided formulations and packaging solutions for companies around the world for over 60 years. As one of the largest chemical toll manufacturers and service companies in the U.S., we set the bar for the industry in ensuring the safety of our clients' technology, brand and assets with integrity and pride.

ABOUT THE JOB

The Operations Manager is a key member of the plant's leadership team, responsible for overseeing and directing a team of up to 50 operational employees across liquid and dry production to ensure efficient and effective operations that meet customer needs. This role manages a single-shift operation for at least 90% of the operating days in a calendar year, optimizing workforce and equipment utilization to produce high-quality products that comply with all quality assurance standards.

In addition to production oversight, the Operations Manager plays a critical role in fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. They ensure all work is performed safely, responsibly, and in compliance with established protocols and regulatory requirements. This role involves managing five or fewer packaging lines and up to 15 formulation systems, implementing operational strategies, and driving process improvements to enhance productivity and efficiency.

Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills are essential, as the Operations Manager is responsible for training and mentoring staff, resolving production challenges, and supporting the company's long-term operational goals.

WHAT YOUR DAY WILL LOOK LIKE

• Oversees all daily production operations and ensures compliance with safety regulations across the plant, collaborating with other departments such as Inventory Control, Supply Chain, and Maintenance, while managing the allocation of production team members.
• Manages and develops production employees to establish a plant culture that reflects the RAPIDS core values and Trusted Resource brand.
• Conduct annual performance reviews for direct reports.
• Communicates with customers regarding production campaigns, schedules, new product launches, and other production matters.
• Promotes a culture of continuous improvement, efficiency, and accountability by participating/leading KATA team initiatives.
• Conducts onboarding and ongoing training for employees, including safety and compliance protocols, equipment operation, and production responsibilities specific to each role.
• Delivers safety training and instruction to contract staff and visitors.
• Investigates safety and health incidents, implement corrective actions, and lead safety audits.
• Audits safety practices and performance to identify deficiencies and ensure compliance.
• Maintains and updates safety and health policies and procedures.
• Manages and maintains the safety supplies inventory.
• Ensures compliance with customer SOPs, conduct production closeouts, solve daily problems, and investigate incidents. Ensure all quality requirements, processes, and procedures are met by adhering to QA methodologies.
• Monitor and manage production budgets, including labor, equipment maintenance, and manufacturing supplies, ensuring cost-effective operations.
• May be required to drive a company vehicle.
• Manages other members of the team.
• Provides excellent customer service to all internal and external customers.
• Other work-related duties as assigned by your leader.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Follows all company policies and procedures.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in a business, science or engineering related field and five years of industrial manufacturing experience, including three years in management, OR high school diploma and ten years of related work experience, including three in management, is required.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Managerial, problem solving and decision skills.
• Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize effectively.
• Knowledge in quality control requirements and technical data is required.
• Formula blending knowledge is preferred.
• Ability to adapt to constantly changing schedule.
• Mechanical aptitude.
• Computer skills including working knowledge of Microsoft Office are required. Working knowledge of Oracle is preferred.
• Must be able to work flexible hours and overtime.
• Travel by various means up to 10% of the time is required.
• Valid U.S. driver's license is required to drive company vehicle.
• Ability to read, write and speak in English is required.
• Communicating in Spanish is a valuable skill at Helena.

Successful completion of a drug test and background check is required for all positions at Helena.

BEING A LEADER AT HELENA

At Helena, our leaders are expected to demonstrate the same qualities that we value in our employees -- integrity, passion and accountability. In this leadership role, you will be responsible for overseeing other team members. This includes carrying out leadership responsibilities such as interviewing, hiring, training and coaching employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees and addressing complaints and resolving problems by following all of Helena's policies, procedures and applicable laws.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE JOB

At Helena, safety is our highest priority. We seek out extensive safety measures and put them in place to minimize exposure to anything that could be potentially harmful to our employees.

The work environment for this position is that of a typical plant/laboratory environment where the noise level is usually moderate to loud. In this position, you will regularly work near moving equipment/mechanical parts and could be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, chemical and biological hazards, vibrations and a risk of electrical shock.

This position requires you to use your hands for many different tasks and to talk, hear, walk, sit, stand, (8 hours a day or more), lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling (up to and including 50lbs or more), reaching overhead (up to and including 25lbs), climbing, gripping, grasping and twisting using hands and wrists, bending and stooping for long periods of time, working below knee levels for short periods of time and working above shoulder level for short periods.

BENEFITS AT HELENA

• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance STARTS THE SAME DAY YOU DO!
• Earn up to $3,000 in Reward Dollars from Helena for your Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Helena's robust 401(k) Savings Plan offers you a 100% company-match up to 5% starting on your first day. As your years of service with Helena increase, so does our company-match - up to 10% based on your contribution amount.
• Three year vesting on company match with 1,000 hours of service.
• Access your earned pay between paydays through Earned Wage Access (EWA) with DailyPay and Wisely.
• Up to 15 days paid time-off plus 9 paid holidays.
• Free Term Life Insurance at 1x your annual base pay - paid for by Helena at no cost to you.
• Free Short & Long-Term Disability.
• Up to 80 hours of paid Parental Leave.
• Education Assistance.
• And much more!

For more detailed information about our benefits, visit helenacareers.com/benefits.

STAY CONNECTED TO THE HELENA POWERHOUSE!

Follow us on social @HelenaCareers or visit our Careers website at helenacareers.com.

Helena supports individuals with disabilities, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Helena is an equal opportunity employer.