Director of Operations (Finance)

Job Overview: Linde Gases US is looking for an Operations Director to manage five bulk industrial gases facilities in its growing Houston geography (BAPOC). The sites consist of 8 air separation plants, 3 nitrogen liquefiers, a liquid hydrogen production facility, and a carbon dioxide liquefaction facility. There is a combination of pipeline and merchant liquid customers, which will require the successful candidate to maintain healthy relationships with pipeline customers, understand contractual obligations, and navigate trucking dynamics to support customers in the area. This position is responsible for directing, planning, and leading daily operations at these facilities and will report to the South Region Operations Director. The successful candidate will also be required to effectively manage operations through emergencies, ensuring safety, continuity, compliance, and customer satisfaction during critical situations. This seasoned individual has intimate knowledge of principles and practices within operations and works to drive safety, compliance, operational excellence, and profitability. This is a front-line operations role. Accessibility during off-hours (laptop and cell phone) is required. Primary Responsibilities: - Safe and profitable operation of five facilities within the Houston, TX metro area. - Maintains relationships with suppliers and customers. - Meets contractual obligations. - Manages and achieves plant fixed and variable cost goals to meet financial targets. - Delivers defined value in annual productivity savings. - Ensures compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulatory requirements which include but are not limited to: OSHA PSM/RMP, DOT, FDA, EPA, etc. Adheres to all internal company policies, programs, and standards. - Long term planning for staffing needs, including retention, recruitment, training, and professional development of employees. - Develop, plan, and execute short, and long-term maintenance strategies to ensure reliable, cost-effective operations. - Manage the sites portfolio of capital and expense projects. - Engages support teams for projects or technical assistance. - Places high value on team building and effective communications across the organization. - Reacts urgently to plant issues, garnering the required resources to minimize impact to customers and the business. - Communicates effectively with logistics to ensure reliable and efficient deliveries to customers. - Engages with community and professional organizations. Qualifications: - Bachelor's Degree preferred or equivalent proven experience in a comparable production setting. - Ideal candidate will have 10+ years operations experience with 5+ years management experience with air separation plants. - Demonstrated ability to manage within budgetary constraints, understands P&L and how to influence financial results. - Places a high value on building and developing a strong, diverse team along with productive relationships with employees at all levels. - Comfortable managing multiple tasks timely, while making informed and challenging decisions. - Proven ability to lead and quickly adapt to changing situations and act with urgency. - Proven communications skills, and a strong will to build and maintain productive relationships across departmental lines. - Must be a self-starter with the ability to drive execution of projects as well as strategic and tactical initiatives. About Linde: Linde is a leading global industrial gases and engineering company with 2024 sales of $33 billion. We live our mission of making our world more productive every day by providing high-quality solutions, technologies and services which are making our customers more successful and helping to sustain and protect our planet. The company serves a variety of end markets including chemicals & refining, food & beverage, electronics, healthcare, manufacturing, and primary metals. Linde's industrial gases are used in countless applications, from life-saving oxygen for hospitals to high-purity & specialty gases for electronics manufacturing, hydrogen for clean fuels and much more. Linde also delivers state-of-the-art gas processing solutions to support customer expansion, efficiency improvements and emissions reductions. For more information about the company and its products and services, please visit www.linde.com. - We offer a comprehensive competitive benefits package including paid holidays and vacation, health, dental, disability, life insurance, 401(k) (with matching), and pension benefits. - At Linde, we strive to create a work environment that treats all employees with respect, supports new thoughts and ideas, encourages growth and development, celebrates our differences, and embraces inclusion. Linde is committed to remaining an employer of choice for the diverse, ever-increasing pool of global talent. - All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other reason prohibited by applicable law. Linde thanks all applicants in advance for their interest; however, only those applicants who are being considered for an interview will be contacted. Pay commensurate with experience. #LI-PL1