Manufacturing Operations Group Leader

Manufacturing Operations Group Leader

A day in the role

You start by walking the floor, greeting a team you’ve mentored to be safe, reliable, and proud of their craft. A quick safety huddle and EHS refresher set the tone. You review today’s production plan, align labor to demand within the bargaining unit contract, and confirm material flow with planning. Mid-morning, you coach a new supervisor through a 6S audit, then join engineering and quality to remove a bottleneck. After lunch, you dissect operating reports to eliminate waste, adjust schedules to handle an urgent customer change, and document feedback and development goals from your check-ins. Before you leave, you finalize production reports, validate inventory accuracy with the warehouse, and map out tomorrow’s contingency plans.

How we define leadership success

• Anticipation: Ask the right questions, prepare operations for flawless execution, and partner in planning to forecast needs.
• Reliability: Lead by example, communicate goals and metrics, champion a safe workplace, and operate within the bargaining unit agreement.
• Optimizer: Drive process improvements that increase output and quality, cut waste, align resources, and enable teammates to succeed.
• Facilitator: Serve as the conduit among planning, management, and production; provide clear, accurate work instructions to internal and external stakeholders.
• Responsiveness: Tackle unplanned issues decisively, flex labor schedules, and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Influence: Delegate with clarity, explain the why behind decisions, remain approachable, and navigate conflict and change effectively.
• Organization & structure: Orchestrate daily operations, coordinate resources for on-time delivery, balance competing projects, and build contingency paths.
• Observation: Monitor workflows and performance, protect schedule accuracy and production quality, keep customers satisfied, and act quickly on insights.
• Ownership: Take accountability for business and team results while inspiring the same in others.

What you’ll lead

• Build a high-performing team through meetings, performance reviews, staffing oversight, and career development.
• Motivate, coach, and train to maximize quality, productivity, morale, and collaboration.
• Provide consistent feedback and document disciplinary actions appropriately.
• Mentor new supervisors to strengthen leadership capability across the area.
• Direct employee orientation and EHS training to reinforce a culture of safety and excellence.
• Maintain compliance with collective bargaining agreements; liaise with union officials and resolve grievances.
• Uphold company policies, procedures, and practices.
• Schedule production and assign work teams based on operational requirements.
• Analyze production/operating reports to surface inefficiencies; act to prevent delays and minimize cost.
• Advance EHS awareness, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Implement and sustain ABS principles and 6S initiatives; conduct routine safety and 6S audits.
• Partner with other departments to manage product flow and protect inventory accuracy.
• Serve as an information resource, ensuring teams understand company policies and initiatives.
• Respond to emergencies, troubleshoot issues, and recommend corrective actions.
• Prepare and analyze operational documentation and production reports.
• Refine work procedures for safety, efficiency, and compliance.
• Develop and implement new methods to improve operations, reduce costs, and optimize labor/material utilization.
• Collaborate with management, engineering, and quality to resolve maintenance and production challenges and to drive process improvements.
• Assist with operational budgeting and goal setting.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support business objectives.

Compensation and benefits

• Base salary: $72,000 – $88,000 annually
• Performance bonus: Annual incentive tied to strategic KPIs and operational goals
• Shift premium: $350 per additional shift worked
• Holiday premium: $700 for working designated holidays
• Schedule: Required to work one weekend per month
• Relocation assistance: Available
• Comprehensive benefits:
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) with employer match
  • Paid time off including vacation, holidays, and sick leave
  • Professional development and continuing education support
  • Employee wellness and assistance programs

Qualifications

Basic

• High School Diploma or GED from an accredited institution
• Minimum of 3 years of leadership experience

Preferred

• Supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment
• Knowledge of TPM, Synchronous Manufacturing, and Kaizen
• Proven communication and team-building skills at all levels
• Able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, technical setting
• Energetic self-starter who promotes and implements change
• Proficient with PC applications and documentation management
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and people skills
• Commitment to fostering a continuous improvement culture

Legal

• Legally authorized to work in the United States (no visa sponsorship available)