Operations Execution Manager

About the role

At Great Dane, we rely on makers and are calling on them to join our expanding team. The Operations Execution Manager is a high-impact enterprise role responsible for driving operational performance, leading critical initiatives, and supporting plant execution across the manufacturing network. This role is a key component of the organization’s leadership pipeline: Level I & II are designed to develop future Plant Managers. This position partners with Plant Managers and enterprise leaders to solve complex operational challenges, improve performance, and ensure alignment to company strategy.

Responsibilities

Level I – Focus on execution, learning the business, and building readiness for Plant Manager.

• Partners with Plant Managers to support daily execution and performance improvement
• Identifies operational gaps and contribute to solutions
• Supports stabilization efforts at underperforming plants
• Leads defined workstreams or smaller initiatives within larger projects
• Executes against established timelines and deliverables
• Partners with Engineering, Finance, Sales, and HR to support execution
• Builds foundational ability to influence without authority
• Participates in deployment assignments to support plant needs
• Contributes to problem-solving in fast-paced environments
• Builds understanding of plant operations, metrics, and leadership expectations
• Develops leadership and operational decision-making capability
• Other duties as assigned

Level II – Focus on leading initiatives, driving outcomes, and readiness for Plant Manager.

• Leads operational improvement efforts across departments or projects
• Drives measurable performance improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost
• Serves as a trusted partner to Plant Managers
• Owns and leads initiatives with clear business impact
• Ensures alignment across stakeholders and functions
• Leads coordination across Sales, Finance, Engineering, and HR
• Resolves competing priorities and drive aligned decisions
• Leads SWAT workstreams or deployments with accountability for results
• Steps into interim leadership roles as needed
• Supports team leadership, performance management, and execution
• Demonstrates readiness for Plant Manager role
• Builds financial acumen and enterprise-level thinking
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).

• Strong leadership experience in manufacturing or operations environments
• Proven ability to drive results in fast-paced, complex environments
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to influence across functions and levels
• Travel: Up to 50%

Qualifications

Level I Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing or operations leadership positions
• Demonstrated ability to execute projects and support improvements
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Emerging leadership and collaboration capability

Level II Experience:

• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing or operations leadership positions
• Proven track record of leading initiatives with measurable impact
• Strong cross-functional leadership and influence
• Ability to operate independently in ambiguous environments
• Demonstrated readiness for Plant Manager role

Skills

Physical/Mental Requirements: Office and plant environment. Keyboarding, lifting, standing, bending, walking. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

About Great Dane

With a history dating back to 1900, Great Dane has established itself as a transportation solutions leader of today – delivering innovative products and exceptional services that help our customers and employees succeed. We not only engineer durable and high-quality trailers and truck bodies; we foster relationships that last a lifetime.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Benefits, including but not limited to dental, vision, and medical with employer contributions
• Retirement programs, including a Pension Plan and 401(k) Plan with employer match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid holidays and vacation

Pay

The expected salary range for this role is $85,957 - $128,935 per year. The above represents the expected salary range for this job requisition. Ultimately, in determining your exact pay, we may also consider your skills, experience, and other job-related factors.