Operations Manager

Ellaway Blues Consulting; Greenwood (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Ellaway Blues Consulting is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee daily plant operations in a 24/7 manufacturing environment, leading supervisors and hourly staff to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production. You will drive improvements, manage performance, and partner with plant leadership on safety, quality, and cost objectives.

The role requires 7+ years in supervisory manufacturing, strong Lean/Six Sigma experience, and proven leadership and communication skills to develop teams

Qualifications

• 7+ years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Experience with Lean or Six Sigma manufacturing practices.
• Strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to recruit, train, and develop teams to meet operational goals.
• Ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced, 24/7 production environment.
• Strong communication skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support supervisory teams and production staff to maintain safe, efficient operations and strong workplace morale.
• Ensure clear communication between production teams and plant leadership to support operational alignment and policy adherence.
• Oversee hourly hiring, onboarding, and training to ensure employees are fully prepared before working on the production floor.
• Manage employee performance, including evaluations, coaching, and consistent application of workplace policies.
• Partner with plant leadership to develop and execute strategies that support production, quality, safety, and cost objectives.
• Maintain compliance with workplace safety standards and promote a strong safety culture.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and Lean manufacturing practices such as 5S, Kaizen, and operational performance tracking.
• Coordinate production schedules and staffing to meet operational demands and respond to changes in timelines or resources.
• Work closely with maintenance teams to support equipment reliability and minimize production downtime.
• Monitor production processes to identify opportunities for efficiency improvements, cost reduction, and inventory control.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Lean/Six Sigma

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Operations Manager oversees daily plant operations in a 24/7 manufacturing environment, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production. This role leads supervisors and hourly employees, drives operational performance, and supports initiatives that improve safety, productivity, and cost efficiency while maintaining a strong team culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support supervisory teams and production staff to maintain safe, efficient operations and strong workplace morale.
• Ensure clear communication between production teams and plant leadership to support operational alignment and policy adherence.
• Oversee hourly hiring, onboarding, and training to ensure employees are fully prepared before working on the production floor.
• Manage employee performance, including evaluations, coaching, and consistent application of workplace policies.
• Partner with plant leadership to develop and execute strategies that support production, quality, safety, and cost objectives.
• Maintain compliance with workplace safety standards and promote a strong safety culture.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and Lean manufacturing practices such as 5S, Kaizen, and operational performance tracking.
• Coordinate production schedules and staffing to meet operational demands and respond to changes in timelines or resources.
• Work closely with maintenance teams to support equipment reliability and minimize production downtime.
• Monitor production processes to identify opportunities for efficiency improvements, cost reduction, and inventory control.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field preferred.
• 7+ years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Experience with Lean or Six Sigma manufacturing practices.
• Strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to recruit, train, and develop teams to meet operational goals.
• Ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced, 24/7 production environment.
• Strong communication skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Working Conditions

• Ability to work in industrial environments, including outdoor conditions and varying temperatures.
• Comfortable working in hot, humid, cold, or noisy environments while following strict safety protocols.
• Required to wear appropriate safety equipment as needed.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and perform tasks such as walking, standing, climbing, stooping, pushing, and pulling for extended periods.
• Ability to safely work around industrial equipment and machinery while meeting applicable workplace safety standards.