Operations Manager

Mercer Mass Timber; Conway (AR); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision & dental benefits

Benefits start day one

Job summary

Mercer Mass Timber in Conway, AR seeks an Operations Manager to lead daily manufacturing, assembly, processing, and shipping/receiving at the Conway facility. You'll oversee throughput, safety, quality, maintenance, and workforce development, aligning with Mercer's core values.

The role requires 5+ years in manufacturing leadership, knowledge of CNC timber processing, and experience with Lean/Six Sigma. Competitive benefits and multi-shift operations are part of the package.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing.
• Experience with CNC timber processing machinery, press systems, and PLC automation.
• Proven experience applying Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methods.
• Strong knowledge of safety and quality systems (e.g. OSHA).
• Experience with budgets and driving financial results is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily manufacturing lines, including CNC fabrications, adhesive layup, pressing, and finishing systems.
• Drive operational efficiency to meet production targets and schedules.
• Track KPIs to monitor and elevate operational performance.
• Partner with Supply Chain to ensure stock of raw lumber and adhesives.
• Ensure finished products meet certifications, moisture content, and engineering specs.
• Lead continuous process improvements using Lean/Six Sigma to eliminate bottlenecks.
• Manage and develop supervisors and operators.
• Enforce OSHA compliance and safety protocols across all shifts.
• Foster an inclusive culture and teamwork.
• Implement and drive continuous improvements to reduce bottlenecks and waste.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Six Sigma

Decision Making

Budget Management

Safety & Quality

Tools

CNC Timber Processing

Press Systems

PLC Automation

Job description

Who we are. At Mercer Mass Timber we are exceptional people making mass timber

for a more sustainable world. We are North America's largest Mass Timber Manufacturer, with facilities in Penticton, British Columbia, Spokane Valley, WA, and Conway, Arkansas with a combined annual production capacity of over 255,000 cubic metres of mass timber. MMT is part of Mercer International, a leading forest products company who is one of the world's largest market pulp producers and operates the world's largest sawmill. Mercer has operations in Canada, Germany, United States and Australia.

What we believe. We believe that a culture of diversity and inclusion is critical in making the best decisions for our people and achieving sustainable business success. Together, we encourage, support, and celebrate the diverse voices of our employees. We strive to provide an inclusive culture by fostering an environment of mutual respect, fairness, and by providing opportunities to contribute and grow.

Position Description

Reporting to the General Manager / Director of Manufacturing, the Operations Manager will lead and oversee the daily manufacturing, assembly, processing operations, and shipping/receiving at the Conway, AR facility. This facility specializes in Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glued-Laminated Timber (Glulam). The Operations Manager position oversees throughput, safety, quality assurance, equipment maintenance, and workforce development all while integrating Mercer's core values into everyday facility operations.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily manufacturing lines, including automated CNC fabrications, adhesive layup, pressing, and finishing systems.
• Drive operational efficiency to successfully meet production targets, schedules, and project delivery times.
• Track, review, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to continuously monitor and elevate operational performance.
• Partner cross-functionally with the Mercer Supply Chain to ensure consistent stock of raw lumber and adhesives.
• Ensure all finished panels and beams strictly adhere to certifications, moisture content verifications, and engineering specifications.
• Spearhead continuous process improvements using Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies to eliminate bottlenecks.
• Manage, mentor, and evaluate supervisors and operators using Mercer's Tier Advancement and Mastery Points metrics.
• Be Safe and Healthy: Strictly enforce OSHA compliance, dust control systems, and comprehensive safety protocols across all shifts.
• Be Respectful: Actively cultivate an inclusive culture rooted in peer mentorship, transparency, communication, and operational teamwork.
• Be Bold: Implement and drive continuous process improvements, look to eliminate manufacturing bottlenecks and develop a continuity of operations for manufacturing.
• Be Sustainable: Optimize time utilization, reduce scrap rates, and manage wood byproduct.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum five years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing or a production environment preferably as it pertains to wood products manufacturing, sawmill operations, or heavy industrial production.
• A working knowledge of CNC timber processing machinery, press systems, structural adhesives, and PLC automation.
• Proven success applying Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar methods is essential.
• Strong knowledge of safety and quality systems (e.g. OSHA).
• Experience with managing budgets and driving performance and financial results is considered an asset.
• Effective communication, leadership, and decision-making skills.
• Familiarity with relevant product standards and certifications (e.g., ANSI/APA, ICC
• codes).
• Experience with managing multi-shift operations is considered an asset.

Salary & Benefits

• The salary for this position is $100,000 - $120,000 USD. Salary will commensurate with education and experience.
• Mercer offers a competitive group benefits package that consists of medical, vision, dental, and other various voluntary options. Benefits start on day one of employment. No waiting period.