Manager, Operations

Socket.dev; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

401k with company match

Disability insurance

Life Insurance

FSA program

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

D&W Fine Pack is seeking an Operations Manager to lead and optimize plastic extrusion and thermoforming operations in Fort Wayne, Indiana. You will drive safety, quality, and productivity while mentoring supervisors and coordinating staffing to meet customer demands.

The role emphasizes Lean thinking, equipment reliability, and continuous improvement, with a focus on reducing downtime and waste across multiple lines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in operations or engineering.
• 7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Experience in plastics manufacturing, extrusion, thermoforming, or related environments preferred.
• Experience with PET and food packaging is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily manufacturing operations across all shifts.
• Drive safety, productivity, quality, and employee engagement.
• Ensure schedules, efficiency goals, and customer demands are met.
• Monitor metrics: productivity, downtime, scrap, labor, and OEE.
• Coach Shift Supervisors and Technicians; manage performance.
• Partner with HR on staffing, attendance, and relations.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Operational Leadership

Strategic Planning

Team Development

Problem-solving

Communication

Microsoft Office / ERP

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management or Engineering

Tools

ERP systems

MS Excel

Automation basics

Job description

The Operations Manager will drive operational excellence by focusing on safety, productivity, quality, employee engagement, equipment reliability, and continuous improvement initiatives. This position plays a key role in achieving production goals, improving efficiencies, minimizing downtime and waste, and supporting a culture of accountability and teamwork throughout the facility. The role reports to the Plant manager.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead and oversee daily manufacturing operations across all shifts.
• Support leadership to ensure operational effectiveness and equipment reliability.
• Ensure production schedules, efficiency goals, quality standards, and customer demands are consistently achieved.
• Monitor and analyze operational metrics including productivity, downtime, scrap, labor utilization, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Maintain strong floor presence while providing hands‑on leadership and operational support within the manufacturing environment.
• Coordinate staffing, labor allocation, and production priorities to meet changing business needs and customer demands.
• Drive accountability and operational discipline throughout all production departments.

Department Oversight Responsibilities

Extrusion Operations

• Oversee the production of high-volume plastic extrusion, reprocessing, and compounding operations that is focused on safety, quality, and productivity.
• Manage operations involving PET, polypropylene, and polystyrene.
• Support and optimize production performance across multiple lines.
• Partner with Maintenance and Engineering teams to improve machine uptime, process consistency, scrap reduction, and overall production efficiency.

Thermoforming Operations

• Oversee the manufacturing high-volume thermoforming operation that is focused on safety, quality, and productivity.
• Manage production operations involving various CK’s, Lyles, Irwin, and Keifel machines.
• Oversee packaging processes including hand pack, and auto-bag.
• Ensure product quality, color consistency, and packaging accuracy for customer specifications.

Leadership & Team Development

• Coach, mentor, and develop Shift Supervisors, Setup Technicians, and Maintenance Technicians to strengthen leadership capabilities and operational performance.
• Conduct performance evaluations, corrective actions, and employee development planning.
• Develops and executes improvement plans for the plant.
• Foster a culture focused on accountability, communication, teamwork, and employee engagement.
• Support employee retention initiatives and workforce development efforts.
• Partner with HR regarding staffing, attendance management, employee relations, and performance concerns.

Safety & Compliance

• Promote and maintain a strong safety-first culture throughout all manufacturing areas.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, GMPs, food safety standards, and company policies.
• Conduct safety audits, incident investigations, and corrective action follow-up.
• Ensure employees consistently follow safe work practices and PPE requirements.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Partner with Quality teams to ensure products meet customer specifications and food packaging standards.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency, waste reduction, scrap reduction, and process optimization.
• Utilize Lean Manufacturing and problem-solving methodologies to improve manufacturing performance.
• Support investigations related to quality concerns, customer complaints, and process deviations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or related field preferred.
• 7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience required.
• Previous experience managing supervisors and multiple production departments required.
• Experience in plastics manufacturing, food packaging, extrusion, thermoforming, automated packaging, or related manufacturing environments strongly preferred.
• Experience with PET strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational metrics.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and employee development experience.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and decision‑making abilities.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and manufacturing/ERP systems.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience overseeing high-speed manufacturing and automated production environments.
• Knowledge of food‑grade manufacturing and GMP compliance.
• Experience with extrusion equipment, robotic automation, and thermoforming operations.
• Ability to improve production efficiency, reduce downtime, and minimize scrap.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Working Conditions

• Manufacturing plant environment with exposure to noise, moving machinery, heat, and production equipment.
• Frequent walking, standing, and movement throughout production areas.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends or off‑shift support, based on operational needs.

More than a job. Grow, belong, and make a difference.

AtD&W Fine Pack, we don’t just make packaging, we build purpose, pride, and strong teams. Whether you are launching your career or bringing years of experience, this is a place where you can grow, be supported, and make a real impact. Our culture is built on four core valuesthat guide everything we do:

• Dedicated to Excellence– We hold ourselves to high standards in safety, sustainability, quality, and service.
• Winning with Success– We keep improving to deliver more for our customers and community.
• Focused on Service– We listen, act fast, and support both our customers and each other.
• People with Purpose– We work as one team, showing respect, integrity, and care for all.

Benefits That Matter

Taking care of our team is a priority. Our benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• 401k with company match
• Short and Long-Term Disability (STD/LTD)
• Company-paid Life Insurance
• FSA’s for Medical & Dependent Care
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) –counseling, financial tools, legal help & more
• Wellness program
• Cancer Expert Now – access to expert consultations for cancer diagnosis and treatment guidance
• And more!