Operations Manager/Plant Manager

IPG; Blythewood (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

IPG in Blythewood, SC is seeking an Operations Manager to plan, direct and optimize day-to-day manufacturing activities while upholding safety and quality standards. You will lead a management team, drive productivity, reduce waste, and manage budgets and KPIs across the plant.

You should hold a bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Industrial Technology, or Engineering with 5+ years of manufacturing leadership experience and a lean mindset.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Industrial Technology or Engineering or equivalent experience.
• Master’s degree in Operations Management preferred
• 5+ years’ previous management experience in a manufacturing environment with proven leadership abilities.
• Experience with lean manufacturing principles and implementing a lean culture.
• Effective leadership skills, with a strong focus on plant and business processes.
• A clear and solid understanding of personnel policies, practices and procedures and other operational issues faced by the organization.
• Effective attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and accountability.
• Sound analytical thinking, planning, prioritization, and execution skills.
• Diplomacy, negotiation, conflict resolution and people management skills.
• Excellent computer skills using Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Establish the plant’s strategic goals and objectives and ensure alignment with the business team.
• Drive the management team to productivity gains, waste reduction and overhead cost minimization.
• Benchmark to set new standards for safety, quality, productivity, service and costs.
• Set and maintain safety standards and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Develop and implement new business strategies to improve plant performance.
• Meet with department heads to resolve cross-unit issues.
• Ensure appropriate staff levels to meet facility needs.
• Maintain positive employee relations.
• Support and develop operations policies and systems across the company.
• Review plans for output, budget, material efficiency and resources.
• Monitor P&L and financial performance against budgets.
• Analyze KPIs and industry trends; report findings.
• Develop strategies to improve departmental financial performance.
• Handle customer inquiries and complaints escalated from departments.
• Analyze customer concerns and present solutions.
• Review monthly P&L to control expenses and plan production goals.
• Examine reports to determine operational activities and ensure optimum performance.
• Ensure adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as required.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Communication

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Industrial Technology or Engineering or equivalent experience

Master’s degree in Operations Management preferred

Job description

Join the IPG Team!

Are you ready to elevate your career? At IPG, we are more than just a global leader in packaging and protective solutions—we are a community that values safety, people, passion, integrity, performance, and teamwork. From tapes and films to packaging and protective products, as well as engineered coated materials and advanced packaging machinery, we develop innovative solutions that protect the world. Now, we are expanding our global team and looking for talented individuals like you!

Join the IPG Team!

Are you ready to elevate your career? At IPG, we are more than just a global leader in packaging and protective solutions—we are a community that values safety, people, passion, integrity, performance, and teamwork. From tapes and films to packaging and protective products, as well as engineered coated materials and advanced packaging machinery, we develop innovative solutions that protect the world. Now, we are expanding our global team and looking for talented individuals like you!

Position Description

Title: Operations Manager

Department: Operations

Immediate Supervisor: VP Operations

Status: Exempt - Salaried

Position Purpose: Plan, organize, direct and control day-to-day operations to achieve department and plan objectives while following applicable safety, process and procedural standards.

Principle Accountabilities

• Establish the plant’s strategic goals and objectives and ensure alignment with the business team.
• Focus and drive the management team to innovative solutions to productivity gains, waste reduction (yield optimization) and minimization of overhead costs.
• Actively pursue benchmarking to set new standards for safety, quality, productivity, service and costs using competitive knowledge and industry information.
• Sets and maintains high safety standards ensuring proper accountabilities and implementing processes to eliminate unsafe work practices. Ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulations, and the Company health and safety roles and responsibilities.
• Develop and implement new business strategies for creating or improving processes and procedures to improve plant performance.
• Meet regularly with department heads/business unit leaders; facilitate resolution of issues/problems between business units and/or departments.
• Responsible for appropriate staff levels to meet requirements of the facility.
• Maintain positive employee relations at the facility.
• Enable teamwork and collaboration through information sharing meetings with all departments.
• Support and develop operations policies, procedures and systems to meet the goals of the Company such as the Intertape Performance System, lean manufacturing philosophies and the ISO Quality System.
• Review and approve plans for the control of planned output, budget spending, material efficiency, waste, engineering effectiveness and human resources.
• Budget preparation and monitoring of P&L.
• Monitor financial performance to ensure the plant is meeting or exceeding budgetary commitment.
• Analyze and report on the plant’s daily, monthly and annual key performance indicators and industry trends.
• Develop and implement strategies around improving the financial performance of the departments.
• Handle customer enquiries and complaints which are escalated from the departments.
• Analyze the customer’s concern and present options to solve the issue.
• Review and use the monthly profit and loss statements to ensure expense control and proactively plan production goals.
• Examine reports (e.g., inventory, production and daily reports) to determine the operational activities of the Company and ensure optimum performance.
• Ensure that all reporting employees adhere to Company policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as required.

Essential Skills And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Industrial Technology or Engineering or equivalent experience.
• Master’s degree in Operations Management preferred
• 5+ years’ previous management experience in a manufacturing environment with proven leadership abilities.
• Experience with lean manufacturing principles and implementing a lean culture.
• Effective leadership skills, with a strong focus on plant and business processes.
• Able to identify key issues; creatively and strategically overcome internal challenges or obstacles.
• A clear and solid understanding of personnel policies, practices, procedures and other operational issues faced by the organization.
• Effective attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
• High level of integrity, confidentially, and accountability.
• Sound analytical thinking, planning, prioritization, and execution skills.
• A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills.
• Excellent computer skills using Microsoft Office Suite.

Why Choose IPG?

At IPG, you will find more than just a job—you will find a place where your success is our success. We pride ourselves on a culture built around strong relationships, where every team member plays a crucial role in our growth. Whether it is through cross-department collaboration, continuous training, or sustainability-driven initiatives, we create an environment where you can thrive. Our commitment to sustainability influences everything we do, from designing eco-friendly products to minimizing waste in our production processes. We are dedicated to building a greener future while providing safe, supportive workplaces for our people. With over 40 years of industry expertise and a proven track record of growth and innovation, IPG offers a stable, secure environment where you can flourish! We offer competitive pay, extensive benefits that support you and your family, and exciting career development opportunities. Whether you are looking to enhance your skills or advance your career, we offer ongoing training and the support you need to succeed. Think big, dream bigger, and make an impact with IPG.

You belong here. Join us today!