SCOPE:

The Operations Manager position in Chattanooga, TN is a pivotal position with the priority of successfully driving operations to improved Safety, Quality, Delivery, Inventory, and Productivity results in support of company objectives. Department production supervisors report directly to this leader, who, in turn, reports to the Chattanooga Plant Manager.

ROLE PURPOSE

Create safety awareness by actively observing, auditing, and coaching safe work behaviors and conditions. Ensure compliance with safety and environmental rules and regulations. Direct, lead, and execute the long- and short-term strategy to ensure sustainable results that meet or exceed financial and operational targets.Guide the adoption of Quality at the Source by driving root cause countermeasures coordinating operations, quality, and engineering resources as merited. Develop and administer processes for the successful schedule compliance in support of organizational service goals.Promote the lean transformation through educational interactions with production supervisors and operators. Coach and facilitate Kaizen events when needed.Monitor and develop, as applicable, performance metrics used to improve key process indicators supporting organizational break-through strategic deliverables.Collaborate with engineers and operations personnel on the design and selection of equipment and applicable procedures relative to product designs, specifications, materials and production processes.Participate in formulation of the monthly production forecast and annual operating plan; make staffing recommendations and overtime decisions.Coach and develop talent within all departments. Develop a culture of problem solving. Develop and Support leader standard work to the highest standards.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Actively participate in the Strategy Deployment process. Develop a high performing, data driven culture that deploys lean enterprise techniques to target and drive continuous improvement in every function and aspect of the business.Partner with the Human Resource team to link individual performance with the achievement of organizational goals.Track and leverage manpower to drive optimal productivity.Optimize inventory in support of JIT (just in time) requirements. Maintain work flow by monitoring steps of the process; setting processing variables; observing control points and equipment; monitoring personnel and resources; studying methods; implementing cost reductions; developing reporting procedures and systems; facilitating corrections to malfunctions within process control points; initiating and fostering a spirit of cooperation within and between departments. Maintains working relationship with the union by following the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

CRITICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Ability to build a performance-based culture focused on enhancing the customer value proposition supported by process discipline and measurement systems.Undergraduate degree in Engineering or other appropriate field required.Behavior and experience demonstrated with results for:Leadership style supportive of team and group communication and relationships with peers and customers.Superior written and verbal presentation skills.Leadership by example via energy level, diligence, aggressiveness, and overall work ethic.Ability to work within a high velocity, autonomous and demanding business culture.Unequivocal commitment to the highest standards of personal and business ethics and conduct.Eager to learn

Education/Experience:

BS or BA in Business Administration, Industrial Engineering or Mechanical Engineering or similar technical discipline required. Professional certifications would be beneficial.Minimum of 7+ years of actual manufacturing operations experience in a high-volume/ high-mix environment with a Union work force of a minimum of 300 workers.Must have strong work ethic, outgoing and assertive personality, and must have excellent team-building skills with subordinates as well as with peers. Professional PC literacy skills in MS Word and Excel are required. Personal hands-on experience with manufacturing operations.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other category protected by law.