Operations Manager - Manufacturing (Nights)

Ashley Furniture Industries; Advance (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision

Paid Time Off

Employee Discount

Professional Development

Tuition Assistance

401(k) and Profit Sharing

Life Insurance

Job summary

Ashley Furniture Industries in Advance, NC is seeking a Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead production across multiple departments, driving efficiency on the shop floor and mentoring Supervisors to achieve targets for cost, quality, and safety. This hands-on role requires close collaboration with Supervisors, Schedulers, HR, and Quality to meet objectives and promote Lean practices.

The ideal candidate will spend most of their time on the manufacturing floor, leading from the front and

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in production leadership or related manufacturing area.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills with ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams.
• Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Quality Improvement principles and methodologies.
• Hands-on, Gemba walk leadership style with preference for leading from the manufacturing floor.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across organizational levels.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays as operational needs require.

Responsibilities

• Direct production activities for multiple departments, work centers, and processes on an assigned shift to meet production targets and quality standards.
• Lead efforts to develop new processes and improve product quality by working with internal and external customers and suppliers.
• Plan in forward capacity by coordinating with purchasing, production planning, and inventory control to meet production and financial objectives.
• Ensure shift personnel adhere to highest shop floor standards, 5S, and plant cleanliness.
• Monitor production schedules and adjust priorities to meet changing business needs and customer requirements.
• Spend majority of time on the manufacturing floor engaging directly with teams and processes.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Problem Solving

Communication

Data-Driven Decisions

Education

Associate's degree in Business, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

ERP systems (SAP/Oracle)

Job description

Build Your Career with Ashley Furniture - Where Innovation Meets Comfort

At Ashley, inspiring the love of home is at the heart of everything we do. As the world's largest manufacturer of home furnishings, we're more than a business — we're a family driven by innovation, competitiveness, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. We persevere through challenges, push beyond the status quo, and constantly seek better ways to deliver an exceptional customer experience. Our solutions-first mindset and dedication to growth are why Ashley remains #1 in our industry.

Who We Are

With a true \"Growth Mindset,\" Ashley Furniture invests in developing future leaders and helps every team member learn from the best in the business.

Summary

The Manufacturing Operations Manager directs production activities for multiple departments, work centers, and processes on an assigned shift, leading and mentoring production Supervisors to achieve overall performance goals for production, cost, quality, and safety. This hands‑on, results‑driven leadership role thrives on the manufacturing floor, spending the majority of time driving efficiency, solving problems, and mentoring the team right where the action happens. The Operations Manager coordinates production activities through planning with departmental Supervisors, Schedulers, HR Managers, and Quality Systems Trainers to ensure that manufacturing objectives are accomplished in a timely and cost‑effective manner. The ideal candidate is a \"roll up your sleeves\" leader who is passionate about building a world‑class operational culture through presence, accountability, and direct engagement with the people and processes that drive our success—preferring to lead from a Gemba walk over a conference room.

Responsibilities

Production Leadership & Operations Management

• Direct production activities for multiple departments, work centers, and processes on an assigned shift to meet production targets and quality standards


• Lead the efforts to develop new processes and improve product quality by working with internal and external customers and suppliers


• Plan in a forward capacity by working with purchasing, production planning, and inventory control to achieve and maintain product flow to meet production and financial objectives


• Ensure that shift personnel adhere to the highest standards of shop floor organization, plant cleanliness, and 5S principles


• Monitor production schedules and adjust priorities to meet changing business needs and customer requirements


• Spend majority of time on the manufacturing floor engaging directly with teams, processes, and problem‑solving in real‑time


• Lead from the front lines through active presence, observation, and hands‑on involvement in daily operations

Budget & Resource Management

• Work to maintain budget for functional area including labor, materials, utilities, and overhead costs


• Monitor and control departmental costs while maintaining production and quality standards


• Identify cost reduction opportunities without compromising safety or quality


• Track and report on financial performance metrics and variances


• Optimize resource utilization to maximize efficiency and minimize waste

Team Leadership & Development

• Ensure adequate staffing to meet production needs through effective workforce planning and scheduling


• Make employment decisions and/or recommendations on hiring, improvement plans, transfers, promotions, corrective actions, terminations, pay adjustments, etc.


