Full-Time

Operations Manager

Intermediates

Ashland

Ashland

5,001-10,000 employees

Specialty chemicals provider for coatings, pharma

No salary listed

Lima, OH, USA

In Person

Bachelor's

Category
Manufacturing & Production Operations (1)
Required Skills
Forecasting

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Requirements
  • At least 10 years of experience in a chemical plant or refining facility is required; line experience is preferred.
  • A Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering is required, with the option to substitute five years of demonstrated leadership and process understanding.
  • Experience troubleshooting complex issues.
  • A continuous process background.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Responsible and ethical behavior at all times.
  • Ability to help the company drive greater value by understanding the business, making complex decisions, and creating new and different approaches.
Responsibilities
  • Ensure the safe and environmentally responsible operation of the plant through behavioral coaching, site observations, and permit and procedure compliance.
  • Supervise five team leaders and 18 operators.
  • Participate in Management of Change reviews.
  • Develop team leader and operator skills and mentor personnel.
  • Prepare nightly orders and prepare yield and forecasts on monthly, annual, and five-year bases using historical and projected performance.
  • Lead troubleshooting efforts for operational problems.
  • Participate actively in maintenance planning.
  • Participate actively in Safe Out Planning.
  • Provide technical input and mentoring to plant engineers.
  • Review and update plant operating procedures according to the designated schedule.
  • Participate in plant hazard and operability studies as required.
  • Fill in for the plant manager during the manager's absence.
  • Monitor product quality and adjust operating instructions to maintain on-specification production.
  • Contribute to organizational goals by taking initiative, executing goals, and focusing on performance and safety.
  • Improve organizational capacity and capabilities by building collaborative relationships, optimizing diverse talent, and using positive communication and influence with others.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience with liquid- and vapor-phase reactions at high temperatures and pressures.
  • Process Safety Management experience.
  • Experience in a team-based, participative plant environment.
  • Demonstrated performance as an innovator.
  • Understanding of risk-assessment techniques and communication.
  • Experience working in cross-functional teams.
  • Line experience in a chemical plant or refining facility.

Ashland is a diversified specialty chemicals company that originated as an oil refinery in 1924 and gradually shifted into chemicals, construction, and coal before fully reinventing itself as a pure-play specialty chemicals provider. Its products serve the personal care, pharmaceutical, and coatings markets. The company operates by developing and supplying chemical ingredients used in formulations across these industries, rather than delivering consumer finished goods. Compared with competitors, Ashland focuses on specialty chemical ingredients with an emphasis on performance materials and advanced additives, supported by a history of strategic acquisitions and spin-offs that steered it away from refining into differentiated chemical solutions. The company’s goal is to grow as a leading supplier of high-value, specialty ingredients by applying chemistry to improve the performance and quality of its customers’ products.

Company Size

5,001-10,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Covington, Kentucky

Founded

1924

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Q3 2026 sales rose 7% to $497 million, with volumes up 6% across segments.
  • Life Sciences sales jumped 11% to $180 million, powered by pharmaceutical demand.
  • Ashland generated $103 million ongoing free cash flow and reduced net leverage to 2.4x.

What critics are saying

  • Ashland's Specialty Additives and Intermediates EBITDA weakened in Q3 2026 despite volume growth.
  • Higher taxes cut fiscal 2026 EPS outlook, signaling earnings leverage remains fragile.
  • A sale process under activist pressure can stall strategy if buyers refuse $76-per-share pricing.

What makes Ashland unique

  • Ashland's permexa sodium caprate targets oral GLP-1 formulations with IP-protected processing.
  • Its VP&D portfolio gives cross-selling leverage across oral biologics and tablet coatings.
  • Ancora's July 27, 2026 settlement institutionalizes capital discipline and board-level pressure.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

401(k) Retirement Plan

Remote Work Options

Flexible Work Hours

Wellness Program

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

0%
Personal Care Magazine
Sep 4th, 2026
Evonik snaps up Justine Cotton to head global brand partnerships

Evonik snaps up Justine Cotton to head global brand partnerships. * September 04, 2026 Justine Cotton has joined Evonik from Ashland to be the German personal care ingredient maker's global brand partner and claims manager. France-based Cotton was with Ashland for the past 16 years, most recently as global marketing manager for biofunctionals. She joins Evonik's Actives Consumer Excellence unit, a global team of experts fostering collaboration and excellence. "I'm thrilled to bring my passion and expertise in longevity science and cosmetic actives to the Actives Consumer Excellence unit, and to embark on this new chapter with such an inspiring team," said Cotton. "What has already impressed me is the incredible combination of science, innovation, technologies and, above all, talented and knowledgeable people I'll have the opportunity to work with," she added. "I can already feel there is so much to learn, create and achieve together."

GlobeNewswire
Aug 31st, 2026
Ashland to host Innovation Day for analysts and investors.

