Operations Manager

Appvion, Inc.; Nekoosa (WI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Appvion, Inc. seeks an Operations Manager to lead our Wisconsin manufacturing site, driving safety, quality, delivery, and cost improvements while engaging team members and cross-functional partners.

You will champion continuous improvement, manage budgets, and align operations with strategic goals, ensuring performance targets are met and processes stay compliant and efficient.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of supervisory or leadership experience in manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of production processes, quality control, and lean methods.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Lead site safety, quality, service and cost targets.
• Drive continuous improvement and cost reductions.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams across departments.
• Manage budgets and allocate resources to meet schedules.
• Ensure production schedules are met and minimize downtime.
• Foster a culture of accountability and high employee engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Lean manufacturing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Manufacturing/Operations or related field

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Operations Manager provides strategic and day-to-day leadership at our manufacturing sites, ensuring operational excellence in safety, quality, delivery, productivity and employee engagement. This role is accountable for delivering high-performance results through effective leadership, operational discipline, and a culture of accountability. The Operations Manager will lead and motivate a team, coordinates with cross-functional teams, drive continuous improvement initiatives, and drives continuous improvement initiatives to optimize operational performance.

Organizational Development (20%)

• Develop and establish top-performing team members who are motivated, accountable, and committed to delivering outstanding results.
• Collaborate and interface effectively with all cross-functional departments—including Commercial, Finance, HR, Planning, Purchasing, and Product Development to maximize operational success and enhance expertise across the entire organization.
• Focus on building team capabilities to support long-term growth, operational excellence, and a culture of continuous improvement.

Core Operations Excellence (60%)

• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental (HSE) standards and regulations.
• Effectively manage and take full leadership accountability for the site’s annual operational targets, including safety, housekeeping, quality, service, scrap reduction, and manufacturing expenses.
• Deliver over $500K annually in operational cost improvements through disciplined project execution and effective budget management.
• Drive and achieve performance goals by monitoring key performance metrics and KPIs to assess productivity, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and communicate clear metrics for Safety, Quality, Service, Productivity, Scrap, and Housekeeping. Inspire and motivate the site team to take ownership and drive success.
• Ensure production schedules are consistently met by optimizing resource utilization and minimizing downtime to maximize operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with supply chain, planning, maintenance, quality assurance, and engineering departments to ensure smooth operations.
• Establish and drive sustainability initiatives that reduce environmental impact, optimize resource usage, and support the company’s commitment to long-term environmental responsibility.

Strategic Project Execution (20%)

• Demonstrate effective leadership, team collaboration and execution for all site projects, ensuring alignment and long-term sustainability for all active and completed initiatives, both operationally and environmentally.
• Support key cross-functional strategic initiatives by providing site leadership and accountability to execute project plans effectively.
• Ensure all approved capital and maintenance projects at the site are delivered on time, within budget, and achieve the expected payback.

Attributes:

Charismatic, congenial, inspirational and positive Leadership Approach style, Analytical, Problem Solver, Team Player, Accountable, Consistent demonstrated urgency practices and Execution Focused

Qualifications

• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related field preferred but not required; relevant experience will also be considered.
• Minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficient knowledge of production processes, quality control, and lean manufacturing principles such as Six Sigma, Kaizen, and 5S.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office Suite.

*LI-MD1

M2SP

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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