Operations Support Manager

KI; Manitowoc (WI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation, sick time and holidays

Life and disability insurance

Onsite nurse

Onsite fitness center

Employee assistance program

Opportunities for professional development and growth

Job summary

KI, located in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, seeks an Operations Support Manager to enhance plant operations through continuous improvement initiatives. This role focuses on driving safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance by partnering closely with Engineering and Operations, while leading the operations support team.

Qualified candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and have at least five years of relevant experience. Benefits include medical insurance, 401(k) with company match, and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of manufacturing/operations or CI experience.
• Lean or Six Sigma certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement and support plant operations.
• Lead Lean/continuous improvement initiatives and Kaizen events.
• Analyze KPIs to identify inefficiencies and drive process improvements.

Skills

Lean knowledge (6S, VSM, JIT, etc.)

Strong problem-solving and data analysis skills

Leadership experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Business, or related field

Job description

Overview

At KI, we believe knowing our customers helps us serve them better. We listen. We observe. We understand that each customer has unique needs. We pride ourselves on helping customers make smart furniture decisions by offering expert advice, design options and personalized solutions. Since 1941, KI has positioned itself as the furniture company that best understands the furniture industry and is committed to providing customers with smart solutions. By targeting specific markets with solutions for business, university, educational, healthcare and government furniture, we can respond to customers’ unique needs – including the choice to procure furniture according to what fits their ordering and fulfillment process. We say we offer far more than furniture. We’re Furnishing Knowledge.

Position Summary

The Operations Support Manager drives continuous improvement and supports plant operations through cross-functional coordination. This role partners with Operations and Engineering to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead Lean/continuous improvement initiatives and Kaizen events
• Analyze KPIs to identify inefficiencies and drive process improvements
• Partner with Engineering on process optimization and standardization
• Lead and develop operations support team members
• Support resolution of production and quality issues
• Monitor performance and escalate risks impacting plant goals
• Ensure compliance with safety and company standards
• Communicate performance, priorities, and improvement updates

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Business, or related field
• 5+ years of manufacturing/operations or CI experience
• Lean knowledge (6S, VSM, JIT, etc.)
• Strong problem-solving and data analysis skills
• Leadership experience preferred
• Lean or Six Sigma certification preferred

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid vacation, sick time and holidays
• Life and disability insurance
• Onsite nurse
• Onsite fitness center
• Employee assistance program
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

KI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.