Operations Leader

Valentra is a focused chemical manufacturing company built on a strong operational legacy. We operate a network of formaldehyde and derivative production facilities across the U.S. Gulf Coast, supplying essential materials to blue‑chip customers who depend on safe, reliable, and high‑quality products and solutions. While our name is new, what has not changed is how we operate. Valentra leads with care and is deeply committed to our plants, our people, and the communities where we live and work.

We take pride in close, collaborative partnerships with our customers and suppliers, delivering the reliability and responsiveness their operations require. We operate with uncompromising integrity and a strong drive for excellence, continuously improving how we work and how we serve our customers. When you join Valentra, you become part of a hands‑on organization where accountability is clear, safety comes first, and every role makes a meaningful impact.

Position Overview The Operations Leader is responsible for overseeing the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of manufacturing processes at the Baytown, TX site while also providing regional engineering support for the network. This role ensures optimal production performance while maintaining the highest standards of safety, environmental compliance, quality, and cost effectiveness. The Operations Leader drives operational excellence through team leadership, performance management, and cross‑functional collaboration with maintenance, engineering, EHS, and supply chain teams.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership of all plant personnel, including operations, maintenance, EHS, engineering, quality, and administrative staff.
• Drive safe and reliable plant operations, ensuring full compliance with OSHA, EPA, and other regulatory standards.
• Provide engineering support for capital improvement projects, process optimization initiatives, and maintenance programs to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Manage capital improvement projects, process optimization initiatives, and maintenance programs to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), preventative maintenance schedules, and engineering documentation.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using methodologies such as Six Sigma, Lean, or Root Cause Analysis.
• Collaborate with corporate leadership on strategic planning, budget management, staffing, and production forecasting.
• Oversee training and development of plant employees to foster a high‑performing, safety‑oriented workforce.
• Act as operations leader and primary contact for audits, inspections, and regulatory agency visits.
• Provide overall oversight for major activities at the Baytown, TX site (turnarounds, cat changes, etc.)

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field required.

Experience:

• 7 years of experience in chemical plant operations or engineering
• Minimum of 3 years in a leadership role preferred.
• Demonstrated success in managing cross‑functional plant teams.
• Strong knowledge of chemical processing equipment, utilities, and instrumentation.
• Proven experience with environmental and safety compliance in a regulated industry.

Skills:

• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Sound technical judgement and problem‑solving ability
• Strong analytical and project management capabilities.
• Proficient in CMMS, process control systems, and Microsoft Office.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement principles.

Other We are an Equal Opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, pregnancy, race, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or military status, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law. To be considered for this position candidates are required to submit an application for employment through our career site and be at least 18 years of age.

Any offer of employment will be conditioned upon successful completion of a drug test and background investigation, as well as authorization for the company to conduct additional periodic background checks as required by the Chemical Facility Anti‑Terrorism Standards (CFATS) or regulations adopted by the Department of Homeland Security or other regulatory agencies. A prior criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment, and the company will conduct an individualized assessment and reassessment, consistent with applicable law, prior to making any final employment decision.#J-18808-Ljbffr