Operations Manager

AAM - American Axle & Manufacturing; Sanford (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Dauch Corporation is seeking an Operations Manager for its Sanford, NC forging facility. You will oversee a 24/7, four-shift operation, driving safety, quality, and productivity while developing frontline leaders and aligning with maintenance, engineering, and supply chain.

You will implement Lean initiatives, Kaizen events, and data-driven decisions to improve OEE, throughput, and cost performance in a high-volume environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical field.
• 8+ years of progressive manufacturing experience, preferably in forging or heavy industrial environments.
• Proven leadership managing multi-shift operations in a 24/7 production setting.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Kaizen with success leading transformation initiatives.
• Experience driving productivity using OEE, throughput, and labor efficiency.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and production planning tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead a 4-shift, 24/7 forging facility, aligning safety, quality, people, volumes, and cost.
• Coach and develop shift supervisors and frontline leaders.
• Drive safety culture and enforce EHS standards across all operations.
• Translate demand into actionable production plans and optimize resource use.
• Lead Kaizen events, productivity workshops, and root-cause problem solving.
• Monitor KPIs, implement corrective actions, and communicate performance reports.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Continuous Improvement

Kaizen

ERP/MRP systems

Production planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, or related technical field

Tools

Production planning tools

Job description

Job Posting Title

Operations Manager

Job Description Summary

Dauch is searching for an Operations Manager to join our team. This position will be based out of our Sanford, NC location.

As an Operations Manager, you will oversee a 24/7 forging operation running across four shifts, ensuring that production schedules, customer commitments, and performance requirements are consistently met. You will drive the effective utilization of equipment, workforce, and materials while leading continuous improvement initiatives. This role is responsible for developing a culture of operational excellence through Kaizen events, productivity improvements, and sustainable Lean manufacturing practices. You will also manage staffing, development, and performance programs for frontline leadership and hourly teams.

Job Description:

• Lead daily operations across a 4-shift, 24/7 forging facility, ensuring alignment on safety, quality, people, volumes, and cost (SQPVC).
• Manage staffing, scheduling, and performance while ensuring consistent execution of policies and standards across all shifts.
• Champion a culture of safety by enforcing EHS standards and ensuring strict compliance across all forging operations.
• Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks while reinforcing safe behaviors at all levels.
• Recruit, coach, and develop shift supervisors and frontline leaders.
• Drive performance management, compensation planning, and workforce development to maintain a high performing, engaged team.
• Translate customer demand and forecasts into actionable production plans and priorities.
• Optimize allocation of equipment, tooling, materials, and labor to meet production and delivery targets.
• Drive improvements in OEE, labor efficiency, scrap reduction, throughput, and cost performance.
• Monitor KPIs and implement corrective actions to close performance gaps.
• Lead Kaizen events, monthly productivity workshops, value stream mapping, and root cause problem-solving initiatives.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across the site.
• Monitor plant performance and respond to dynamic production demands.
• Resolve scheduling, capacity, and bottleneck constraints using data-driven decision-making.
• Lead daily, weekly, and monthly operating reviews to track KPIs and drive accountability.
• Prepare and communicate reports on throughput, downtime, scrap, and productivity trends.
• Partner with maintenance and engineering to improve equipment reliability and up time.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Engineering, and Quality to meet customer requirements.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Education

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, or a related technical field required.
• 8+ years of progressive manufacturing experience, preferably in forging, metal forming, or heavy industrial environments.
• Proven leadership experience managing multi-shift operations in a high-volume, 24/7 production setting.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Kaizen methodologies with demonstrated success leading transformation initiatives.
• Experience driving productivity improvements using metrics such as OEE, throughput, and labor efficiency.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and production planning tools.

About Dauch:

Dauch Corporation is a premier Driveline and Metal Forming supplier serving the global automotive industry with a powertrain-agnostic product portfolio that supports electric, hybrid, and internal combustion vehicles. The company is headquartered in Detroit, MI, with operations that span 24 countries and more than 175 locations. Formed through the acquisition of Dowlais Group plc and its subsidiaries - GKN Automotive and GKN Powder Metallurgy, Dauch unites deep engineering roots with global manufacturing capabilities and an entrepreneurial spirit to move mobility forward. Visit www.dauch.com to learn more.

Dauch will not discriminate against any Associate or applicant for employment because of age, race, color, gender, religion, weight, height, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, or other characteristic protected by law. Dauch will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that Associates are treated equally during employment, without regard to their age, race, color, gender, religion, weight, height, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, national origin, or other characteristic protected by law. For the Disabled Job Seeker: We offer reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled individuals who are applicants for employment. To request assistance or accommodations, please e-mail [e-mail]. Dauch is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.