Ashland to host Innovation Day for analysts and investors. August 31, 2026 18:30 ET | Source: Ashland, Inc. Wilmington, Del., Aug. 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) will host a live Innovation Day webcast for analysts and investors from Wilmington, Delaware on September 17, 2026. The event will provide an updated view of Ashland's Technology Platforms, including their commercial progress and scalability. Registration is required and can be accessed from the following link: innovationday26.ashland.com Participants will hear from Ashland executives and senior technology leaders as they provide an in-depth review of the latest innovations and expanding commercial opportunities. The presentations will detail how these advancements are poised to impact key markets and drive organic growth. Following formal remarks, participants will have the opportunity to engage directly in a moderated question and answer (Q&A) session. Ashland leaders presenting at the event include: * Guillermo Novo, chair, and chief executive officer * Osama Musa, senior vice president and chief technology officer * Jim Minicucci, senior vice president and general manager, personal care * Alessandra Faccin, senior vice president and general manager, life sciences and intermediates * Dago Caceres, senior vice president and general manager, specialty additives * William Whitaker, senior vice president and chief financial officer * Sandy Klugman, director, investor relations Presentations will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. ET and conclude after the Q&A session at approximately 11:00 a.m. ET. Registration information and further event details can be found on Ashland's investor website at http://investor.ashland.com A webcast of the event will be available live and can be accessed, along with supporting materials, through the Ashland website. A replay will be available within 24 hours of the live event and will be archived, along with supporting materials, on the Ashland website for 12 months. Copies of the presentation may also be requested by sending an email to [email protected] About Ashland Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global additives and specialty ingredients company with a conscious and proactive mindset for environmental, social and governance (ESG). The company serves customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including architectural coatings, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical. Approximately 2,900 passionate, tenacious solvers - from renowned scientists and research chemists to talented engineers and plant operators - thrive on developing practical, innovative and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers in more than 100 countries. Visit ashland.com and ashland.com/ESG to learn more. (TM) Trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: | Investor Relations: | Media Relations: | | Sandy Klugman | Carolmarie C. Brown | | +1 (302) 594-7777 | +1 (302) 995-3158 | | [email protected] | [email protected] | Attachments

Associated Press
Aug 24th, 2026
Ashland launches permexa sodium caprate to advance oral biologics delivery

Ashland has launched permexa sodium caprate, an intestinal permeation enhancer designed to support the development and commercialisation of oral peptide and biologic drug products, including GLP-1 agonists. The excipient addresses key challenges in oral drug delivery by combining permeability enhancement with improved manufacturing properties such as powder flow and compressibility. The launch responds to growing pharmaceutical investment in oral alternatives to injectable therapies, driven by patient convenience and treatment adherence benefits. Prior to the commercial launch, Ashland recorded engagement with multiple pharmaceutical, biotech, and contract development organisations globally through sampling activities and formulation development discussions. Ashland plans further expansion of its oral biologics portfolio. The company has additional products in development and intends to leverage synergies with its existing vinyl pyrrolidone and derivatives portfolio to strengthen its position in the oral biologics delivery market.

AgroPages.com
Aug 24th, 2026
[FAT2026 speaker]agrimer(tm) eco-disperse OD: A sustainable, non-aqueous dispersant based on transformed vegetable oils (TVO).

