Manufacturing Operations Lead — Paper & Converting

Pratt Retail Specialties - Production Facilities; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Pratt Industries is seeking a Manufacturing Operations Lead to drive safe, reliable production, improve quality and on-time shipping, and coach supervisors toward developing tomorrow’s leaders.

You will manage day-to-day operations, boost capacity, reduce waste, and align teams with division priorities while enforcing OSHA safety protocols and budgeting oversight.

Qualifications

• Degree in business, engineering, or related field preferred or equivalent experience.
• 3–5+ years in manufacturing; extrusion, plastic bag converting, or paper converting is a plus.
• Hands-on leader with structured problem-solving chops and measurable achievements.
• Comfortable working autonomously and partnering across the organization.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; quick to learn new systems.

Responsibilities

• Run day-to-day operations to outperform customer expectations on delivery, quality, and flexibility.
• Boost capacity, cut waste, and control costs without sacrificing standards.
• Allocate people and assets to maximize throughput and ROI.
• Monitor performance and act quickly on variances.
• Recruit, train, and grow plant talent; lead training initiatives for all employees.
• Deploy systems that capture KPIs and elevate productivity, quality, and safety.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

Budgeting

HR basics

Safety

Education

Degree in business, engineering, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Own the Floor. Grow the Team. Deliver for the Customer.Do you thrive where strategy meets the shop floor? As the Manufacturing Operations Lead (reporting to the Plant Manager), you’ll be the catalyst for safe, reliable production—driving quality, output, and on-time shipping while coaching supervisors and developing tomorrow’s leaders.Your impactRun day-to-day operations to outperform customer expectations on delivery, quality, and flexibility.Boost capacity, cut waste, and control costs without sacrificing standards.Allocate people and assets to maximize throughput and ROI.Align your area to division priorities; communicate a clear direction to production teams.Monitor performance and act quickly on variances.Recruit, train, and grow plant talent; lead training initiatives for all employees.Deploy systems that capture KPIs and elevate productivity, quality, and safety.Lead budget stewardship and expense control; identify cost-avoidance and product-improvement opportunities.Foster a customer-first mindset across internal and external interactions.Translate vision into executable plans with owners and deadlines.Safety first—alwaysEnforce OSHA and plant safety protocols (e.g., lockout tag out), and serve on/with the Safety Committee.Set safety as a strategic imperative; model the right behaviors.Hold managers and supervisors accountable for safety results.Continuously improve safety practices across operations.Are you a match?Degree in business, engineering, or related field preferred—or equivalent experience.3–5+ years in manufacturing; background in extrusion, plastic bag converting, or paper converting is a plus.Hands-on leader with structured problem-solving chops and measurable achievements.Comfortable working autonomously and partnering up/down/across the organization.Clear communicator; excellent written and verbal skills.Proficient in Microsoft Office; quick to learn new systems.Coach, builder, decision-maker—able to set expectations and create accountability.Knowledgeable in budgeting, strategic planning, resource allocation, and HR basics.Adept at interpreting complex documents and statistics; can request/build system-generated performance reports.Highly organized with sharp prioritization and time management.What you know (and use)Equipment capability and constraints—turning design limits into efficient operations and training moments.Cost levers that shrink total expenses and spotlight improvement needs.Budget creation, adherence, and variance analysis; quality standards and methods.Regulations and policies, including wage/hour, environmental and waste minimization, company policy, and personnel requirements (OSHA, DEQ, EEO).Communication, math, and reasoning strengthsRead/interpret business publications, technical procedures, and governmental rules; author reports, business correspondence, and procedures; present to diverse audiences.Comfort with mathematics and numerical analysis.Define problems, gather data, establish facts, and draw sound conclusions; interpret complex written and diagram-based technical instructions.Physical realitiesRegular talking/hearing; frequent standing, walking, and sitting; occasional use of hands to finger, handle, or feel; reaching; climbing/balancing; stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. Lift/move up to 50 lbs. Vision: close, distance, color, peripheral, depth, and focus adjustment.Where you’ll workExpect moving mechanical parts and frequent wet/humid conditions; occasionally heights, fumes/airborne particles, and vibration. The environment is typically loud.Why Pratt IndustriesWe’re the 5th largest paper and packaging company in the U.S., powered by 9,000+ green-collar employees. Our corrugated operations span 20+ states with advanced paper mills and a nationwide network of sheet and box plants—delivering creative packaging and leading in recycling by harvesting the urban forest.Total rewardsCompetitive pay + comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, disability, All State, Pre-Paid Legal, 401(k) with match, paid vacation, paid holidays, and childbearing and parental leave.Apply nowPlease apply on our company website: https://myjobs.adp.com/prattexternalcareersite/cx/job-details?__tx_annotation=false&_fromPublish=true&reqId=5001224355200EEOC Statement