Operations Manager

Our client is seeking an experienced and results-driven manufacturing leader to champion operational excellence, ensure customer satisfaction, and drive continuous improvement across all plant performance metrics, including quality, productivity, cycle time, delivery, and cash flow. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong leadership skills and a deep understanding of manufacturing processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Safety & Compliance

  • Ensure adherence to all safety regulations and department-specific requirements.
  • Promote a clean, safe work environment and address safety issues or non-compliances immediately.
  • Encourage Injury Free Event (IFE) reporting and foster a culture of safety.

• Operational Excellence

  • Improve manufacturing planning, execution, and shop floor discipline.
  • Drive improvements in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and production value-added by department.
  • Achieve daily shipment targets and contribute to profit and revenue goals.
  • Maintain excellent delivery performance and conduct capacity analysis to ensure accurate standards.

• Continuous Improvement & Lean Leadership

  • Lead plant-wide lean manufacturing initiatives and identify opportunities to eliminate waste.
  • Implement process improvements to enhance product flow and reduce labor content.
  • Apply constraint management techniques to exploit bottlenecks and improve OEE.
  • Use lean tools to reduce WIP and cycle time.

• Leadership & Development

  • Provide leadership and training for team leaders, cell facilitators, supervisors, and other manufacturing support personnel.
  • Promote professional and personal growth within the team.
  • Maintain strong communication and relationships with customers, staff, and management.

• Strategic Planning & Financial Accountability

  • Collaborate with plant management to develop budgets, strategic plans, and team objectives aligned with business priorities.
  • Cascade goals and objectives throughout the organization.
  • Drive cost reductions to improve profitability and ensure accountability for department budgets.

• Technical Collaboration

  • Consult with engineering teams on process modifications to improve production efficiency and product quality.
  • Contribute to location-specific and corporate teams as needed.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED and:
  • Minimum 7 years in manufacturing with 5 years in leadership, OR
  • 3 years in leadership with at least 1 year of experience leading other leaders in operations within a castings plant.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Employment eligibility verification required at time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Experience in the investment casting industry is a plus.
• Proven ability to drive improvement through lean manufacturing principles, total quality practices, and Six Sigma.
• Strong technical understanding of manufacturing processes.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, interpersonal, organizational, and negotiation skills.
• Financial literacy and experience managing budgets.
• Familiarity with tooling, molds, and dies related to investment casting, injection molding, or stamping industries is preferred.