Operations Manager

TITLE

Operations Manager 

REPORTING TO:

Director, Global Supply Chain

SUPERVISORY RESPONSBILITIES

Master Gardner Custom Roller Shade Manufacturing Operation

LOCATION

Charlotte, NC (Hybrid Schedule)

THE COMPANY

From humble beginnings, GALE Pacific has grown to become a global leader in technical fabrics and consumer products that protect our customers day after day, year after year. With over 600 team members across locations in Australia, New Zealand, USA, China and the UAE, our global presence allows us to continually innovate and build on a rich history dating back to 1951. Our Coolaroo® consumer products sold through major retailers globally include Shade Sails, Shade & Garden Fabrics, Outdoor Blinds and Shade Structures. GALE Pacific Commercial Fabrics include knitted, coated and advanced polymer fabrics used for agriculture, construction, mining and packaging.

OUR VALUES

• Integrity

We do what is right. We are honest and ethical, worthy of the trust of others. It is the price of entry to our team.

• Respect 

Respect guides the way we operate at all levels – with consumers, customers, suppliers, investors, the community, and our own team. ​

• Collaboration

We believe in the power of working together in a collaborative way. Every function and every role is as important as each other.

• ​People

People are the heart and soul of our business. We continually strive to provide a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for our team to achieve their full potential. ​

• Community

We are proud to be part of the communities we operate in globally. We are committed to supporting local causes and always operating in an environmentally responsible manner at all times.​

• Innovation

Creative thinking inspires innovation in everything we do. We seek and value ideas from our team that improve our products and provide meaningful benefits to our consumers and customers.

LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOURS

OVERVIEW OF ROLE OR HOW THE ROLE MAKES AN IMPACT

Broad responsibilities for managing all aspects of the Master Gardner manufacturing operation to support the achievement of Company operational objectives.  Key focus areas are:

• Drive consistent roller shade manufacturing and adhere to contracted lead times
• Develops and implements strategies to improve business processes and drive performance improvement through the end-to-end manufacturing process.
• Developing and institutionalizing standard operating procedures based on lean principles to improve productivity and cut waste. 

FLSA STATUS- Salary/exempt   

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic

• Plan monthly production capacity. 
• Structure operations to achieve operational KPIs.
• Document operating procedures and develop training programs to improve productivity and cut waste.
• Lead change projects (leading by example and as a culture builder). 
• Provide input to support the Company’s budgeting and strategic planning process.

Operational

• Manage production orders by customer to ensure accurate and timely manufacturing and shipping
• Act as a primary liaison with Planning, Production, Sales, Customer Service, and IT to coordinate custom blind operations. 
• Analyze production data to track KPIs, uncover trends, and implement continuous improvement strategies. 
• Communicate part shortages and manage order placements to avoid production delays
• Own demand planning for the operation, ensuring alignment between customer demand, production capacity, and inventory availability.
• Develop and manage demand forecasts in collaboration with Sales, Planning, and Customer Service to support production scheduling and on‑time delivery.
• Travel weekly to Spartanburg, SC to conduct audits, resolve issues, and align with on-site leadership.
• Manage and control all costs for manufacturing, transportation, and supplies
• Resolve escalated Salesforce cases

Miscellaneous

• Support the continuous improvement of Company quality systems and processes.
• Gain knowledge of and ensure compliance with Company policies and procedures.

• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the success of the Company. 

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum four (4) year bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in supply chain management, business administration, engineering, or related work experience 

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum two (2) years’ work experience in a supply chain environment with particular emphasis on manufacturing, inventory control, and transportation.
• Competent with computer software including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Microsoft Outlook, and project management software.
• Advanced spreadsheet and PowerPoint skills.
• Experience with Dynamics 365 or a related Microsoft ERP system is preferred
• Demonstrated experience with implementing lean principles to warehouse and production environments. 
• Strong project management, organizational, numerical, analytical, communication and networking skills.  Able to deliver quality outcomes within agreed deadlines.
• Work experience within the home improvement industry, consumer durable goods, seasonal categories, textiles industry and/or window shade manufacturing industry is preferred.
• Prior experience with warehouse set/ups, restructures relocation is an advantage.
• Demonstrated strong safety credentials and record.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills to motivate the team, encourage teamwork and to facilitate decision making across the organization.
• Exceptionally high level of commitment to the success of individuals and overall projects.
• Self-motivated, pro-active, energetic, dependable, honest and thorough.
• Able to manage across manufacturing sites remotely.
• Ability to handle multiple responsibilities and tasks on a regular basis.

• Display a high level of critical thinking and problem-solving skills along with the willingness and ability to challenge assumptions to drive change and improvement across the organization.

LANGUAGE:

• Able to fluently read, comprehend, write and communicate in the English language.
• Able to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to direct reports, peers and senior management.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

In the work environment the incumbent may occasionally be exposed to moving equipment and mechanical parts, as well as the unlikely chance of electric shock.

From time to time the incumbent may be exposed to moderate noise levels associated with the operation of machinery and the manufacturing process.