Operations Manager

About Zep Inc.

Zep Inc. is a leading manufacturer of cleaning solutions for businesses and consumers with operations across the U.S, Canada, and Europe. Our purpose is to make the planet cleaner, safer, and more productive. To fulfill our purpose, we focus on understanding and solving cleaning needs for consumers, as well as business customers across a variety of segments including transportation, industrial, institutional, and food & beverage. We also have a strong presence in the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) segment, where we develop products to help consumers and businesses maintain a clean and safe environment. Our products can be found online and at retail shelves at outlets like Home Depot, Amazon, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Grainger, HD Supply, Walmart, and many others. We market our products under well recognized and established brand names, such as Zep®, Enforcer®, Misty®, TimeMist®, TimeWick, and Country Vet®. Zep was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. In 2021, Zep became the official cleaning partner of Atlanta United FC.

Job Description:

This role will oversee a manufacturing plant and is responsible for site operations. This includes the safety and well-being of associates, managing and optimizing the production process, improving manufacturing efficiency, and ensuring product quality and on-time delivery times. Oversee all aspects of manufacturing process, from raw materials to finished products, ensuring efficient and cost-effective operations. Assist Director of Operations with long-range operating goals and lean initiatives.

• Lead the manufacturing team, providing guidance, direction, and support to ensure a high-performance culture.
• Commit to and drive a relentless focus on safety
• Maximize operational efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
• Provides manufacturing leadership and improvement focus in operations driving results, creating and monitoring measures, providing motivation, and setting expectations in safety, quality, delivery and cost.
• Ensure timely delivery of products by maintaining production schedules.
• Implement quality control measure to ensure that all products meet or exceed customers’ expectations.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations and standards.
• Maintain communication with customers, suppliers, shop floor, stakeholders, and staff.
• Leads annual operating plan, forecasts, and other measurements for manufacturing operations.
• Manages, coaches, and develops staff; works with employees to set goals in training and development, performance, and career planning.
• Coordinates operational plans ensuring operational objectives and KPI’s are met.
• Ensure adherence to rules, regulations, and workplace policies and procedures.

Experience / Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field is preferred.
• 7 – 10 years of experience in chemical manufacturing industry management preferred.
• Proven track record of success with improving manufacturing operations, reducing costs, and increasing productivity.
• Knowledge of health, safety, and environmental regulations within a manufacturing environment.

• Significant level of relevant work experience, including managerial, leadership, and budgetary experience, required.
• Assist the team in diagnosing problems and in implementing necessary modifications.
• Serve as a liaison between other teams and operating systems.
• Recognizes and implements improvements to production methods, equipment performance, and quality of product.
• Holds communication meetings on a regular basis to facilitate performance and respond to employee needs.
• Experience managing operating budgets are within forecasted levels.
• Experience driving continuous improvement processes.
• Ability to work in high stress and demanding work environment.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP software (preferably SAP)

Our Values

At Zep, we have developed a set of values focused on bringing even greater cohesion to our workplace. As part of this plan, we introduced a values framework called S.P.E.E.D. to align with our purpose of making the planet cleaner, safer, and more productive.

• Stewardship: We continuously improve the safety of our people and products, and we protect the planet by innovating solutions to reduce our environmental impact.

• Passion for Problem Solving: We listen to our customers and actively work to find solutions for unique situations. We think creatively to innovate and seize opportunities that will drive growth and make all our customers’ and consumers’ lives better.

• Empowerment: We encourage and lead our people to be accountable by equipping them to make decisions and own the outcome

• Expertise: We create innovative solutions and partnerships that are relevant to service our communities and customers.

• Doing the Right Thing: We expect our people to understand ethical boundaries and be inclusive of other backgrounds, ideas, and perspectives. Demonstrating honesty, respect and integrity in all actions is always expected.

Zep Inc. is an organization that is committed to diversity within its workforce and encourages all interested candidates, including women, minorities, & former military personnel to apply. It is the policy of Zep Inc. that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation.

As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, Zep Inc. provides full employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, ancestry, or veteran status or any other distinction outlined in all applicable federal, state, and local laws.