Plant Operations Leader: Lean & Continuous Improvement

Rare Bird Recruiting, LLC; Bloomington (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Rare Bird Recruiting, LLC seeks an experienced Operations Manager to lead day-to-day plant operations in a complex manufacturing environment in Bloomington, IL. You will drive safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives while scaling production to meet customer schedules and new program launches.

The role requires hands-on leadership, Lean expertise, and a track record of developing teams, improving productivity, and achieving measurable operational results in an automotive supplier context.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred or equivalent manufacturing leadership experience.
• Experience managing complex manufacturing operations; automotive supplier experience strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting new program launches and production ramp-ups.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and problem-solving methodologies.
• Working knowledge of automotive quality systems and customer requirements.
• Experience with financial controls, budgeting, labor management, and operational KPIs.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, develop talent, and drive measurable operational results.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily plant operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
• Lead production teams and ensure customer schedules and manufacturing requirements are met.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and operational efficiencies.
• Monitor labor efficiency, machine utilization, production performance, and operating costs.
• Lead and develop Production Supervisors, Team Leaders, Technicians, and production personnel.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards, customer-specific requirements, and safety policies.
• Lead root cause analysis and 8D corrective actions to address quality, downtime, and production issues.
• Support new program launches, production readiness, and manufacturing ramp-up activities.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve productivity, and increase plant profitability.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and efficient manufacturing environment.
• Communicate operational performance, improvement initiatives, and business results to senior management.
• Promote employee engagement, accountability, and a culture of operational excellence.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Leadership

Operations management

Kaizen

Problem solving

Budgeting & finance

KPIs

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP systems

Quality management systems

Job description

Rare Bird Recruiting, LLC seeks an experienced Operations Manager to lead day-to-day plant operations in a complex manufacturing environment in Bloomington, IL. You will drive safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives while scaling production to meet customer schedules and new program launches.

The role requires hands-on leadership, Lean expertise, and a track record of developing teams, improving productivity, and achieving measurable operational results in an automotive supplier context.