Operations Manager - Second Shift

Columbia Sportswear Company; Robards (KY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401k with company match

Employee discounts

Paid time off

Job summary

Columbia Sportswear Company is seeking a Production Manager in Robards, KY to lead the assigned production departments and ensure efficient operation. You will schedule coverage, monitor workflows, and drive improvements while maintaining a safe working environment.

Lead cross-functional teams, develop staff, and align with department KPIs and labor utilization. Strong communication, training, and problem-solving skills are essential for continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Logistics, or Industrial Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 2–4 years’ experience in materials management and distribution; 1–3 years supervisory preferred.
• Familiarity with Warehouse Management, Labor Management, and sortation systems.

Responsibilities

• Schedule and manage production department coverage and workflow.
• Train and monitor department personnel in methods and KPI tracking.
• Ensure safety training and safe operation of equipment.
• Oversee cross-training and bench strength.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth information flow.
• Set production goals and drive continuous improvement via LEAN/5-S.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Training & Dev

Cross-functional teamwork

Safety & compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Logistics, or Industrial Engineering

Tools

Warehouse Management Systems

Job description

• Manage the assigned production department(s) and employees. Includes scheduling to ensure adequate department coverage, monitoring workflow and adjusting as needed, while anticipating changes.
• Maintain and develop the training of department personnel in proper work methods and ensuring these methods are being followed. Includes recording performance and monitoring employee efficiency, department KPI’s, and labor utilization.
• Protect well-being and safety of department personnel by ensuring that employees are trained in safe work practices, ensuring that these practices are followed and ensuring that equipment is in safe and working order and maintained properly. Participate in Safety program and committee, recommending solutions for any deficiencies.
• Oversee department(s) cross training program and employee development to ensure proper coverage and bench strength, including backup of supervisor(s), coordinators, and all assigned personnel.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams, including technical support staff, human resources, Account Operations, Control Room, Traffic, etc. to ensure smooth flow of information, product, and processes.
• Coordinate with other departments and managers to resolve issues, ensure all materials and/or product are available, and labor is moved as needed within the facility.
• Set and meet production goals as needed throughout the various seasons.
• Analyze problems and options regarding continuous improvement methods. Trouble-shoot system problems. Participate in Continuous Improvement projects and LEAN/5-S activities to drive Cost Per Unit targets.
• Ensure that staff is properly trained and in complete understanding of all policies and procedures within the department(s).
• Ensure that a high degree of security for personnel and company assets is maintained.
• Maintain positive open lines of communication with all Columbia Sportswear management, staff, and other departments to contribute to the smooth flow of information and efficient operation of the organization.
• Ability to cope with a stressful work environment and cordially interact with coworkers to accomplish common tasks.

Essential Functions

• Manage the assigned production department(s) and employees. Includes scheduling to ensure adequate department coverage, monitoring workflow and adjusting as needed, while anticipating changes.
• Maintain and develop the training of department personnel in proper work methods and ensuring these methods are being followed. Includes recording performance and monitoring employee efficiency, department KPI’s, and labor utilization.
• Protect well-being and safety of department personnel by ensuring that employees are trained in safe work practices, ensuring that these practices are followed and ensuring that equipment is in safe and working order and maintained properly. Participate in Safety program and committee, recommending solutions for any deficiencies.
• Oversee department(s) cross training program and employee development to ensure proper coverage and bench strength, including backup of supervisor(s), coordinators, and all assigned personnel.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams, including technical support staff, human resources, Account Operations, Control Room, Traffic, etc. to ensure smooth flow of information, product, and processes.
• Coordinate with other departments and managers to resolve issues, ensure all materials and/or product are available, and labor is moved as needed within the facility.
• Set and meet production goals as needed throughout the various seasons.
• Analyze problems and options regarding continuous improvement methods. Trouble-shoot system problems. Participate in Continuous Improvement projects and LEAN/5-S activities to drive Cost Per Unit targets.
• Ensure that staff is properly trained and in complete understanding of all policies and procedures within the department(s).
• Ensure that a high degree of security for personnel and company assets is maintained.
• Maintain positive open lines of communication with all Columbia Sportswear management, staff, and other departments to contribute to the smooth flow of information and efficient operation of the organization.
• Ability to cope with a stressful work environment and cordially interact with coworkers to accomplish common tasks.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree specializing in Business Administration, Logistics, or Industrial Engineering, OR equivalent industry experience.
• Requires at least 2-4 years’ experience in materials management and distribution. One to three years of supervisory experience preferred.
• Familiarity with Warehouse Management systems, Labor Management systems, sortation systems and warehouse operations preferred.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY

• Manage Production Supervisors and staff consistent with company policy: reviewing job descriptions and staff duties to meet DC evolutions, employee relations and concern resolution, performance measurement and feedback, process/procedure documentation, coaching to strengths and improvement.
• Above average ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
• Possess good negotiation, interpersonal, communication, training, and development skills.
• Ability to lead and motivate others.
• Ability to plan, organize, operate independently, implement, and follow through on projects.
• Mental ability to conduct ongoing interpersonal interactions and analyze and solve problems is essential.

JOB SCOPE

• Job involves a wide variety of work situations. Variety exists in terms of problem resolution and managing multiple projects and deadlines.
• Job involves a high degree of complexity and detail. Incumbent works from some established practices and procedures and is required to initiate the creation of new ones as needed. Duties are performed with general and/or specific directions given, and work is checked or verified by results.
• Decisions are made within general Distribution Center guidelines. Errors in judgment can adversely affect inventory and delivery of goods to customers from the Distribution Center, resulting in customer dissatisfaction and possibly loss of sales.

JOB CONDITIONS

• Job may require hours that often exceed 8 hours per day and/or 40 hours per week to complete priority projects.
• Exposure to Distribution Center machinery/equipment such as conveyor belts, forklifts and loading docks

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function in the company.

Columbia Sportswear Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Columbia Sportswear is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf. If you need reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please notify your recruiter.

At Columbia Sportswear Company, we’re proud to offer regular full-time employees a benefits package that includes a variety of services and products to help make your life and work more rewarding. Our benefit programs contribute to overall employee well-being by aligning those programs with the fundamental elements of well-being: physical, social/emotional, financial, career and community. Benefits that can protect your family’s financial future and help you save money through our 401k plan plus a generous company match. Columbia offers medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, disability, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and an assortment of voluntary benefit offerings (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and legal services). In addition, Columbia offers EAP + which is free and confidential 24/7/365 counseling services. We have extensive wellness benefits, employee discounts and a generous time off program available.

If you need an accommodation/adjustment to successfully complete and submit your application, please reach out to [e-mail] with the Subject: Applicant Assistance Requested.