Operations Manager

Nekoosa Coated Products • $80K — $95K *

Appleton, WI 54915In-Person

Manufacturing & Automotive

5 - 7 years of experience

2 weeks ago

Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field preferred; equivalent production management experience considered
5 years of supervisory or leadership experience in a manufacturing or production environment
Deep understanding of production processes, quality control, and lean manufacturing principles (e.g., Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S)
Proven leadership and team management skills, able to motivate and develop a production team
Hands-on experience with continuous improvement initiatives and process optimization projects
Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective cross-department collaboration
Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems, production reporting, and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

Responsibilities

Champion Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) compliance, fostering a culture of safety and accountability
Own site performance and operational targets, delivering results across multiple metrics
Drive operational efficiency and cost improvements through resource optimization
Manage production performance, addressing gaps through coaching and process adjustments
Ensure production schedules are met, optimizing resources to minimize downtime
Collaborate cross-departmentally to ensure smooth operations
Implement continuous improvement initiatives to streamline processes and enhance effectiveness
Promote sustainability and operational responsibility

Benefits

Opportunity for professional development and team growth
Chance to lead and inspire a high-performing workforce
Engagement in continuous improvement initiatives
Collaborative work environment with cross-functional teams
Commitment to health, safety, and environmental sustainability

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Full Job Description

Operations Manager

The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing all production operations within Appvion's Building 17 facility. This role ensures that production goals are achieved safely, efficiently, and within budget while maintaining the highest quality standards. The manager leads and motivates a team, coordinates cross-departmentally to ensure smooth workflow, and drives continuous improvement initiatives to optimize operational performance.

Key Focus Areas

Core Operations Excellence (60%)

Champion Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) compliance, fostering a proactive culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across the site.
Own site performance and operational targets, delivering results across safety, quality, service, scrap, housekeeping, and manufacturing expenses.
Drive operational efficiency and cost improvements through disciplined execution, resource optimization, and effective budget management.
Manage production performance, monitoring key metrics and KPIs, addressing gaps through coaching, process adjustments, and team engagement.
Ensure production schedules are consistently met, optimizing workforce, equipment, and material utilization to minimize downtime and maximize throughput.
Collaborate across departments, including supply chain, planning, maintenance, quality, and engineering, to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
Implement continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to streamline processes, reduce waste, and enhance operational effectiveness.
Promote sustainability and operational responsibility, reducing environmental impact, conserving resources, and supporting long-term business objectives.
Lead and develop the site team, cultivating skills, accountability, and ownership to strengthen operational performance and succession readiness

Continuous Improvement & Operational Initiatives (20%)

Lead and support continuous improvement (CI) initiatives across the site, identifying opportunities to optimize processes, reduce waste, and increase efficiency.
Collaborate with team members to implement improvements and monitor results, ensuring sustainability and measurable impact.
Promote a culture of operational excellence and accountability through regular coaching, feedback, and performance tracking.

Organizational Development (20%)

Develop and establish top-performing team members who are motivated, accountable, and committed to delivering outstanding results.
Collaborate and interface effectively with all cross-functional departments - including Commercial, Finance, HR, Planning, Purchasing, and Product Development - to maximize operational success and enhance expertise across the organization.

Key Attributes & Strengths

Motivational and inspiring leadership style that drives team engagement and accountability
Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset, focused on operational efficiency and continuous improvement
Results-oriented, with a disciplined approach to achieving production, quality, and cost targets
Effective communicator and collaborator, able to align cross-functional teams and drive operational success
Proactive decision-maker with a hands-on approach to solving production challenges
Demonstrates urgency and focus on execution while maintaining a safe and compliant work environment
Skilled at developing, coaching, and mentoring team members to build a high-performing, accountable workforce
Adaptable and resilient, able to manage changing priorities and maintain performance under pressure

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field preferred; equivalent production management experience considered
5 years of supervisory or leadership experience in a manufacturing or production environment
Deep understanding of production processes, quality control, and lean manufacturing principles (e.g., Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S)
Proven leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate, develop, and hold a production team accountable
Hands-on experience with continuous improvement initiatives and process optimization projects
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively across departments
Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems, production reporting, and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable improvements
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while maintaining focus on safety and compliance

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About Nekoosa Coated Products

Nekoosa Coated Products is a manufacturer of specialty paper products. The company produces carbonless paper, thermal paper, security paper, and other specialty coated papers. Nekoosa Coated Products serves a variety of industries, including financial services, healthcare, and transportation. The company was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Nekoosa, Wisconsin.

Learn more about Nekoosa Coated Products

Size

500 employees

Industry

Manufacturing & Automotive

Net Income

$10 million

5 Year Trend

-5%

Revenue

$100 million

* Ladders Estimates

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