[FAT2026 speaker]agrimer(tm) eco-disperse OD: A sustainable, non-aqueous dispersant based on transformed vegetable oils (TVO). Aug. 24, 2026 Ashland inc. united states follow. AgroPages is pleased to announce that Jean J. (JJ) Gulka, Global Business Director for Crop Care at Ashland, and Kiel Moore, Global Technology Platform Leader for Crop Care at Ashland, will be featured speakers at the 7th Ag Formulation & Application Technology Congress (FAT 2026). The congress will take place on October 29-30, 2026, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. Ashland has been a Gold Sponsor of the FAT Congress for three consecutive years and will return this year to deliver a cutting-edge technical presentation. Addressing the industry's core challenge and delivering tangible value. The industry faces a critical dilemma: global regulators are phasing out microplastics in agricultural formulations, yet formulators cannot compromise on suspension stability, rainfastness, or cost-efficiency. Ashland's presentation tackles this head-on with agrimer(TM) eco-disperse OD, a nature-derived dispersant that delivers three key values: * Regulatory de-risking - Microplastic-free and inherently biodegradable (verified by OECD tests), offering a credible pathway to meet evolving global standards. * Seamless adoption - Integrates into existing manufacturing processes for oil dispersions without costly equipment changes. * Competitive cost-in-use - Delivers performance and sustainability at a cost structure that supports commercial viability and portfolio differentiation. What the presentation will cover. JJ Gulka and Kiel Moore will present "agrimer(TM) eco-disperse OD: a sustainable, non-aqueous dispersant based on transformed vegetable oils (TVO)." Derived from renewable vegetable oils, this non-aqueous dispersant is inherently biodegradable and contains zero microplastics. The session will share performance data demonstrating that agrimer(TM) eco-disperse OD: * Delivers a balanced suspension and dispersion performance, ensuring formulation consistency and robustness across different active ingredients * Provides excellent storage stability with minimal phase separation under varied temperature conditions * Enhances rainfastness, improving active ingredient retention on target crop surfaces following rainfall * Integrates seamlessly into oil dispersions and other non-aqueous formulations using standard manufacturing equipment * Offers a bio-based solution that supports sustainability goals while maintaining a competitive cost-in-use profile Attendees will gain practical insights into how this technology can be incorporated into their own formulation workflows, along with real-world case studies illustrating its performance across different active ingredients and crop scenarios. About the speakers. Jean J. (JJ) Gulka, M.Eng, MBA,Global Business Director, Crop Care Ashland Jean (JJ) is the Global Business Director for Crop Care at Ashland, based in Bridgewater, New Jersey, USA. He leads the company's global agrochemical business strategy across NA, LATAM, EMEA, and APAC, with responsibility for business growth, innovation commercialization, and strategic customer partnerships. JJ has extensive experience in agricultural formulation technologies, including seed treatment, adjuvants, biologicals, and specialty ingredients. He works closely with leading agrochemical companies worldwide to develop sustainable solutions that enhance formulation performance, regulatory compliance, and market differentiation. At Ashland, JJ drives the commercialization of innovative technologies, including sustainable seed coating platforms, advanced wetting agents, and next-generation dispersants. He partners across commercial, technical, regulatory, manufacturing, and marketing teams to translate innovation into profitable growth opportunities. He is passionate about building strong customer relationships, developing high-performing teams, and delivering solutions that create long-term value for customers and Ashland. JJ holds a master's degree in Chemical Engineering from INSA-ITECH Lyon, France, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from UOP. Kiel Moore, Global Technology Platform Leader, Crop Care Ashland Kiel Moore leads research and innovation activities within Ashland's Crop Care business, and is focused on developing sustainable formulation technologies for agricultural applications. His expertise includes bio-based polymers, renewable ingredients, crop protection formulations and delivery systems that enhance performance and sustainability. He collaborates with leading agricultural companies to bring innovative technologies from concept to commercialization and is a co-inventor on multiple patents in formulation and agricultural technology. Kiel holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from West Texas A&M University. FAT 2026 adheres to the core philosophy of "Global Vision, Local Innovation," focusing on the entire industry chain - formulation R&D innovation, adjuvant technology iteration, complex formulation breakthroughs, biological formulation commercialization, and process engineering upgrades. The congress precisely dissects the core pain points within each segment and delivers actionable industry solutions to drive the sector's leapfrog upgrading. This is your premier platform to exchange cutting-edge research, discover transformative technologies, and build meaningful partnerships with global experts. Agropages cordially invite you to join Agropages in Hangzhou to advance the high-quality development of the crop protection formulation industry.

Today in New York
Aug 24th, 2026
Ashland advances high-growth oral biologics delivery applications with launch of permexa(TM) sodium caprate.

