Operations Team Leader

Colgate; Morristown, Northern (TN, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) with company matching

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

Colgate-Palmolive in Morristown, TN is seeking an Operations Team Leader to drive frontline production, improve safety and quality, and lead continuous improvement programs like Autonomous Maintenance and OPEX. You will manage technicians, plan schedules, and deliver strong KPI results.

The role requires a Bachelor's in engineering or related field, 2+ years supervisory experience, SAP FP&R proficiency, and effective communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or Business related field preferred.
• 2+ years supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment
• Strong proficiency in SAP systems and FP&R Standards
• Proficiency with Google Suite applications
• 1+ year of working knowledge of production and process equipment, preferably in processing industries such as food, chemicals or pharmaceuticals
• Ability to manage production activities, resource allocation, shift coordination, and schedule management
• Ensure adherence to GMP, QA, Food Safety, safety policies and environmental health standards
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and promote efficient information flow
• Ability to manage conflict and labor relations issues
• Work with internal and external partners and leadership; transfer of best practices
• Demonstrate leadership values aligned with Leadership Principles

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate the activities of Technicians engaged in production, planning work schedules and sequences
• Drive OPEX and continuous improvement, maintain KPIs and plant performance
• Track and analyze KPIs and prepare Plant Performance Reports
• Lead the Autonomous Maintenance program on the floor
• Coordinate operations within/between departments to ensure workflow
• Provide real-time coaching to Technicians
• Coordinate technical training and resolve labor concerns
• Ensure adherence to EHS standards, GMP, Quality Assurance, and safety issues

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team supervision

Production planning

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering / Supply Chain / Business

Tools

SAP

FP&R Standards

Google Suite

Job description

Established in 1806 as a small soap and candle business in New York City, Colgate-Palmolive is now a truly global company with products sold in over 200 countries and territories under such internationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, elmex, Tom's of Maine, Sanex, Ajax, Axion, Soupline, Haci Sakir, Suavitel, PCA SKIN, EltaMD, Filorga and Hello as well as Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet.
Colgate-Palmolive is a leading consumer products company that serves hundreds of millions of consumers worldwide with brands and products across four core businesses – Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. We are committed to offering products that make lives healthier and more enjoyable, and programs that enrich communities around the world.
Every day millions of people trust our products to care for themselves and the ones they love. Our goal is to use our technology to create products that will continue to improve the quality of life for our consumers wherever they live.
A career at Colgate-Palmolive is an excellent opportunity if you seek a global experience, constant challenge, and development opportunities in an environment that respects work/life effectiveness.

Travel Required?: Travel - up to 10% of time

Posting Start Date: 10/2/26

On-site

No Relocation Assistance Offered
Job Number#176435 - Morristown, Tennessee, United States

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!
Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.

The Operations Team Leader is the frontline driver of technical performance and team engagement. This position is responsible for managing frontline employees and daily production, as well as leading the execution of critical operational programs, including Autonomous Maintenance (AM) and Operational Excellence (OPEX) initiatives, that improve safety, quality, service, and cost. By closely connecting with employees, the Operations Team Leader builds engagement, fosters a culture of continuous improvement to maximize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and optimize yield variances, and ensures that key performance indicators and daily performance goals are consistently achieved. The role is accountable for delivering strong business results and data-driven insights while sustaining positive employee relations, productive labor relations, ongoing team development along defined career pathways., and ensures that the area’s technical assets and people operate at peak efficiency.

Duties and Responsibilities

Direct and coordinate the activities of Technicians engaged in production, responsible for planning and establishing work schedules, assignments, and production sequences to ensure all production goals and demands are met

Drive operational excellence (OPEX) and continuous improvement individually and among the team, adhere to all EHS, Quality, and Operational Efficiency standards, maintain KPIs, and lead in all OPEX initiatives and initiatives to optimize plant performance

Track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) and prepare Plant Performance Reports regarding inventory loss/gain and formula or yield variances, and identify and implement process improvements

Leads the Autonomous Maintenance (AM) program on the floor, maintaining action plans and ensuring tools are used correctly to drive program step progress and eliminate technical losses.

Confer with other supervisors and facility leaders to coordinate operations and activities within or between departments to ensure seamless workflow

Provides ongoing, real‑time coaching and feedback to Technicians to build their technical competencies and self‑sufficiency

Coordinate technical training to ensure team members have the necessary skills and competencies to meet the business needs, provide ongoing coaching and feedback, and timely resolution of labor concerns

Ensure strict adherence to EHS standards, Quality Assurance, Food Safety, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), lead incident investigations and support corrective action plans, and provide direction for safety and quality issues

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's Degree (Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or Business related field preferred)

Preferred Qualifications:

2+ years supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment

Strong proficiency in SAP systems and FP&R Standards

Proficiency with Google Suite applications

1+ year of working knowledge of production and process equipment, preferably in a processing industry such as food, chemicals or pharmaceuticals

Ability to manage production activities, resource allocation, shift coordination, and schedule management to meet production goals

Ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Quality Assurance, Food Safety initiatives, safety policies, and environmental health standards

Ability to communicate ideas clearly, listen to others, and promote efficient information flow

Ability to manage conflict, seeking mutually beneficial solutions, and effectively handling labor relations issues

Work collaboratively with internal and external partners, communicate effectively with leadership, and facilitate the transfer of best practices

Demonstrate leadership values inherently aligned with our company’s Leadership Principles

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to work in a manufacturing environment, including bending, climbing, crawling, kneeling, working in confined spaces and hazardous conditions, and lifting up to 50 lbs.

Ability to wear all required PPE and fall protection equipment.

Ability to work irregular shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and be on call during off hours.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range $70,000.00 - $107,500.00 USD
Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit‑sharing, and long‑term incentives for Executive‑level roles.
Benefits: Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year). Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.
Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.
For additional Colgate terms and conditions, please click here .

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