Operations Manager Trainee

About the Role

Trulite Glass & Aluminum Solutions’ Leadership Development Program (LDP) is a fast-track, full-immersion training experience designed to identify and develop early-career professionals with the character, drive, and leadership potential to become the next generation of Operations Managers. This is not a support role—it is built for individuals who are ready to lead from day one.

Responsibilities

• Shadow and support the Regional Vice President and Operations Managers in daily branch operations including production, maintenance, quality, safety, and shipping/receiving.
• Learn full P&L accountability for a branch location; understand how financial decisions translate to operational outcomes.
• Assist in implementing cost-effective systems of control over capital expenditures, labor allocation, overtime, and operating costs.
• Own a region-specific project driving key metric improvement and measured results.
• Communicate Trulite’s strategic vision clearly to branch management teams and regularly with senior management and support functions.
• Assess plant-level operational inefficiencies and develop actionable proposals that drive measurable improvement.
• Learn and apply Trulite Production System (TPS) principles; train plant staff on TPS methodology, department-specific applications, and the benefits of standardization.
• Monitor production floor flow; identify and help resolve bottlenecks across all fabrication departments.
• Support 5S implementation across plant floors: ensure WIP, finished product, and finished goods areas are properly organized, labeled, and maintained.
• Develop working knowledge of glass fabrication processes—including cutting, breakout procedures, furnace operations, Osprey systems, and IG line management.
• Partner with the corporate IT team to support reporting improvements; train branch managers on existing tools and help develop new reports that increase operational visibility.
• Focus on labor productivity and capacity planning as primary support functions.
• Provide active leadership, coaching, and direction to production supervisors, maintenance managers, and plant leadership throughout program rotations.
• Model and reinforce Trulite’s culture of diversity, inclusion, and mutual respect at every level of the organization.
• Lead by example in enforcing company policies, procedures, and operational standards.
• Identify development opportunities for team members; actively mentor and build a succession pipeline.
• Address employee complaints, resolve workplace conflicts, and drive positive team engagement.
• Maintain full OSHA compliance; champion a zero-incident safety culture within every facility assigned.
• Perform all other job-related duties as requested.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience; this is an early-career program designed for high-potential emerging leaders.
• Any operations, manufacturing, industrial, or plant-floor experience is a strong plus—internships and co-ops included.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in any context: academic, athletic, military, community, or professional.
• Understanding of—or strong desire to learn—financial statements, P&L management, and data-driven business decision-making.
• Background with manufacturing methods, process improvement programs (Lean, 5S, TPS), or continuous improvement frameworks.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; equally comfortable presenting to executives and coaching front-line employees.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); advanced Excel preferred.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and employee development instincts.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) a plus.
• Must be willing and able to relocate to a Trulite plant within the hiring region upon program completion.
• Travel required and flexible on shift or weekend work.

Benefits

• Immediate access to comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.
• Short/long-term disability coverage for non-occupational injuries.
• Comprehensive wellness initiative and progressive financial training program.
• 100% vested 401k employer match after one year of employment.
• Employer-matched Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions for both employee and family coverage, vested immediately at 100%.
• Trulite bears most of the cost of benefits, emphasizing both physical and financial well-being.