Operations Manager

Chase & Associates; Neenah (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Chase & Associates, a leading custom packaging solutions provider in Neenah, WI, seeks an Operations Department Manager to lead production across Label and Flexible Packaging departments. The role centers on driving operational excellence amid automation and digitalization initiatives within state-of-the-art facilities.

You will oversee multi-shift teams, optimize processes using Lean tools, and manage financial performance, quality, and safety.

Qualifications

• Must have 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership with direct responsibility for production teams.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing methodologies; Lean or Six Sigma certification is a plus.
• Strong leadership skills to inspire, mentor, and drive accountability across teams.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret production data and financial metrics.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate across functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire multi-shift production teams, setting clear goals aligned with company objectives.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing principles (5S, Kaizen, VSM, SMED, TPM) to optimize efficiency and OEE.
• Own the P&L for both departments, manage labor efficiency, material yield, and indirect spend.
• Establish and enforce quality standards, GMPs, and customer specifications.
• Lead safety initiatives, conduct safety walks, and drive hazard elimination.
• Recruit, hire, and train plant personnel with ongoing coaching and development plans.
• Collaborate with Scheduling, Maintenance, Quality, Sales, and Engineering to align capacity with demand.
• Drive root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective actions (8D, PDCA, A3) to eliminate defects.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Team leadership

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree (preferred) in Business Administration, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or related field

Job description

A leader in custom packaging solutions with nearly 50 years of industry innovation is seeking a driven Operations Department Manager to lead production across their Label and Flexible Packaging departments. This company specializes in a diverse range of products—including labels, flexible packaging, and paperboard folding cartons—serving multiple industry verticals from their state-of-the-art facilities in Neenah, Wisconsin. As they execute a transformation centered on growth, automation, and full digitalization, they are looking for a high-energy leader to drive operational excellence and build a winning culture.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead & Inspire: Provide strong leadership to multi-shift production teams, setting clear goals aligned with company objectives and fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Drive Operational Excellence: Champion Lean Manufacturing principles (5S, Kaizen, VSM, SMED, TPM) to optimize efficiency, reduce waste, and improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Own the P&L: Manage the financial performance of both departments, including labor efficiency, material yield, and indirect spend, while identifying cost-saving opportunities and delivering on monthly and annual commitments.
• Ensure Quality & Compliance: Establish and enforce quality standards, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and customer specifications to ensure all products meet or exceed requirements.
• Lead Safety Initiatives: Champion a zero-injury mindset by leading safety walks, ensuring timely incident investigations, and driving proactive hazard elimination.
• Develop Talent: Recruit, hire, and train plant personnel, providing ongoing coaching, feedback, and structured development plans to build bench strength and cross-functional capability.
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Partner with Scheduling, Maintenance, Quality, Sales, and Engineering to align production capacity with demand, improve uptime, and execute capital investments.
• Solve Problems: Drive root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective actions (8D, PDCA, A3) to eliminate recurring defects and operational bottlenecks.

What You Need:

• MUST HAVE: Minimum of 5 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience with direct responsibility for production teams.
• MUST HAVE: Demonstrated experience implementing Lean Manufacturing methodologies (Lean or Six Sigma certification is a plus).
• Strongly Preferred: Experience in the label, flexible packaging, or converting industries.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, mentor, and drive accountability across teams.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret production data and financial metrics.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.