Ashland advances high-growth oral biologics delivery applications with launch of permexa(TM) sodium caprate. Commercialization follows strong interest from pharmaceutical developers worldwide. WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), is announcing the launch of permexa(TM) sodium caprate, a high-performance intestinal permeation enhancer designed to support the scalable development and commercialization of oral peptide, biologic and low-permeability drug products, including rapidly expanding GLP-1 agonists and related therapeutic pipelines. The launch comes at a time of significant market momentum in oral peptide and biologics development. Pharmaceutical companies continue to invest heavily in oral alternatives to injectable therapies, driven by the potential to improve patient convenience, enhance treatment adherence and unlock new therapeutic opportunities. As a result, pipelines across GLP-1's, diabetes and weight loss, metabolic disorders, endocrine therapeutics and other peptide-based medicines continue to expand. Developers continue to face important challenges as programs move from concept through development and manufacturing, despite growing investment and encouraging clinical progress. Permeability enhancement remains critical for oral drug products, but formulation consistency, process robustness and scalability are increasingly recognized as key barriers to successful commercialization. Ashland permexa(TM) sodium caprate was engineered to help address these challenges by combining established sodium caprate functionality with improved pharmaceutical processing performance. The excipient is designed with an IP-protected process to support more robust tablet manufacturing through improved powder flow, enhanced compressibility and greater formulation consistency, while maintaining the permeability enhancement characteristics required for oral drug delivery applications. The result is a solution intended not only for laboratory success, but also for real-world pharmaceutical development and manufacturing environments where reproducibility, scalability and process robustness are essential. The Ashland launch follows strong interest from pharmaceutical developers worldwide. Ahead of the commercial launch, the company recorded engagement with multiple pharmaceutical, biotech and CDMO organizations globally, spanning sampling activities, technical evaluations, pre-launch sales, benchmarking studies and formulation development discussions. Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive on the product's differentiated properties. "The rapid growth of oral peptide development is creating demand for excipients that support both biological performance and pharmaceutical manufacturability," said Alessandra Faccin, senior vice president and general manager, Life Sciences, Ashland. "Permexa(TM) sodium caprate was engineered to help customers address complex challenges and move more confidently from formulation through commercialization. The level of engagement we have seen prior to launch demonstrates the importance of solutions that support both drug delivery performance and scalable manufacturing." Caroline Cooreman, strategy director, Life Sciences, Ashland, continued, "Consequently, Ashland is not stopping here. We have developed a multi-stage strategy to support the pharmaceutical market with essential excipients for the oral delivery of biologics. We have multiple additional products in the pipeline and recognize important synergies with our vinyl pyrrolidone and derivatives (VP&D) portfolio. We are already actively servicing this market with our established VP&D portfolio, which will be further strengthened by our oral biologics' portfolio expansion," she concluded. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Ashland has identified some of these forward-looking statements with words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "estimates," "is likely," "predicts," "projects," "forecasts," "objectives," "may," "will," "should," "plans" and "intends" and the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. Ashland may from time to time make forward-looking statements in its Annual Report to Stockholders, quarterly reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), news releases and other written and oral communications. These forward-looking statements are based on Ashland's expectations and assumptions, as of the date such statements are made, regarding Ashland's future operating performance and financial condition, its strategy as well as the economy and other future events or circumstances. The risks and uncertainties Today in New York face which may cause its actual results to differ materially from the results expressed, projected, or implied in these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: Ashland's aggressive growth goals and the extent to which such goals may be impacted by a failure to optimize its tangible and intangible assets, a failure to identify and integrate acquisition targets, any unexpected costs and liabilities associated with such acquisitions, and goodwill impairment; business disruptions stemming from natural, operational, and other catastrophic events, including disruptions to supply and logistics functions, manufacturing delays, and information technology system and network failures; climate change and related resource impacts; changes in consumer preferences and a reduction in demand for Ashland's products; risks inherent in operating a global business, including tariffs and other trade policies, geopolitical instability and armed conflict, and challenges associated with hiring and managing a diverse workforce across countries with differing laws, regulations, and cultural practices; economic downturns and disruptions in the financial markets; Ashland's substantial indebtedness, including the possibility that such indebtedness and related restrictive covenants may adversely affect its future cash flows, limit its ability to repay debt and obtain future financing, place Ashland at a competitive disadvantage, and make Today in New York more vulnerable to interest rate increases; its ability to develop and market new products and remain competitive in the markets in which Today in New York operate; its ability to pass increases in the costs of energy and raw materials to customers and to fulfill its contractual requirements with customers and vendors; downward pressures on prices and margins; the ability to attract and retain key employees and to provide for effective succession planning; cybersecurity risks, including disruptions to or failures in Ashland's information technology systems and networks, malicious cyberattacks, and the inadvertent or accidental disclosure or loss of proprietary or sensitive information; Ashland's ability to effectively protect and enforce its intellectual property rights; exposure to products liability claims; risks related to compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations, including the potential for costly litigation, remediation, and settlement actions; exposure to pending and threatened asbestos-related litigation; changes in the legal and regulatory landscapes in which Today in New York operate; and changes in taxation or adverse tax rulings. These risks and uncertainties also include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of Ashland's most recent Form 10-K, and in its other periodic reports filed with the SEC. Ashland believes its expectations and assumptions are reasonable, but there can be no assurance that the expectations reflected herein will be achieved. Unless legally required, Ashland undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements made in this presentation whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information on Ashland's website is not incorporated into or a part of this presentation. About Ashland Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global additives and specialty ingredients company with a conscious and proactive mindset for environmental, social and governance (ESG). The company serves customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including architectural coatings, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical. Approximately 2,900 passionate, tenacious solvers - from renowned scientists and research chemists to talented engineers and plant operators - thrive on developing practical, innovative and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers in more than 100 countries. Visit ashland.com and ashland.com/ESG to learn more. (TM) Trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: | Investor Relations: | Media Relations: | | Sandy Klugman | Carolmarie C. Brown | | +1 (302) 594-7777 | +1 (302) 995-3158 | | [email protected] | [email protected] | Attachments Ashland permexa(TM) sodium caprate. Ashland advances high-growth oral biologics delivery applications with launch of permexa(TM) sodium caprate to support the scalable development and commercialization of oral peptide, biologic and low-permeability drug products, including rapidly expanding GLP-1 agonists and related therapeutic pipelines. Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. Today in New York do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.