Operations Manager - Plant 10

Howmet Aerospace Inc.; Whitehall Township (MI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) with employer matching

Paid holidays and vacation

Parental leave

Life insurance

Tuition assistance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Howmet Aerospace Inc. in Whitehall, MI seeks a staff-level manufacturing leader focused on safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement. You will drive OEE, manage plant teams, and implement lean practices to meet customer delivery targets while controlling costs and improving processes.

You will lead shift teams, develop budgets, and collaborate with engineering to optimize operations, mentoring supervisors and operators for sustained performance and growth.

Qualifications

• 10 years of people leadership experience; 7 in a manufacturing environment.
• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship not available.

Responsibilities

• Lead staff in manufacturing excellence and continuous improvement of plant performance metrics (quality, productivity, cycle time, delivery, cash flow).
• Follow safety regulations and maintain safe work environment.
• Drive OEE, production value, daily shipment targets, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Develop budgets and strategic plans aligned with BU objectives.
• Mentor and develop plant leaders, supervisors, and manufacturing support personnel.

Skills

Leadership

Teamwork

Continuous Improvement

Lean Manufacturing

OEE

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor's Degree (Preferred)

Job description

Responsibilities

This position will be located in Whitehall, MI.

Responsibilities

This position will be located in Whitehall, MI.

Job Roles

• Empowering talent--identifies and removes obstacles to productivity at individual and systemic levels; inspires and equips people to perform; understands direct link between people and measurable performance; provides cross-training opportunities.
• Flexibility--responds readily to a variety of stimuli in an environment where every day can be different; capable of multitasking and moving quickly from one topic to another; employs different mindsets or perspectives situationally.
• Organized and time conscious--manages time well; does what is needed efficiently; understands how long processes require and manages expectations; accordingly, navigates the tension between availability and proactivity.
• Business-minded--aligns people and resources to demand; forecasts need and synthesizes input to anticipate focus areas on a time and project basis; thorough understanding of business enables quick decisions where appropriate.
• Interpretation and synthesis--makes sense of multiple inputs quickly and efficiently; generates action plans from available information; interprets data and qualitative information to provide justification and purpose; rationalizes decision making with substantive reasoning; understands relevant numbers and trends.
• Rigor--participates in audit processes; utilizes existing systems extensively and expertly; solicits information from shift level to enterprise; creates processes through continuous improvement.
• Team orientation--often involved at a tactical level; can contribute technically or operationally if needed, though not as first option; retains authority while delegating ownership.
• Trust and relationship--communicates openly and regularly, maintaining information flow; visible on floor; focuses attention on strengths and achievements, while addressing shortcomings as needed.
• Ingenuity--finds efficiencies and gains time closer to delivery; solicits and implements ideas; invites improvement from any sector or level.
• Professional posture--handles escalations objectively and dispassionately; recasts difficult situations as opportunities for learning and growth; custodian of plant environment and brand.

Job Responsibilities

This is a staff level position responsible for providing leadership in manufacturing excellence, ensuring customer satisfaction and continuous improvement of plant performance measurements (quality, productivity, cycle time, delivery, and cash flow).

• Follow Safety Regulations along with all department specific safety requirements.
• OEE
• Production Value Added by department.
• Daily targets for shipments
• Profit/Revenue
• Ensure the safety of all employees by promoting a clean and safe work environment.
• Improve manufacturing planning, execution, and shop floor discipline.
• Provide leadership for Plant ABS and lean manufacturing initiatives.
• Provide leadership to identify and remove non-value-added waste.
• Improve product flow and/or implement method improvements to reduce labor content.
• Develop and train for the professional and personal growth of team leaders, cell facilitators, supervisors, and other manufacturing support personnel.
• Address any safety issues or non-compliances immediately.
• Promote Injury Free Event (IFE) reporting.
• Accountable for applicable department budgets.
• Maintain good relations and communication with Howmet customers.
• Develop with plant manager and staff budget, strategic plans, team goals and objectives that align with BU objectives.
• Flow down goals and objectives to the entire organization.
• Contribute to other location specific and corporate teams.
• Maintain excellent delivery performance.
• Conduct capacity analysis to drive standard work and ensure accuracy of standards.
• Drive cost reductions to improve profitability.
• Use lean manufacturing tools to reduce WIP and cycle time.
• Communicate all relevant information to Staff, customers, and management.
• Understand constraint management, OEE and apply techniques that exploit constraints to improve OEE.
• Provide leadership in implementing continuous improvement methods and ideas.
• Consults with engineering personnel relative to modifications to the process to improve production and quality of the products.
• Provide leadership in a safety and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED from an accredited institution
• 10 years of people leadership experience; 7 of which are in a manufacturing environment
• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution
• Experience in the investment casting industry
• Strong leadership skills that create an engaged employee environment
• Able to drive improvement through the implementation of the lean manufacturing principles, total quality practices, six sigma
• A strong technical understanding of manufacturing processes
• Strong analytical, problem solving, communication, interpersonal, organizational and negotiation skills.
• Strong financial literacy
• Experience with tooling, molds and dies relating to the Investment Casting, Injection Molding, or Stamping Industries is preferred

About Us

Compensation and Benefits:

If a pay range is identified for this job, it is based on a good faith estimate at the time of this posting. Actual compensation is subject to variation due to factors such as education, experience, skillset, market/business considerations, and/or location.

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision benefits coverage, including FSA and HSA account options
• Pre-tax and Roth 401(k) retirement savings plans offering employer matching funds and a separate employer retirement contribution
• Paid holidays and vacation time (eligibility, accrual, and usage are discretionary and governed by applicable policies)
• Paid parental leave and adoption assistance programs
• Life insurance and disability coverage plans
• Optional coverage plans for auto, home, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance
• Tuition Assistance Program and ongoing professional development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Our Story:

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $8.3 Billion in revenue in 2025, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers’ success and making a positive impact on the world. To learn more about the way Howmet Aerospace Inc. is advancing the sustainability of our customers, markets, and communities where we operate, review the 2025 Environmental Social and Governance report at www.howmet.com/esg-report . Follow: LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube .

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Howmet is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

If you need assistance to complete your application due to a disability, please email: [e-mail]