Operations Manager - Manufacturing

Wealth Recruitment, LLC; Anderson (SC); On-site; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 16% annual bonus

Health insurance

20 days PTO

401(k) matching

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Wealth Recruitment, LLC partners with a global plastics manufacturer in Anderson, SC to hire an Operations Manager who will oversee Production, Scheduling, Maintenance, Tooling, Engineering, and Continuous Improvement. You will drive safety, quality, delivery, and cost improvements while leading cross-functional teams.

The role requires 5+ years in manufacturing leadership, strong Lean/Six Sigma experience, and knowledge of IATF 16949 and ISO 9001.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of manufacturing operations leadership experience in automotive/plastics environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OSHA requirements, and EPA regulations.
• Proven experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership across Production, Scheduling, Maintenance, Tooling, Engineering, Technical Resources, and Continuous Improvement.
• Optimize people, equipment, tooling, technology, materials, and capital to maximize plant performance and efficiency.
• Lead capital projects for evaluation, procurement, installation, commissioning, and optimization of new equipment and technologies.
• Establish and manage operational KPIs across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, downtime, and equipment performance.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, ISO, and IATF requirements and foster a safety-first culture.
• Recruit, coach, and develop high-performing teams and drive accountability and collaboration.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

Lean / Six Sigma

Budget management

Cross-functional leadership

Safety & quality focus

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Manufacturing/Operations

Job description

Our client is a forward-thinking global manufacturer specializing in the design, development, and production of high-quality plastic components and assemblies for the automotive, industrial, and healthcare sectors. With advanced expertise in blow molding and injection molding, the company partners with leading global organizations to bring the vehicles, equipment, and products of tomorrow to life.

Driven by innovation, sustainability, quality, and operational excellence, the organization is entering an exciting period of continued growth supported by significant capital investment, strategic acquisitions, and organic expansion.

To support this growth, the company is seeking an accomplished Operations Manager to lead manufacturing operations at its facility in Anderson, South Carolina.

This is a high-impact leadership opportunity with responsibility for Production, Production Scheduling, Maintenance, Tooling, Engineering, Technical Resources, and Continuous Improvement. The Operations Manager will play a critical role in improving plant performance, developing high-performing teams, and delivering measurable improvements across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost.

What You’ll Do

• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership across Production, Scheduling, Maintenance, Tooling, Engineering, Technical Resources, and Continuous Improvement.
• Optimize the use of people, equipment, tooling, technology, materials, and capital to maximize plant performance and manufacturing efficiency.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives across the operation.
• Identify and implement opportunities to increase productivity, reduce costs and downtime, improve quality, and strengthen manufacturing processes.
• Partner closely with Engineering and Maintenance to improve equipment reliability, preventive maintenance, tooling performance, and overall plant efficiency.
• Lead capital projects involving the evaluation, procurement, installation, commissioning, and optimization of new equipment, tooling, and manufacturing technologies.
• Establish and manage operational KPIs across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, downtime, and equipment performance, taking corrective action when targets are not achieved.
• Ensure compliance with applicable OSHA, EPA, ISO, and IATF requirements and maintain a strong culture of safety and quality.
• Manage departmental budgets and maintain effective control of labor, materials, maintenance, capital expenditures, and other operating costs.
• Partner cross-functionally with Materials Management, Human Resources, Quality, and Environmental Health & Safety.
• Develop productive relationships with suppliers, contractors, vendors, and external service providers.
• Recruit, coach, mentor, and develop high-performing teams while creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, employee engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Support workforce planning, performance management, talent development, and succession planning to strengthen long-term organizational capabilities.
• Partner with senior leadership to develop and execute operational strategies aligned with the company's growth objectives.

What We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on manufacturing leader who combines strong operational expertise with the ability to develop people, improve processes, and drive sustainable performance.

• 5+ years of manufacturing operations leadership experience, ideally within automotive, plastics, injection molding, and/or blow molding environments.
• Previous automotive manufacturing leadership experience is highly desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple manufacturing functions, including Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Tooling, Scheduling, and Continuous Improvement.
• Strong knowledge of IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 quality-management systems.
• Understanding of ISO 14001, ISO 45001, OSHA requirements, and EPA regulations.
• Proven success implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and structured continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing KPIs, production and capacity planning, scheduling, equipment reliability, and operational performance management.
• Experience overseeing preventive maintenance programs, tooling performance, facility requirements, and major capital investment projects.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets and controlling labor, material, maintenance, capital, and operating costs.
• Proven ability to lead and develop cross‑functional teams, manage competing priorities, and deliver measurable operational improvements.
• Excellent communication, coaching, performance‑management, and succession‑planning skills.

The company offers a highly competitive compensation package designed to attract an experienced manufacturing leader:

• Base Salary: $160,000–$180,000 annually, negotiable based on experience
• Annual Performance Bonus: Up to 16%
• Paid Time Off: 20 days
• Comprehensive company holiday calendar
• Family health insurance plan
• Competitive 401(k) matching program
• Excellent opportunities for professional development and long-term career advancement

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Operations Manager, Plant Operations Leader, Manufacturing Manager, or Senior Manufacturing Operations professional who wants to take ownership of a broad operational function and make a measurable impact within a growing global manufacturing organization.