Bachelor's Degree or 10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience
5+ years of Lean manufacturing experience, with 2+ years in a supervisory role
Experience in the Chemical manufacturing industry preferred
Proven track record in leading continuous improvement initiatives
Hands-on experience with automation processes in manufacturing
Proficiency in CAD software for process layout and design improvements
Fluent in English and Spanish preferred
Responsibilities
Meet quality, cost, delivery, and people objectives
Plan and organize production workflow
Monitor product quality and implement continuous improvement methods
Provide guidance and problem-solving support
Maintain training documentation for personnel
Lead performance management and coaching for team members
Achieve targets for cycle time and on-time delivery
Benefits
Opportunities for professional development and career advancement
Collaborative work environment with cross-functional teams
Engagement in continuous improvement initiatives
Exposure to automation technologies
Participation in Lean manufacturing practices
Supportive leadership fostering talent development
Full Job Description
Job Title: Operations Manager - Plant Production Location: Gardena, CA
About the Role: Reporting directly to the Director of Manufacturing Plant Operations, the Operations Manager is responsible for overall leadership and coordination of plant operations, ensuring alignment across production, quality, safety, and cost objectives. This role drives continuous improvement through Lean methodologies, oversees the implementation of automation technologies, and ensures data-driven decision-making to optimize resources, processes, and results. The Operations Manager serves as a key leader in fostering cross-functional collaboration, talent development, and operational excellence across the plant.
Responsibilities
Responsible for meeting quality, cost, delivery, and people objectives
Plan, schedule, and organize the workflow of production personnel
Monitor product quality and process productivity, implementing methods of continuous improvement to reach established goals
Provide general guidance and problem-solving to assigned areas
Maintain the process and documentation for training and cross-training of personnel
Provide leadership and oversight for assigned team members, including performance management, coaching, career development, and annual performance evaluations
Lead manufacturing team to achieve established targets for daily cycle time and on-time delivery
Maintain high product quality and manufacturing yield while ensuring optimal use of resources and adherence to best safety practices
Ensure customer orders are completed on time for requested delivery dates
Monitor metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess productivity and cost management
Ensure continued adherence to Lean manufacturing and 5S + Safety initiatives
Utilize JD Edwards EnterpriseOne (E1) to manage and monitor operational, inventory, purchasing, production, and reporting activities
Assess and analyze current practices and drive improvements
Support and collaborate with other departmental needs
Lead by example with positive reinforcements
Communicate with cross-functional managers to ensure required production coordination
Partner and coordinate with cross-functional departments to resolve issues and concerns
Ensure the health and safety of all employees through safety policy compliance
Lead the daily production meeting
Attend the monthly SIOP meeting
Attend the OTD meetings
Lead and/or participate in Kaizen events
All other duties as assigned
Skills / Qualifications
Must be able to communicate effectively at various levels of the organization; fluent in both English and Spanish preferred
Demonstrated ability to work on complex issues and to develop resolutions via in-depth evaluation of factors and/or frequent use of creativity
Proven ability to set and communicate challenging team goals and to achieve them through collaborative team leadership
Strong problem-solving and data analysis skills with the ability to apply insights to process improvements
Proven ability to lead continuous improvement initiatives, including Value Stream Mapping and Kaizen facilitation
Experience driving efficiency and performance through automation technologies
Working knowledge of CAD tools to support process layout, equipment integration, and design improvements
Requirements
Bachelor's Degree or a minimum of 10 years of manufacturing leadership experience required
Minimum of 5 years of Lean manufacturing experience with at least 2 years in a supervisory role, preferably in the Chemical manufacturing industry
Experience with Value Stream Mapping and proven success in leading Kaizen events
Demonstrated ability to make data-driven decisions using metrics and analysis to guide improvements
Hands-on experience with the implementation and launch of automation processes in a manufacturing environment
Proficiency with CAD software (for reviewing layouts, process flows, or equipment designs)
Lean manufacturing training and/or certification a plus
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
Must be available to work overtime and weekends when needed
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
Physical Requirements and Demands
Must be able to remain in a stationary position throughout assigned working hours
Frequent reaching, grasping, bending, and stooping
Must be able to tolerate odor from raw materials, freshly cured tires and hot materials
Frequent pulling and/or pushing up to 20 lbs independently, and occasional pushing and/or pulling up to 35 lbs independently, and greater weights with mechanical automation assistance
Must be able to frequently engage in repetitive motions requiring substantial movement of the wrist, hands and/or fingers
Adequate vision to read work instructions, job aids and guides, and detect imperfections in raw materials, tooling and finished product
Ability to work in environment with limited climate control and varied temperature levels
Must be able to communicate effectively in an environment with continual noise, requiring the ability to hear, understand and communicate work instructions and directions while wearing company provided hearing protection
Must be able to be frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, electrical equipment, mechanical equipment and vibration
