Operations Manager

Klöckner Pentaplast; Rural Retreat (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Klöckner Pentaplast is looking for a Plant Operations Manager in Rural Retreat, Virginia. The successful candidate will oversee all manufacturing operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and profitable production aligned with quality and business objectives.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree and extensive leadership experience in manufacturing, with a strong focus on safety and continuous improvement initiatives. The role involves managing a workforce of 250-300 employees.

Qualifications

• 5 - 10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Strong background in plastics manufacturing, including extrusion, slitting, and calendering operations.
• Experience managing large production teams and driving operational improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily plant operations to achieve production, quality, safety, and cost targets.
• Oversee production planning, staffing, inventory, and resource utilization to maximize efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence programs.
• Develop, coach, and lead supervisors and production teams.

Skills

Manufacturing Operations Leadership

Continuous Improvement

Safety Management

Budgeting & Cost Control

Team Development

Problem Solving & Decision Making

KPI & Performance Management

Customer Focus

Strong Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or related field

Job description

kp is a globally recognised leader in the packaging and specialty film industry, renowned for its unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation. The need to act on climate change has never been clearer, so we incorporate sustainability into everything we do by #InvestingInBetter – creating innovative products that enhance product protection, shelf life, and contribute to reducing the overall carbon footprint.

The Plant Operations Manager is responsible for leading all manufacturing operations to ensure safe, efficient, and profitable production while meeting quality, customer, and business objectives. This role oversees production, maintenance, warehousing, workforce development, and continuous improvement initiatives within a high-volume plastics manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily plant operations to achieve production, quality, safety, and cost targets.
• Monitor and drive performance through KPIs, production reviews, and operational scorecards.
• Ensure compliance with all safety policies and foster a strong safety culture.
• Oversee production planning, staffing, inventory, and resource utilization to maximize efficiency.
• Manage plant budgets, labor costs, productivity, yields, scrap, rework, and overall operational performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence programs.
• Partner with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to resolve issues and improve service levels.
• Oversee maintenance activities to ensure equipment reliability and operational effectiveness.
• Develop, coach, and lead supervisors and production teams while promoting employee engagement and accountability.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to multiple supervisors and a workforce of approximately 250 - 300 employees.
• Manage hiring, training, performance management, employee development, and workforce planning.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, employment regulations, and operational standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related field.
• 5 - 10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Strong background in plastics manufacturing, including extrusion, slitting, and calendering operations.
• Experience managing large production teams and driving operational improvements.
• Demonstrated success in safety, quality, productivity, and cost management.

Key Competencies

• Manufacturing Operations Leadership
• Continuous Improvement
• Safety Management
• Budgeting & Cost Control
• Team Development
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• KPI & Performance Management
• Customer Focus
• Strong Communication Skills

Work Environment

This position operates within a manufacturing facility and requires regular plant-floor presence, including exposure to industrial equipment, moderate noise levels, and varying production conditions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the role.

At kp, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is vital to our global success. We welcome applicants from all identities, ideas, perspectives and experiences and encourage people from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. We aim to create an inclusive culture where our employees feel empowered to play to their strengths and see themselves reflected in the organization without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual preference, marital status, or inclusion in any other protected class.