Operations Manager

Benteler Automotive Corp.; South Carolina; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

BENTELER Automotive Corp. in Columbia, SC, is seeking an Operations Manager to lead manufacturing at our new plant. This hands-on leader will help build the operations team, support the launch and ramp-up of production, and foster a culture focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost and continuous improvement.

You will partner with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance and HR to resolve issues, drive Lean manufacturing, and develop production leaders while ensuring compliance with company policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Progressive manufacturing leadership experience in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people development.
• Experience leading production supervisors and manufacturing teams.
• New-plant launch, ramp-up, or turnaround experience strongly preferred.
• Automotive or high-volume manufacturing experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily production activities to meet safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost targets.
• Support plant launch, ramp-up, staffing, training, and stabilization.
• Develop and coach production leaders and team members.
• Monitor performance and drive corrective actions as needed.
• Collaborate with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, HR to resolve issues.
• Drive Lean, standardized work, waste reduction, and continuous improvement.
• Manage capacity, labor, downtime, scrap, and costs.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality and environmental requirements.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

5S

Standardized work

Root cause analysis

Performance metrics

Leadership

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering / related field

Equivalent experience considered

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

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Division: BENTELER Automotive
Functional Area: Production; Engineering; Project-/Program Management
Career Level: Professional
Contract Type: Permanent/Full-time
Weekly Working Hours: 40.00
Required Languages: English
Requisition ID: 47923

At BENTELER, we make it possible. From promoting individual talents to international career prospects, or from generous opportunities for designing your career to personal development opportunities—at BENTELER, we always have answers to your questions about the future, based entirely on your personal needs. Diverse options that makes sure you can be anything and everything. Or, as we like to put it: BENTELER makes it happen!

The Operations Manager will lead manufacturing operations at our new Columbia, South Carolina plant. This hands‑on leader will help build the operations team, support the successful launch and ramp‑up of production, and establish a culture focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, continuous improvement, and employee development.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily production activities to achieve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost objectives.
• Support plant launch, production ramp‑up, staffing, training, and operational stabilization.
• Develop, coach, and hold production leaders and team members accountable for performance.
• Monitor operational results and lead corrective actions when performance does not meet expectations.
• Partner with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Human Resources to resolve operational issues.
• Drive Lean manufacturing, standardized work, waste reduction, and continuous‑improvement initiatives.
• Manage production capacity, labor utilization, downtime, scrap, and manufacturing costs.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and applicable safety, quality, and environmental requirements.
• Build an engaged, collaborative, and high‑performing plant culture.

Decision Authority

• Establish daily production priorities and allocate operational resources.
• Adjust staffing and production activities within approved plans.
• Stop production when an immediate safety, quality, environmental, or customer risk exists.
• Recommend hiring, development, corrective action, equipment, and process‑improvement decisions.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, production planning, capacity management, and cost control.
• Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, 5S, standardized work, root‑cause analysis, and visual management.
• Ability to interpret operational data and use performance metrics to drive improvement.
• Strong leadership, communication, decision‑making, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency with ERP or production‑management systems and Microsoft Office applications.

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, Manufacturing, or a related field preferred. Equivalent experience may be considered.
• Progressive manufacturing leadership experience with responsibility for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people development.
• Experience leading production supervisors and manufacturing teams.
• New‑plant launch, production ramp‑up, or operational‑turnaround experience strongly preferred.
• Automotive or other high‑volume manufacturing experience preferred.

This is an exciting opportunity to help build a new manufacturing operation from the ground up. You will help shape the team, culture, processes, and performance standards that will support the plant’s long‑term success.

Your contact

Paulo Rogerio Flaminio Figueira
BENTELER Human Resources

The BENTELER Group always has the answer. That’s because in each of our divisions and at every one of our sites, you can benefit from the size and diversity of an international corporation with more than 20,000 employees at around 90 locations worldwide.

The same is true in our BENTELER Automotive division. This is where intelligent solutions for the automotive world are born—and where we, as a partner, provide answers on central topics like safety, the environment, and efficiency to nearly every major automotive manufacturer. Whether it's the body, the chassis, or the engine, we’re constantly setting new standards with the products, materials, and technologies we develop and produce. Inventiveness that makes sure you can be and become anything. Or, as we like to put it: BENTELER makes it happen!

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"I am happy to assist you and accompany you as you get started at BENTELER."