Operations Manager

Airlite Plastics; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Airlite Plastics, Dallas team, is seeking an Operations Manager to lead the business unit on-site in Dallas, TX. You will oversee production efficiency, safety, and continuous improvement while guiding a mid-size team to achieve operational goals.

This role emphasizes servant leadership and cross-functional collaboration to deliver high-quality products on schedule. Ideal candidates bring strong leadership, problem solving, communication, and change-management skills, plus experience in

Qualifications

• BS/BA from a four-year college; four years frontline supervisor experience or equivalent.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience leading and/or managing manufacturing operations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership within the business unit, modeling collaborative leadership, mentoring, goal setting and strategy execution.
• Ensure the team operates with a Safety First mentality and timely safety training.
• Measure, track and report success of operations using defined metrics aligned with goals.
• Lead continuous improvement; evaluate alternatives and optimize processes.
• Support long-term planning including budgeting and resource alignment for the unit.
• Develop and mentor direct reports to build highly effective teams.
• Manage operations to manufacture high quality products on time, within budget.
• Work cross-functionally to meet, and exceed, goals; resolve escalated issues as needed.
• Drive OEE initiatives contributing to operational excellence.

Skills

Servant leadership

Team leadership

Problem solving

Strong communication

Critical thinking

Organizational skills

Change management

Cross-functional collaboration

Safety mindset

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) from four-year college

Tools

IQMS

Job description

• Employee Type Exempt

Airlite Plastics is a premier, privately held, family-owned manufacturer headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. Our family style and personal culture is what makes Airlite an amazing place to grow and build a successful career. Airlite’s company values of unquestionable integrity and respect and appreciation for each other are at the core of our success! These values set a strong foundation to build on where we can ‘wow’ our customers with innovative products and sustainable solutions and continuously improve our processes and efficiencies.

Our product lines include rigid plastic containers and lids for food packaging and cosmetics, dry powder scoops, plastic drink cups, shipping containers, industrial strength insulated concrete forms (ICF) and sustainable permeable paving systems. As pioneers in our industry, focused on sustainable solutions, we strive to provide our customers with top-notch service and quality, which aligns with our award-winning products.

How would you contribute?

This role is a contributing member of our Airlite - Dallas team, located in Dallas, TX (on-site). The Operations Manager manages, assigns and coordinates operations of assigned business unit. This includes managing business initiatives, production efficiencies andoperational goals and outcomes all while maintaining safe operations. Ensure the team is lead with a “Safety First” mentality by ensuring all safety practices are followed and safety training is complete timely. Using servant leadership principles, support growth and development opportunities for team members and create a safe workplace. In addition to leading operational teams, this role has responsibility for measuring, tracking and reporting continuous improvements efforts from assigned business unit.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide leadership and guidance within the business unit, including but not limited to; modeling collaborative leadership principles, providing mentoring and guidance, setting and managing goals, fostering engagement, providing clear and focused direction, setting standards and strategy execution.
• Ensure the team is lead with a “Safety First” mentality by ensuring all safety practices are followed and safety training is complete timely.
• Manage, measure, track and report on success of assigned operations using defined metrics in conjunction with operating goals and strategy plans.
• Evaluate current operations to effectively lead the team through the continuous improvement process, recommend alternative measurements if needed.
• Provide input in long term planning including providing feedback on operational budgets and ensuring operating plans are being managed effectively within the assigned business unit.
• Develop and mentor direct reports to create highly effective teams.
• Manage operational teams to manufacture high quality product, produced in the most efficient and safe manner, audited for efficiency and shipped on time, within budgeted costs.
• Work cross functionally with teams to ensure goals are met as set.
• Assist in the resolution of escalated employment and operational issues, taking ownership and ensuring resolution to support manufacturing processes and team members.
• Ensure alignment of team members and organizational structure. Ensure alignment of technical resources to maximize efficiency, output and resources.
• Effectively communicate, execute and implement company policies, standards of conduct, safety, quality and compliance standards.
• Subject matter expert of the IQMS software system for production, inventory management, equipment real time monitoring, warehouse inventory control, physical count auditing as determined necessary, etc.
• Participate in regular meetings with business unit leadership regarding plant and fiscal planning and in meetings with business unit leadership to discuss safety, scrap, labor costs, equipment repair, and maintenance.
• Drive OEE initiatives in the business unit that contribute to long-term operational excellence.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of direct reports. Carries out managerial responsibilities in accordance with the company’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning and assigning work; appraising performance; rewarding and leading employees; addressing conflict resolution and providing workforce success opportunities for team members.

Utilize the principles of Living as a Leader and exemplify Airlite’s Core Values in your daily conduct while embracing the principle of Servant Leadership.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE / CERTIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree (BS or BA) from four-year college is preferred; four years of successful front-line supervisor experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience leading and/or managing manufacturing operational support functions, i.e warehousing, manufacturing operations, scheduling, etc. is preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Ability to manage and lead mid-size teams using servant leadership principles.
• Capability to solve complex problems, utilizing strong critical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Superior organizational skills and the ability to assemble resources needed to orchestrate multiple projects/activities and accomplish goals.
• Model a collaborative leadership style with the ability to build partnerships and influence others into action.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Outstanding presentation and facilitation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and consultative approach; tactful in dealing with people at all levels.
• Strong sense of urgency, self-motivated and positive.
• Flexible and adaptable; able to work in ambiguous situations and variable hours based on the needs of the business.
• Ability to actively lead change initiatives.

Our Core Values Drive Us!

• Do you conduct yourself with unquestionable integrity?
• Do you demonstrate respect and appreciation for those around you?
• Are you innovative and strive to challenge the status quo?
• Do you strive for continuous improvement and to deliver the “wow” factor?
• Do you care about environmentally sustainable solutions?
• Do you take pride in a job well done?

What’s in it for you?

As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for the following benefits: