Operations Manager

MEA Energy; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation and holidays

Disability insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

ALPLA is seeking an Operations Manager for its Marked Tree plant. You will lead production teams to ensure safe, efficient operations and drive profitability.

The role emphasizes cost control, budget adherence, and regulatory compliance in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor degree in Business or Engineering, at least 3 years of related experience, and strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Required Bachelor Degree in Business/Engineering or related fields or equivalent education/work experience
• At least 3 years of related experience required
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong and proven team building capabilities
• Basic understanding of corporate finance functions
• Fundamental understanding of plastic manufacturing process
• Technical aptitude

Responsibilities

• Lead the production team to ensure safe, efficient, and profitable operations
• Drive operational excellence through planning, resource management, and continuous improvement
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards
• Meet production targets while controlling costs to support business objectives
• Oversee plant safety and OSHA compliance
• Manage P&L and budgeting processes
• Lead hiring, training, and performance evaluations
• Develop talent and foster a culture of safety and continuous improvement
• Maintain effective internal and external stakeholder communication

Skills

OSHA compliance

P&L responsibility

Budgeting

Capacity planning

Team leadership

Talent development

Safety management

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor Degree in Business/Engineering

Job description

ALPLA's Marked Tree, Arkansas manufacturing site is looking for an Operations Manager.

Build a Career, Not Just a Job

Join ALPLA, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions serving some of the world's most recognized brands, including P&G, Unilever, L'Oréal, PepsiCo, and many more.

As a family-owned company with locations around the world, ALPLA offers stable careers, hands-on training, competitive benefits, and opportunities for growth. Whether you're an experienced manufacturing professional or looking to start a new career, we provide the support and development you need to succeed.

At ALPLA, we invest in our people, promote from within, and foster a culture focused on safety, teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement. From apprenticeship programs and technical training to leadership development opportunities, ALPLA is committed to helping employees build long-term careers.

What Can You Expect From ALPLA

• Competitive pay and comprehensive benefits
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Childcare and dependent care savings programs
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Company-paid life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement and educational assistance programs
• Career growth and advancement opportunities
• Employee recognition programs
• Hands-on training and professional development
• A stable, growing company committed to sustainability

What You Will Enjoy Doing

The Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and profitable operation of the ALPLA production plant. This role provides leadership and direction to the production team, driving operational excellence through effective planning, resource management, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Operations Manager ensures compliance with all safety, quality, and regulatory standards while meeting production targets and controlling costs to support overall business objectives.

• Overall Plant Safety/OSHA Compliance
• P&L Responsibility/Expense control
• Group reporting
• Budgeting and Investment Planning
• Capacity Planning
• Customer Service
• Human Resources
• Warehouse (if applicable)
• Quality Assurance
• Sales: Maintenance of existing accounts
• Policies/Procedures
• Machine and Infrastructure Maintenance
• Implementation and proper usage of OPEX initiatives
• Leading the Team
• Recruits (with HR) new employees
• Performs disciplinary actions
• Assesses training needs of staff and ensures execution of training
• Provides an active plant personnel development, training, and acknowledge sharing culture
• Performs annual Performance Evaluation

Performance Metrics:

Safety Risk Level: Proactively identifies and mitigates safety risks, with documented improvements or action plans implemented quarterly

Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE): Identifies and addresses root causes of downtime to improve OEE performance as defined in the annual Target Declaration process.

Waste Percentage:

Maintains waste levels at or below ___% of total production (target to be defined by plant standards).

Implements waste reduction initiatives, which contribute to an overall improvement that enables waste levels to be at or below the targets, as defined in the annual Target Declaration process.

Cost Controlling: Supports adherence to department budget by identifying cost-saving opportunities and reducing non‑value-added activities

Competencies:

• Being Resilient
• Drives Engagement
• Situational Adaptability
• Directs Work
• Develops Talent
• Nimble Learning
• Builds Effective Teams
• Customer Focus

What Makes You Great

• Required Bachelor Degree in Business/Engineering or related fields or equivalent education/work experience
• At least 3 years of related experience required
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong and proven team building capabilities
• Basic understanding of corporate finance functions
• Fundamental understanding of plastic manufacturing process
• Technical aptitude

ALPLA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: ALPLA is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at ALPLA are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. ALPLA will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

• Immigration sponsorship is not eligible for this role