Operations Manager

Job Posting Title

Operations Manager

Job Description Summary

Dauch is searching for an Operations Manager to join our team. This position will be based out of our Sanford, NC location.

As an Operations Manager, you will oversee a 24/7 forging operation running across four shifts, ensuring that production schedules, customer commitments, and performance requirements are consistently met. You will drive the effective utilization of equipment, workforce, and materials while leading continuous improvement initiatives. This role is responsible for developing a culture of operational excellence through Kaizen events, productivity improvements, and sustainable Lean manufacturing practices. You will also manage staffing, development, and performance programs for frontline leadership and hourly teams.

Job Description:

• Lead daily operations across a 4-shift, 24/7 forging facility, ensuring alignment on safety, quality, people, volumes, and cost (SQPVC).
• Manage staffing, scheduling, and performance while ensuring consistent execution of policies and standards across all shifts.
• Champion a culture of safety by enforcing EHS standards and ensuring strict compliance across all forging operations.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks while reinforcing safe behaviors at all levels.
• Recruit, coach, and develop shift supervisors and frontline leaders.
• Drive performance management, compensation planning, and workforce development to maintain a high performing, engaged team.
• Translate customer demand and forecasts into actionable production plans and priorities.
• Optimize allocation of equipment, tooling, materials, and labor to meet production and delivery targets.
• Drive improvements in OEE, labor efficiency, scrap reduction, throughput, and cost performance.
• Monitor KPIs and implement corrective actions to close performance gaps.
• Lead Kaizen events, monthly productivity workshops, value stream mapping, and root cause problem-solving initiatives.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across the site.
• Monitor plant performance and respond to dynamic production demands.
• Resolve scheduling, capacity, and bottleneck constraints using data-driven decision-making.
• Lead daily, weekly, and monthly operating reviews to track KPIs and drive accountability.
• Prepare and communicate reports on throughput, downtime, scrap, and productivity trends.
• Partner with maintenance and engineering to improve equipment reliability and up time.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Engineering, and Quality to meet customer requirements.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Education

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical field required.
• 8+ years of progressive manufacturing experience, preferably in forging, metal forming, or heavy industrial environments.
• Proven leadership experience managing multi-shift operations in a high-volume, 24/7 production setting.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Kaizen methodologies with demonstrated success leading transformation initiatives.
• Experience driving productivity improvements using metrics such as OEE, throughput, and labor efficiency.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and production planning tools.

About Dauch:

Dauch Corporation is a premier Driveline and Metal Forming supplier serving the global automotive industry with a powertrain-agnostic product portfolio that supports electric, hybrid, and internal combustion vehicles. The company is headquartered in Detroit, MI, with operations that span 24 countries and more than 175 locations. Formed through the acquisition of Dowlais Group plc and its subsidiaries - GKN Automotive and GKN Powder Metallurgy, Dauch unites deep engineering roots with global manufacturing capabilities and an entrepreneurial spirit to move mobility forward. Visit www.dauch.com to learn more.

Dauch will not discriminate against any Associate or applicant for employment because of age, race, color, gender, religion, weight, height, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, or other characteristic protected by law. Dauch will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that Associates are treated equally during employment, without regard to their age, race, color, gender, religion, weight, height, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, or other characteristic protected by law. For the Disabled Job Seeker: We offer reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled individuals who are applicants for employment. To request assistance or accommodations, please e-mail TalentAcquisition@aam.com. Dauch is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.