Operations Area Manager

Your Key Responsibilities:

• Safety as the culture and the priority, drive Operational Excellence and asset availability/ optimization across the region via proactive plant maintenance and planning.
• Provide visible personal safety and environmental leadership. Take an active role in the implementation of safety, health and environmental programs, policies and procedures.
• Measure performance through audit and tracking KPI’s. Provide leadership for the Root Cause Analysis and CAPA plans. Ensure effective corrective actions are identified and follow through that they are addressed at all locations within the Area.
• Ensure a consistent and integrated approach to the operation and maintenance of facilities within the region through effective planning, excellent communication and sharing of information and processes.
• Support growth in the region via collaboration with the commercial teams and Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP).
• Deliver P&L targets as defined by budget and growth plans via detailed plans around waste mix, routing, and execution to proforma.
• Drive facility production and equipment availability; addressing potential operating deficiencies; and coordinate both corporate and field support to develop and implement effective operating plans.
• Coach WTE and MPF leaders on safety and P&L management and in executing on planned and unplanned events driving collaboration with the regional maintenance leader and regional engineering leader.
• Regularly assess talent and identify succession across facilities ensuring bench strength. Take an active role in developing Midwest talent and preparing them for Operations Leadership roles.
• Encourage and lead by example, through active community involvement that demonstrates Covanta’s value proposition in our communities and marketplace.
• Coordinate and oversee corporate support to ensure successful integration, promoting effective budget management and organic growth initiatives.
• Drive change management for operations initiatives developed as part of the transformation plan including but not limited to adaptation of new tools, processes, programs.
• Ensure accurate and standard reporting using key performance indicators (e.g., production, operating statistics, labor costs and other operating expenses). Ensure prompt attention to and resolution of issues when required.
• Support assessments of asset performance, analyze and document deviations to ensure lessons are captured and used to keep our policies and programs current and reflective of actual field performance.
• Serve as champion for Lean Management processes. Be a change leader for the entire operations organization.
• Identify process improvements to business needs using Problem Solving Reports (PSRs) and external benchmarks. Create countermeasures to resolve root causes of problems and inconsistencies.
• Partner with engineering and PMO to conduct capital expenditure planning, global engineering standards, budgeting, forecasting, and facility master planning.
• Lead consistent and thorough compliance with requirements of the Covanta Technical Standards Program, coordinate support to assist facilities with implementation, oversight and variance procedures, implement best outage practices, including implementation of outage management team to provide assessment, procurement, and execution oversight with the goal of establishing consistent practices and effective cost control.
  

CANDIDATE PROFILE:

This individual must have 10+ years of progressive experience in operations management with at least 5 years’ supervisory experience in a leadership role, as well as experience leading multiple operational sites (O&M) execution. This person will have a track record of safety leadership and P&L management, utilizing people effectively and managing tightly against performance commitments and be committed to developing a high-performance culture.

Previous experience with building high performance teams, leading large/complex operations delivering services and outstanding customer satisfaction is a requirement. The technical scope covers “end to end” plant operations and maintenance as it relates to the handling of all incoming waste types (MSW, Profile, RMW, etc.), material processing, Waste and raw water treatment, boiler operations, turbine generator operations, metals (ferrous/non-ferrous), ash and all auxiliary systems.

Specifically, the successful candidate will have:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or related field; advanced degree is preferred.
• Lean Certification is desirable.
• Solid business acumen with an understanding of the financial implications on the P&L, new process technology development, scale up, and process improvement. Large operations experience required.
• Ability to drive a culture of dedication to process safety, worker safety and environmental stewardship.
• Understanding of power market dynamics and strategies, plant operation and the intersection of these areas is preferred
• Successful experience interacting with Federal, State and local regulators, legislators, permitting agencies and other community organizations is preferred