Operations Leader Jobs in Washington
Operations Leader jobs in Washington are in strong demand, concentrated in technology and cloud infrastructure, aerospace and defense manufacturing, logistics and e-commerce fulfillment, and healthcare systems, at seniority levels from shift supervisor to vice president of operations. Seattle, Bellevue, and Tacoma account for the largest share of openings, where employers such as Amazon, Boeing, and Providence Health have deep and ongoing needs for operations leaders across functions. The most sought-after specialties in Washington are supply chain operations, continuous improvement and lean transformation, and large-scale facilities and workforce management. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Operations Leader JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 7+ Operations Leader jobs
Sulfur Recovery Operations Leader
Location: Anacortes, WA
Reports to: Operations Manager
Compensation: $110,000 - $115,000 + Bonus + Benefits
At Chemtrade, people and safety come first. We deliver essential chemistry with an unwavering focus on environmental stewardship and sustainable performance. If you thrive on guiding teams, optimizing complex processes, and keeping operations safe and compliant, this role is for you.
Your Day
Morning shift change wraps up and you review the prior 24 hours: emissions readings, unit rates, and quality metrics. You huddle with operators at the sulphur production facility to align on operating limits, then walk the unit—listening, observing, and coaching. The day brings a mix of troubleshooting, mentoring, and coordinating with maintenance and engineering to keep the Sulfur Recovery Unit running reliably and within permit.
Scope and Impact
- Provide direct, safe day-to-day leadership for operations personnel at our Anacortes, WA sulphur production facility.
- Champion Responsible Care initiatives and ensure compliance across air, water, and solid waste requirements.
- Continuously improve procedures, training, and operating discipline to drive safety, quality, and cost performance.
- Balance production schedules, raw material usage, and budgets to meet departmental goals.
Key Responsibilities (Time Allocation)
- 30% — Lead production execution:
- Operate within unit limits and regulatory permits; monitor data daily and investigate deviations.
- Deliver technical coaching and process knowledge to operators; track unit rates and consumption.
- Control operating costs and initiate process and production improvements.
- 20% — Work order quality and approvals:
- Ensure accurate work order entry and approvals.
- Partner with the Operations Manager to elevate operating discipline and effectiveness.
- Provide vacation relief for the Operations Manager and Acid Plant Operations Supervisor.
- Be on-call on regular weeknights for SRU-related issues and rotate in the weekend duty roster.
- 10% — Troubleshooting:
- Diagnose and resolve equipment and operating issues; monitor environmental emissions and wastewater discharge.
- 10% — Workforce training and readiness:
- Support all required training initiatives; ensure operators complete regulatory, safety, and environmental training.
- 5% — Procedure ownership: Maintain accurate operating procedures with periodic reviews and updates for process/equipment changes.
- 5% — Risk and audit actions: Contribute to PHA and MOC reviews; support Regulatory, Environmental, Safety, and ISO audits; drive completion of action items from audits and incidents.
- 5% — Safety leadership: Lead/attend safety meetings and area inspections; ensure closure of all follow-up items.
- 5% — Project support: Assist Maintenance and Engineering on project design and unit evaluations for process improvements.
- 5% — Other duties as assigned
- 5% — LOTO/ECP oversight: Oversee and manage LOTO/ECP during routine maintenance, projects, and Turnaround activities.
Qualifications
- High school diploma required; additional education preferred.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.
- Technical training in Process Safety Management and Hazardous Materials.
- 5–7 years in a highly hazardous chemical plant; SRU experience preferred.
Physical Demands
- Stand for long periods; occasional stair climbing; at times remain in one position.
- Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
- Close vision and color recognition required.
- Capable of extended periods of standing and sitting; must be fit for duty.
- Collaborative team player; safety is an absolute requirement.
Work Environment
- Adhere to all company safety requirements.
- Work in confined or awkward spaces; outdoor and noisy areas.
- Exposure to dusty conditions and chemical odors; able to work in adverse weather.
- Periodic work in a laboratory setting.
Life at Chemtrade
We embrace diverse ideas and backgrounds, foster Employee Resource Groups, and support growth and career development. Discover more in the Chemtrade Benefits Highlight Booklet _Come Work With Us. Join a team where innovation, inclusion, and well-being power our success.
Sulfur Recovery Operations Leader
Location: Anacortes, WA
Reports to: Operations Manager
Compensation: $110,000 - $115,000 + Bonus + Benefits
At Chemtrade, people and safety come first. We deliver essential chemistry with an unwavering focus on environmental stewardship and sustainable performance. If you thrive on guiding teams, optimizing complex processes, and keeping operations safe and compliant, this role is for you.
Your Day
Morning shift change wraps up and you review the prior 24 hours: emissions readings, unit rates, and quality metrics. You huddle with operators at the sulphur production facility to align on operating limits, then walk the unit—listening, observing, and coaching. The day brings a mix of troubleshooting, mentoring, and coordinating with maintenance and engineering to keep the Sulfur Recovery Unit running reliably and within permit.
