Operations Management Development Program
Vulcan Materials · Herndon
Job Summary
The Operations Management Development Program is an approximate four-year track designed to prepare candidates for a Plant Manager role. The actual duration of the program depends on individual experience and performance. Throughout the program, candidates will start with limited supervisory duties and take on larger leadership roles and responsibilities as you progress through checkpoints. Throughout the program you may be expected to work at different operations facilities. Additionally, the role will include travel to expose candidates.
What You Will Do & Learn
● Project Ownership: Candidates will have full responsibility of an operations based project in their first 6 months. Candidates are expected to deliver positive business results, and present their experience to leadership.
● Hands-on Technical Training: Gain deep exposure to core mining and aggregate processing operations, including Quality Control, Plant Maintenance, Mobile Equipment Maintenance, Drilling & Blasting, Loading & Hauling, and Engineering. Candidates will also spend extensive time on-site at one or more plants to master facility management.
● Business & Leadership Development: Participate in dedicated management training to develop proficiency in operational planning, resource allocation, and personnel management. Gain high-level exposure to essential business administration functions, including Budgeting, Finance, Sales, Human Resources, and Safety & Health.
● Career Trajectory & Compensation: This role features a structured, milestone-driven pathway toward operations management. As you successfully fulfill the requirements of each milestone and demonstrate readiness for advancement, your operational responsibilities and compensation will scale accordingly.
0-6 Months: Supervisor – OMD (Project management)
6 Months-1 Year: Supervisor – OMD (Limited supervisory role)
1 Year-2 Years: Supervisor – OMD (Increased supervisory responsibilities)
2-4 Years: Asst Plant Manager to Plant Manager
Essential Functions
- Work Coordination: Assist in planning schedules and assigning tasks to meet daily operational goals.
- Personnel Support: Support management with performance reviews, employee relations, and general staffing recommendations.
- Training Support: Help facilitate or coordinate employee training regarding standard work and safety procedures.
- Operational Optimization: Learn to analyze production, pit, and plant data to support resource optimization and efficiency strategies.
- Resource & Inventory Management: Understand critical inventory strategies to support operational decision-making.
- Commercial Support: Collaborate with commercial and sales teams to understand market demands and support customer fulfillment requirements.
- Compliance Monitoring: Participate in company Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) programs to assist with regulatory compliance, permits, and site inspection protocols.
- Operational Progression: Learn facility operations from the ground up while advancing through progressive leadership roles.
- Leadership Training: Participate in designated development programs to build technical, management, and leadership skills.
- Project Management: Coordinate and support assigned special projects as needed.
- Relationship Building: Maintain positive, cooperative working relationships with internal teams, external partners, and local community stakeholders.
- Information Management: Maintain required operational records and documentation using internal systems.
Critical Competencies
- Team Leadership & Development: Ability to build cohesive, productive site teams by aligning individual strengths with plant operational goals.
- Collaboration & Respect: Drives a cooperative culture by fostering open communication, active listening, and mutual respect among diverse crews and departments.
- Effective Communication: Conveys operational goals and safety messages with clarity and confidence, ensuring impact and credibility across internal teams and external partners.
- Driving Operational Purpose: Promotes performance excellence and personal engagement by connecting daily plant goals to the company's broader vision and values.
- Safety & Environmental Stewardship: Commitment to upholding workplace safety culture and environmental compliance through active hazard awareness, risk mitigation, and team engagement.
- Operational & Tactical Vision: Gaining insight into industry trends and operational efficiencies to support long-term plant value and sustainable workflows.