Automotive Operations Manager - Lean, High-Volume Leader

Toledo-Tool-&-Die-Compan; Toledo (OH); On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

PTO

10 Paid holidays

Full Benefits

Job summary

Toledo Tool & Die is seeking an Operations Manager to lead high‑volume automotive manufacturing operations in Toledo, Ohio. The role emphasizes safety, quality, and on-time delivery while guiding floor teams and implementing lean improvements.

Responsibilities include directing welding/assembly, staffing decisions, KPI tracking, and cross‑department collaboration to support launches and continuous improvement initiatives. The position offers full benefits and a strong growth path.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, Industrial Technology, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 5–10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a fast-paced, high-volume automotive manufacturing environment.
• Experience with robotic welding and assembly operations in an OEM or Tier I/II automotive supplier environment is strongly preferred.
• Experience leading production teams within high-volume manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrated experience with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, problem-solving methodologies, and operational KPI management.
• Working knowledge of automotive quality systems including IATF 16949, ISO 9001, or other automotive quality systems preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Drive a Floor-First culture by maintaining a strong presence on the production floor through daily Gemba walks, ensuring accountability for safety, quality, delivery, and production performance across high-mix manufacturing operations.
• Direct welding and assembly operations to ensure quality products are manufactured safely, efficiently, and in alignment with customer delivery requirements.
• Lead, develop, and support Production Supervisors, Team Leaders, and production personnel while fostering a high-performance, team-oriented culture.
• Review production schedules and operational demands to make decisions regarding staffing requirements, labor allocation, machine utilization, work procedures, and operational priorities while considering budgetary limitations and customer requirements.
• Develop, implement, and maintain production tracking systems and operational KPIs including OEE, First Time Through (FTT), scrap %, downtime, labor efficiency, productivity, and delivery performance to identify operational trends and improvement opportunities.
• Analyze production, quality, maintenance, and operational reports to identify issues related to machine inefficiency, downtime, quality concerns, training deficiencies, waste reduction, and cost improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and Materials teams to quickly resolve production concerns, minimize downtime, and support customer shipping schedules.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives through Lean Manufacturing principles, visual management systems, Andon boards, 5S, standardized work, root-cause analysis, and waste reduction strategies.
• Ensure compliance with safety procedures, standardized work instructions, operational procedures, IATF 16949 requirements, ISO standards, and company policies.
• Champion a strong safety culture and maintain the authority to stop production if unsafe conditions or poor-quality conditions exist.
• Hire, train, evaluate, coach, and counsel hourly and salaried team members in accordance with positive employee relations practices while supporting workforce development and retention initiatives.
• Develop and maintain training matrices and cross-training programs to improve workforce flexibility and operational readiness.
• Support new product launches, engineering changes, and customer program requirements by coordinating operational readiness and manufacturing support activities.
• Coordinate or recommend procedures for equipment maintenance, facility improvements, and machine replacement activities while supporting preventative maintenance initiatives and long-term equipment reliability.
• Partner with Engineering and Maintenance to support operational improvements and equipment lifecycle planning using operational performance and reliability data such as MTBF.
• Lead daily and weekly production meetings while ensuring effective communication across departments and shifts.
• Maintain clean and organized production environments through workplace organization and visual management standards.
• Ensure environmental practices and operational responsibilities are carried out in compliance with company and ISO 14001 environmental management requirements.
• Other tasks as directed by the Plant Manager.

Skills

Operations management

Team leadership

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving

Lean manufacturing

Continuous improvement

ERP/MES systems

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Operations Management/Engineering/Industrial Technology

Tools

Plex

SAP

QAD

Oracle

Job description

Toledo Tool & Die is seeking an Operations Manager to lead high‑volume automotive manufacturing operations in Toledo, Ohio. The role emphasizes safety, quality, and on-time delivery while guiding floor teams and implementing lean improvements.

Responsibilities include directing welding/assembly, staffing decisions, KPI tracking, and cross‑department collaboration to support launches and continuous improvement initiatives. The position offers full benefits and a strong growth path.