Scope and Impact
- Provide direct, safe day-to-day leadership for operations personnel at our Anacortes, WA sulphur production facility.
- Champion Responsible Care initiatives and ensure compliance across air, water, and solid waste requirements.
- Continuously improve procedures, training, and operating discipline to drive safety, quality, and cost performance.
- Balance production schedules, raw material usage, and budgets to meet departmental goals.
Key Responsibilities (Time Allocation)
- 30% — Lead production execution:
- Operate within unit limits and regulatory permits; monitor data daily and investigate deviations.
- Deliver technical coaching and process knowledge to operators; track unit rates and consumption.
- Control operating costs and initiate process and production improvements.
- 20% — Work order quality and approvals:
- Ensure accurate work order entry and approvals.
- Partner with the Operations Manager to elevate operating discipline and effectiveness.
- Provide vacation relief for the Operations Manager and Acid Plant Operations Supervisor.
- Be on-call on regular weeknights for SRU-related issues and rotate in the weekend duty roster.
- 10% — Troubleshooting:
- Diagnose and resolve equipment and operating issues; monitor environmental emissions and wastewater discharge.
- 10% — Workforce training and readiness:
- Support all required training initiatives; ensure operators complete regulatory, safety, and environmental training.
- 5% — Procedure ownership: Maintain accurate operating procedures with periodic reviews and updates for process/equipment changes.
- 5% — Risk and audit actions: Contribute to PHA and MOC reviews; support Regulatory, Environmental, Safety, and ISO audits; drive completion of action items from audits and incidents.
- 5% — Safety leadership: Lead/attend safety meetings and area inspections; ensure closure of all follow-up items.
- 5% — Project support: Assist Maintenance and Engineering on project design and unit evaluations for process improvements.
- 5% — Other duties as assigned
- 5% — LOTO/ECP oversight: Oversee and manage LOTO/ECP during routine maintenance, projects, and Turnaround activities.
Qualifications
- High school diploma required; additional education preferred.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.
- Technical training in Process Safety Management and Hazardous Materials.
- 5–7 years in a highly hazardous chemical plant; SRU experience preferred.
Physical Demands
- Stand for long periods; occasional stair climbing; at times remain in one position.
- Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
- Close vision and color recognition required.
- Capable of extended periods of standing and sitting; must be fit for duty.
- Collaborative team player; safety is an absolute requirement.
Work Environment
- Adhere to all company safety requirements.
- Work in confined or awkward spaces; outdoor and noisy areas.
- Exposure to dusty conditions and chemical odors; able to work in adverse weather.
- Periodic work in a laboratory setting.
Life at Chemtrade
We embrace diverse ideas and backgrounds, foster Employee Resource Groups, and support growth and career development. Discover more in the Chemtrade Benefits Highlight Booklet _Come Work With Us. Join a team where innovation, inclusion, and well-being power our success.
See All 7 Operations Leader Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Operations Leader JobsOperations Leader Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Operations Leader Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in operations leader jobs across Washington.
- Bachelor's degree in business, operations management, supply chain, or a related field
- Five or more years of progressive operations or people leadership experience
- Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional teams of twenty or more employees
- Proficiency with lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies
- Familiarity with Washington labor law, including paid sick leave and scheduling compliance
- Strong data analysis skills using ERP systems, dashboards, or workforce management platforms
Operations Leader Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a operations leader in Washington?
Most operations leader roles in Washington require a bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, industrial engineering, or operations management, combined with several years of progressive team leadership experience. Washington does not require a state-issued license specific to operations leadership. Employers in aerospace, healthcare, and logistics often favor candidates who hold a Project Management Professional credential, a Lean Six Sigma certification, or industry-specific credentials such as APICS certifications in supply chain management.
Which companies hire operations leaders in Washington?
Companies currently hiring operations leaders in Washington include Blue Origin, Bibibop, and Sephora, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Washington's concentration of large technology campuses, aerospace production facilities, and regional health systems creates consistent, high-volume demand for experienced operations leaders across the state.
Which Washington cities have the most operations leader jobs?
Seattle, DuPont, and Everett have the most operations leader openings in Washington. Seattle and Bellevue drive the majority of postings because of their dense cluster of technology headquarters, e-commerce fulfillment infrastructure, and major hospital networks, while Tacoma's port activity and manufacturing base sustain steady demand in logistics and industrial operations leadership.
How can I get hired as a operations leader in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving into an associate or team lead role at a large Washington employer and building toward an operations leader title from within. Amazon, Boeing, and Providence Health all run structured rotational, new-graduate, or internal promotion programs that place candidates without direct operations leadership experience into supervisory tracks. Relevant adjacent roles include operations coordinator, shift supervisor, project coordinator, and supply chain analyst. Earning an APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management credential or completing a Lean Six Sigma yellow or green belt course strengthens an application considerably.
Where can I find and apply to operations leader jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to operations leader jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Find roles that match your experience and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 7 Operations Leader Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Operations Leader Jobs