Job Type
Full-time
Description
Job Description: The Light RTM Composite Manager is responsible for leading the daily operations, performance, and output of the Light RTM and Gel Finishing departments. This position provides overall leadership for safety, quality, production, personnel management, employee development, continuous improvement, operational metrics, and alignment with company culture and strategic objectives. This role plans, directs, and coordinates manufacturing activities to ensure composite components are produced safely, efficiently, and in accordance with established quality, cost, and production requirements. This position leads department supervisors, leads, and employees while partnering cross-functionally to achieve production targets, resolve operational challenges, and continuously improve manufacturing performance.
Key Responsibilities:- Direct daily Light RTM and Gel Finishing operations, including production attainment, safety, quality, labor utilization, and employee performance
- Ensure production schedules and departmental objectives are achieved while maintaining established safety, quality, cost, and delivery standards
- Lead, coach, and develop department supervisors, leads, and employees to strengthen performance, accountability, engagement, and alignment with operational objectives
- Manage departmental staffing and employee performance matters while supporting recruitment, onboarding, training, development, and succession planning
- Drive improvements in labor productivity, material utilization, process efficiency, and waste reduction through Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies
- Maintain high-quality standards through regular shop-floor engagement, process observation, auditing, and collaboration with employees and leadership
- Partner with Engineering, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, Customer Service, and other departments to resolve production issues and ensure operational requirements are achieved
- Identify and address production constraints, process inefficiencies, quality concerns, staffing challenges, and other barriers affecting departmental performance
- Lead the implementation and sustainment of new manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, materials, and product introductions within assigned departments
- Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives, including 5S, Kaizen, visual management, waste elimination, and process standardization
- Monitor, analyze, and report departmental performance metrics and implement corrective actions when results fall below established targets
- Ensure compliance with company policies, OSHA requirements, safety procedures, and applicable environmental requirements while promoting a proactive safety culture
- Perform similar or related duties as assigned.
Requirements
Skills and Abilities for Success in This Position:- Leadership and people-management skills, including the ability to coach, develop, motivate, direct, delegate work, assess performance, and hold employees and leaders accountable
- Facilitation and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups
- Organizational, planning, and project management skills
- Prioritization and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing responsibilities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Analytical, critical-thinking, and conceptual-thinking skills
- Problem-solving and decision-making skills, including the ability to identify root causes, evaluate alternatives, and implement sustainable corrective actions
- Sound judgment and independent decision-making skills, with the ability to establish priorities, meet deadlines, and operate with minimal supervision
- Adaptability and flexibility in responding to changing production requirements, priorities, schedules, delays, and unexpected operational challenges
- Ability to remain calm, exercise sound judgment, and respond effectively during emergencies or high-pressure situations
- Collaboration and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments and promote a positive, team-oriented work environment
- Initiative, accountability, professionalism, and a proactive, self-directed approach to operational challenges
- Ability to operate or oversee production equipment and conduct inspections of products and processes to evaluate quality and conformance to established standards
- Ability to travel occasionally
Knowledge, Education, and Experience:- Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or a related field.
- In lieu of a bachelor's degree, 7 to ten 10 years of progressive manufacturing or operations experience, demonstrating increasing levels of responsibility and leadership, may be considered
- Minimum of 3 to 5 years of direct supervisory or management experience in a medium- to fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Must have knowledge of raw materials, production processes, QC, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture of products.
- Strong knowledge and practical application of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies, including waste elimination, 5S, Kaizen events, and visual management; Lean Six Sigma certification preferred
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and PowerPoint, with the ability to analyze, organize, and present operational data
- A self-starter who takes a proactive approach and has good decision-making skills.
Physical Requirements:- Ability to work primarily in a non-climate-controlled manufacturing environment, with regular exposure to moderate noise, fiberglass, dust, dirt, and ambient temperatures that may exceed outdoor temperatures
- Ability to frequently stand and walk throughout the manufacturing facility while overseeing operations, interacting with employees, and monitoring production processes
- Ability to regularly bend at the waist and knees, reach, and move throughout production areas as needed to observe operations and inspect products and processes
- Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull up to 25 pounds
- Ability to occasionally sit for extended periods while performing administrative duties, attending meetings, or working at a computer