• Coordinate and manage the work of employees by directing members of the team to meet the area's goals and production objectives


• Audit regularly to ensure standard operating procedures are being adhered to and quality standards are maintained


• Manage employee performance and assist employees in making improvements to their performance through coaching, mentoring, and administering performance reviews


• Recommend, plan, and/or implement employee training and skill development activities to build organizational capability


• Audit, maintain, and ensure employee time‑keeping and absentee records are accurate and comply with company policies


• Communicate company and departmental issues and goals through weekly team meetings, regular individual employee meetings, coaching, training, and company‑offered learning opportunities


• Facilitate employee growth and development by identifying career paths and providing developmental opportunities


• Build strong relationships with production Supervisors through mentorship, coaching, and daily engagement

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure employees receive proper safety training, maintain a safe work environment, and perform safe work practices at all times


• Perform regular safety audits and address unsafe conditions or behaviors immediatelyEnsure compliance with OSHA regulations and company safety policies across all production activities


• Lead safety meetings and promote a culture of safety awareness throughout the manufacturing operations


• Investigate incidents, implement corrective actions, and prevent recurrence


• Ensure proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to safety protocols

Quality & Process Improvement

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Quality Improvement principles


• Implement system improvement methods to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and improve product quality


• Conduct capacity planning and optimize product flow to maximize throughput and minimize bottlenecks


• Monitor quality metrics and implement controls to reduce defects and customer complaints


• Collaborate with Quality Assurance teams to resolve quality issues and implement corrective actions


• Participate in root cause analysis and problem‑solving activities using Gemba walks and direct observation

Resource Optimization

• Manage resources to optimize equipment, facilities, employees, methods, and materials


• Ensure proper maintenance and calibration of production equipment


• Monitor equipment performance and coordinate with Maintenance on preventive and corrective maintenance


• Implement best practices for production efficiency and equipment utilization

Core Values Demonstration

• Demonstrate the Company's Core and Growth Values in the performance of all job functions


• Model expected behaviors and hold team accountable to company values and standards


• Lead by example through visible, active presence on the manufacturing floor

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Business, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field required (or equivalent work experience)


• Minimum 5 years of experience in production leadership or related manufacturing area


• Proven supervisory or management experience with direct reports


• Management of resources to optimize equipment, facilities, employees, methods, and materials


• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Quality Improvement principles and methodologies


• Experience with system improvement methods, capacity planning, and product flow optimization


• Excellent leadership and team‑building skills with ability to motivate and develop high‑performing teams


• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities with data‑driven decision‑making approach


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to collaborate across all organizational levels


• Hands‑on, \"Gemba walk\" leadership style with preference for leading from the manufacturing floor


• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook)


• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays as operational needs require


• Physical ability to walk production floors extensively, stand for extended periods, and work in manufacturing environment

Additional Qualifications, Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or related field


• 7+ years of manufacturing operations experience in furniture, wood products, or related industry


• Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt)


• Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or similar platforms)


• Background in budgeting, financial analysis, and P&L management


• Knowledge of OSHA regulations and workplace safety management


• Experience with automated manufacturing systems and advanced manufacturing technologies


• Project management experience with capital improvement initiatives


• Understanding of quality management systems and statistical process control


• Advanced degree (MBA) or operations management certification

Work Environment

This position is located in an active industrial manufacturing and distribution center with moderate to high noise levels, temperature variations, and material handling equipment in operation. The role requires extended periods of walking production floors, standing, and direct engagement in manufacturing areas. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses and steel‑toed boots is required. The fast‑paced environment involves time‑sensitive and safety‑sensitive operations. This is a highly visible, floor‑based leadership role requiring significant time on the manufacturing floor engaging directly with teams and processes.

Pay

Competitive compensation based on experience

Benefits We Offer

• Health, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program


• Paid Time Off; increases with years of service


• Generous Employee Discount on home furnishings


• Professional Development Opportunities


• Tuition Assistance


• Ashley Wellness Centers (location specific)


• 401(k) and Profit Sharing


• Life Insurance

Our Core Values

Honesty & Integrity: Acts with transparency, discretion, and ethical judgment. Trusted to handle sensitive information and provide accurate, unbiased insights.

Dirty Fingernail: Takes full accountability for outcomes, not just tasks. Inspects details, ensures data accuracy, and follows through to completion.

Continuous Improvement: Actively seeks better ways to improve templates, tools, and processes. Learns from prior initiatives and embeds lessons into standard work.

Growth & Results Focus: Understands how transformation initiatives drive growth, cost reduction, and profitability. Keeps work aligned to enterprise priorities.

Culture of Leadership: Leads through influence, reliability, and example. Builds trust across functions and supports leaders at every level.

Customer‑Centric & Boundaryless: Works across silos for the greater good of the organization. Ensures outputs meet the needs of executives, initiative owners, and teams.

Operational Excellence: Demonstrates strong organizational discipline, attention to detail, and the ability to translate ambiguity into clear, executable tools.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and provide a drug‑free working environment. While Ashley appreciates the interest of all candidates, only those meeting specific position requirements may be contacted. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. The company reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Notice to Search Firms

We are not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms. We will not pay any placement, referral or other fees to any search firms unless we have agreed otherwise in a valid, written agreement for the specific position posted and signed by an authorized representative of Ashley Furniture Industries.

Please note this position is not eligible for current or future employment sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or at any time in the future.