Operations Manager
Big Brown Fly Ash, LLC – A Cinder Residuals Company | Full-Time, Salary-Exempt
Company Overview:
Big Brown Fly Ash, LLC (BBFA) is a leading innovator in the processing of coal ash materials for use as additives in concrete production. Committed to sustainability and technological advancement, we specialize in transforming coal combustion residuals into high-quality additives that enhance the performance and sustainability of concrete. Our dedication to quality assurance guarantees the consistent delivery of superior products, tailored to meet the specific needs of our customers, with a focus on integrity and innovation.
Location: Fairfield, TX
Job Summary:
Big Brown Fly Ash LLC is seeking a strong, hands-on Operations Manager to lead day-to-day plant operations at our Fairfield, TX industrial facility.
This role provides direct leadership to the Operations Shift Supervisors and overall operational oversight of plant operators, control room operators, loadout personnel, and access control attendants through the supervisory structure. The Operations Manager is accountable for safe, reliable, and disciplined plant execution, operational consistency across shifts, production performance, loadout execution, and operational responsiveness.
The ideal candidate is a steady operational leader with sound judgment, accountability, professionalism, and composure under pressure, capable of leading teams, driving operational discipline, and building effective working relationships across departments. This individual must be operationally credible, technologically proficient, committed to continuous improvement, and willing to maintain visible field presence.
This role works closely with the Plant Manager and cross-functional teams to support operational alignment, plant reliability, customer execution, and sustained performance.
Work hours may vary significantly based on operational needs and may require early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, outage support, or urgent operational response.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership & Operational Oversight:
· Directly lead, coach, and develop Operations Shift Supervisors
· Hold supervisors accountable for execution, communication, documentation, leadership, professionalism, and follow-through
· Ensure effective operational oversight of plant operators, control room operators, loadout personnel, and access control attendants through the supervisory structure
· Drive operational consistency, discipline, and professional standards across all shifts
· Address performance concerns promptly and initiate/document performance management actions in partnership with Plant Leadership and HR as appropriate
· Maintain regular field presence to verify execution, support teams, and reinforce expectations
Operational Management:
· Lead day-to-day plant operations to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient performance
· Direct daily operational priorities, staffing execution, and operational readiness
· Monitor production flow, equipment conditions, process performance, material movement, and loadout execution
· Lead operational response during abnormal conditions, alarms, equipment failures, plant upsets, weather events, or production interruptions
· Support startup, shutdown, recovery, and operational continuity efforts
· Identify operational inefficiencies, process gaps, and improvement opportunities while supporting effective use of operational systems, workflows, reporting tools, and process discipline
· Maintain awareness of operational performance metrics and contribute meaningfully to KPI discussions and performance improvement efforts
Cross-Functional Coordination:
· Partner closely with Maintenance to support equipment readiness, repair prioritization, outage coordination, and operational recovery
· Work collaboratively with Sales and customer-facing functions to support production commitments, shipping priorities, and loadout execution
· Coordinate with Safety and Lab/Quality teams to maintain compliance, product consistency, and operational standards
· Communicate operational risks, constraints, and resource needs proactively while fostering productive working relationships with internal stakeholders, sister company operations, contractors, vendors, and service providers
Safety, Compliance & Standards:
· Ensure operations are conducted safely and in compliance with company policies, operating procedures, and regulatory expectations
· Take immediate action to address unsafe conditions, operational risk, compliance concerns, or performance-threatening issues
· Reinforce PPE compliance, housekeeping standards, operational discipline, and safe work practices
· Support incident response, investigations, corrective actions, and operational follow-through
Communication & Documentation:
· Ensure shift handoffs, logs, checklists, reports, and operational documentation are accurate, timely, and actionable
· Maintain clear communication between shifts, leadership, and supporting departments to ensure critical operational information is understood and acted upon
· Promote consistent documentation habits and operational transparency
Qualifications and Requirements:
· High school diploma or GED required; additional technical training, industrial education, or leadership development preferred
· 8+ years of industrial operations experience required
· 5+ years of demonstrated leadership experience in industrial manufacturing, processing, material handling, power generation, mining, cement, concrete, or similar operational environments required
· Proven experience leading supervisors and frontline industrial operations teams
· Strong understanding of plant operations, process control systems, equipment coordination, and industrial operating discipline
· Technologically proficient with the ability to quickly learn operational systems, reporting tools, dashboards, and process technologies
· Strong leadership, communication, judgment, relationship management, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills
· Demonstrated ability to coach teams, drive accountability, and maintain composure in fast-paced operational environments
· Continuous improvement mindset with willingness to learn, adapt, and improve plant performance
· Willingness to be a visible, hands-on operational leader when needed
· Valid driver’s license required
Physical Demands & Work Environment:
· Work is performed in an industrial facility, including time in control areas and field conditions with exposure to noise, dust, heat, outdoor elements, and operational hazards
· Must be able to work varied hours including early mornings, nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency response situations as operational needs require
· May involve standing or sitting for extended periods, bending, climbing, using hand tools, and working around heavy equipment or machinery
· Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs., work at heights or in confined spaces, and perform physically demanding tasks
· Use of communication devices, computer systems, operational software, and reporting tools is required
· PPE must be worn and all safety protocols followed
Pre-Employment Requirements:
- Agree to Drug Screening Panel
- Agree to a Criminal Background Check
- Agree to attend Company’s Safety Training Program and acknowledgement receipt of such training
- Agree to receive, review and acknowledge receipt of the Company’s Information Technology Manual
- Acknowledge receipt of Cinder Residuals Employee Handbook
- Agree to sign the Company’s Inventions Assignment and Confidentiality Agreements
Additional Information:
Big Brown Fly Ash, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pre-employment background check and drug screening required.
