Plant Operations Manager

Job Description

As the Operations Manager at a marine air-conditioning manufacturing facility, you will play a pivotal role in leading day-to-day operations while driving continuous improvement across safety, quality, productivity, and cost. This role is ideal for a hands-on leader with a strong foundation in Lean Manufacturing and a passion for developing people and processes to achieve operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership: Oversee all aspects of daily manufacturing operations to ensure efficient production, on-time delivery, and adherence to quality and safety standards.
• Lean & Continuous Improvement: Champion Lean Manufacturing principles, implementing process improvements that eliminate waste, increase throughput, and enhance workplace organization.
• Strategic Execution: Partner with the General Manager to develop and execute operational strategies that align with overall business goals.
• Team Development: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of supervisors and production staff, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and engagement.
• Production & Workflow Management: Monitor production schedules and system performance to identify and resolve bottlenecks, ensuring smooth workflow and optimal resource utilization.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Supply Chain, Quality, Engineering, and Sales to integrate operations with order management, logistics, and customer fulfillment processes.
• Quality & Compliance: Ensure all products meet internal and industry quality standards, while maintaining compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations.
• Cost & Resource Management: Prepare, monitor, and manage operational budgets, focusing on efficiency, waste reduction, and cost optimization.
• Supply Chain Coordination: Collaborate with procurement and logistics to ensure consistent supply of raw materials and timely component delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field (MBA or Six Sigma certification a plus).
• 7+ years of progressive operations or manufacturing leadership experience.
• Proven success implementing Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, quality systems, and EHS compliance.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in HVAC, marine, or related manufacturing industries preferred.