Operations Manager

Responsibilities

• Establishes operational standards for cost control, waste reduction, quality, safety, and complete/on time delivery.
• Ledds daily production activities, including labor planning, production scheduling, and material control to meet customer and organizational requirements.
• Directs implementation and execution of manufacturing policies and Lean Manufacturing practices across the organization.
• Ensures production follows all quality standards and customer specifications.
• Builds, develops, and manages the operations leadership team to execute operational strategies and strengthen employee relations.
• Promotes a culture of mutual respect, teamwork, accountability, and ownership at all levels of the organization.
• Provides leadership for problem resolution to drive rapid improvements and enhance working relationships.
• Provides leadership through a 6–12-month planning cycle and contributes to long-range (1–2 year) operational planning.
• Oversees the operations budget to ensure compliance with organizational expenditure requirements.
• Ensures compliance with state, federal, and environmental regulations, including wastewater, chemical handling, and related programs.
• Leads or participates in safety programs, including training, incident investigation, and workers’ compensation processes.
• Manages direct employees’ schedules, vacation, and attendance through the company’s time management system.
• Safeguards company policies and, where applicable, union contract provisions.
• Supports and drives 5S initiatives and overall plant cleanliness.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum five years of operations leadership experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment; automotive experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead people and achieve results through others.
• Strong planning capability, including the ability to think ahead and plan over a 1–2-year horizon.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with manufacturing systems development and deployment.
• Strong problem-solving skills at both strategic and functional levels.
• Technical knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, process improvement, materials management, freight and distribution, and production scheduling.
• Experience with employee training and development programs.
• Strong customer orientation and commitment to company values.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience working in a union environment is preferred or required depending on location.

Physical Requirements

• Walking, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, twisting, lifting, pushing, and pulling.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds or more.
• Ability to respond to plant-wide announcements and navigate a manufacturing environment.

Environmental Job Requirements

• Exposure to forklifts and heavy equipment traffic.
• Dusty or noisy conditions typical of a manufacturing environment.
• Temperature fluctuations due to open doors or outdoor work.
• Potential exposure to slippery floors, coolants, oils, fumes, and hazardous materials.
• Handling parts with sharp edges may be required.

Personal Protective Equipment

• Safety glasses are required on the shop floor.
• Additional PPE as required by specific tasks or areas.