Manufacturing Operations Manager

Teknor Apex Company; Brownsville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing firm in Brownsville, Tennessee, is seeking an experienced Plant Manager to oversee safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives. Responsibilities include translating corporate strategies into plant actions, managing performance metrics, and promoting a high-performance culture. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in engineering and a minimum of 7 years of plant leadership experience. Strong skills in Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma are essential. This role emphasizes collaboration across departments to drive efficiencies and employee engagement.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of experience in plant leadership, preferably as a Plant Manager.
• Strong proficiency in Lean manufacturing tools and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Ability to lead change in complex manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Promote safety awareness and ensure adherence to safety programs.
• Translate corporate strategy into actionable plant-level initiatives.
• Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Lean manufacturing tools

Six Sigma methodologies

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving skills

Team building

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel)

Job description

Join the team behind our custom compounds.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Promote safety awareness, monitor safety programs and trends and ensure adherence to safety and procedure
• Translate corporate manufacturing strategy into actionable plant-level initiatives
• Represent manufacturing at Business Unit meetings
• Develop and lead projects that support continuous improvement
• Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives across facility
• Own consolidated manufacturing performance metrics (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery & People)
• Analyze key performance indicators (KPIs): Utilize advanced data analytics and KPIs to monitor plant performance, lead corrective actions to address underperforming areas.
• Oversee operating budgets, capital planning, and cost control initiatives
• Ensure manufacturing capabilities meet or exceed all customer requirements for cost, quality, and responsiveness.
• Continuous Improvement Leadership: Champion Lean manufacturing initiatives (e.g., 6S, Kaizen, LSW, PDCAs, Gemba, VSM, SMED, Process Capability, etc.) to identify inefficiencies, reduce waste, streamline production and other related workflow process processes.
• Accountable/ Responsible for major process improvement, automation, and modernization initiatives
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Serve as a key liaison between manufacturing, engineering, sales, supply chain, technical (R&D), and procurement to synchronize planning and resolve operational issues.
• Assist in developing short‑ and long‑term strategies to improve productivity
• Work closely with production for daily and weekly scheduling to increase utilization and optimize plant performance.
• Promote team development by building a high‑performance culture. Hire, coach, and mentor staff to build organizational capability, ensuring all employees understand and adhere to Lean processes and safety protocols and enhance employee engagement.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably engineering.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in plant leadership; Plant Manager role preferred.
• VARIES BY PLANT: Vinyl, compounding, or extrusion experience preferred.
• Strong strategic thinking and business acumen.
• Ability to lead change in complex manufacturing environments.
• Executive‑level communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Must be able to evaluate complex situations, balancing production efficiencies with available equipment and assets.
• Strong proficiency in Lean manufacturing tools and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience leading LEAN initiatives such as LSW, SMED, Kaizen, Rapid PDCA, VSM, Continuous Improvement.
• Strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable operational strategies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel) and ability to quickly learn other computer applications.
• Be knowledgeable of safety, quality, and productivity processes.
• Ability to create accountability and to lead by example.
• Strong team building, decision‑making and people management skills.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to talk, listen and speak clearly on telephone.

Teknor Apex is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status under state or federal laws. Must be 18 years of age or older to work at Teknor Apex.