Manufacturing Operations Manager

Novolex; Walton (KY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Novolex is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead our Kentucky facility’s production and packaging operations. You will drive safety, quality, and productivity while aligning with GMP and Lean principles.

This role requires 5+ years in manufacturing and a bachelor’s degree; lean certification preferred. You will supervise a production workforce, coordinate maintenance, and implement continuous improvement across processes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of production/operations management in manufacturing.
• Lean certification/training preferred.
• Strong understanding of production tactics, lean, and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of production processes, materials, quality control, and cost management.

Responsibilities

• Advance safety, health, security, and welfare of all employees.
• Maintain safe, clean, orderly production operations (5S) and GMP-compliant facility.
• Follow GMP and keep facility audit-ready.
• Oversee production and production support activities per company policies.
• Identify opportunities to optimize safety, flow, service, quality, and profitability.
• Coordinate with Maintenance Manager and engineers to support predictive maintenance.
• Provide technical recommendations for continuous improvement in production.
• Supervise installation/repair of machinery with maintenance team.
• Handle hiring, training, assignment, and performance evaluation of staff.
• Undertake other duties as assigned; supervise hourly workforce.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Operations management

Leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Novolex manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates including resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum and more. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands and over 39,000 SKUs.

Our Sustainability Commitment

The Novolex sustainability vision is built upon three pillars: our products, our operations and our people. Each is critically important to our growth and future as a business. These pillars form the foundation of our company-wide commitment to sustainability, helping us achieve our ambitious goals through our wide-ranging initiatives.

The Operations Manager is accountable for inspiring and executing strategies which achieve optimum safety, quality, service, productivity, and profitability. They will perpetuate the following responsibilities, either personally or, through subordinate supervisors and subordinate connections:

• Advance initiatives that promote and sustain the safety, health, security, and welfare of all employees.
• Maintain safe, clean, orderly (5s), and environmentally compliant production operations.
• Follow GMP in compliance with all food safety requirements and maintain a facility that is always ‘audit’ ready.
• Inclusive oversight of all production and production support activities of the facility ensuring all are conducted in accordance with Company policies, principles, procedures, values, and standards.
• Perpetually assess current strategies, systems, procedures, performance, capabilities, equipment, facilities, and employees for opportunities to optimize safety, flow, service, quality, and profitability.
• Coordinates with Maintenance Manager, Process Engineers and Maintenance Planner to support a predictive and preventative maintenance program.
• Provide technical recommendations and implementation for continuous improvement in plant production process.
• Supervise the installation and repair of all machinery/equipment in conjunction with the day-to-day activities of maintenance technicians.
• Execute supervisory responsibilities in accordance with all policies and applicable laws, including interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Willingly undertake and perform other duties and tasks as assigned.
• Will have supervisors and lead personnel as well as the hourly production workforce as direct reports.

Requirements:

• A minimum of 5 years of production/operations management experience in manufacturing and operations.
• Bachelor's degree and lean certification//training preferred.
• Well-rounded operations management experience including a deep understanding and experience with operations tactics, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement, strategies and best practices and process discipline.
• Knowledge of production processes, raw materials, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Track record of excellent judgment and decision‑making ability.
• Ability to successfully work to reach company goals in an environment in which a wide degree of creativity and latitude is required.
• Ability to effectively set and communicate expectations & directives to manufacturing staff.
• Results driven, analytical, self‑motivated and detail oriented with the ability to logically identify alternative solutions or approaches to complex problems.
• Must have demonstrated accountability at the plant management level and have a strong track record of successful execution.
• Demonstrated success as an innovative manufacturing leader.
• Demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively manage operations with excellent communication (verbal and written) and presentation skills.

What You'll Get From Us

With safety as our top priority and a commitment to employee well‑being an important focus, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a variety of other well‑being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health. Specific benefits and well‑being programs may vary depending on where you work.

Community Engagement

At Novolex, giving back to the local communities that support us is important. Our Focused Giving Program prioritizes support for organizations whose missions promote sustainability initiatives or address food and hunger needs. We also encourage facility level support of activities in the communities where our employees live and work.

Training and Development

We offer constant opportunities for advancement. From skills development to advanced education programs, training and development programs and courses are available through MyLearning. Programs include company and industry training curricula, support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non‑Union), and a Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization.

Novolex is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, handicap or disability, genetics, citizenship status, service member or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Any individual who, because of his or her disability, needs an accommodation in connection with an aspect of the Company's application process should contact [e-mail].