Plant Operations Leader – Lean Manufacturing

Socket.dev; Fraser (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Medical/HSA benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Boot allowance

Hands-on tooling experience

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee daily plant operations in a fast-paced automotive molding setting. You will lead production, maintenance, scheduling, and logistics to meet safety, quality, and throughput targets.

Ideal candidates have 5–7 years in operations/plant management, strong knowledge of injection molding, tooling, robotics, and automation, plus proven lean Six Sigma experience and ERP proficiency. Expect a hands-on, high-impact role with opportunities for growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or related field required.
• Minimum 5–7 years of operations or plant management experience in plastics or automotive manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of injection molding processes, tooling, robotics, and automation.
• Experience leading teams and implementing lean manufacturing and Six Sigma practices.
• Proficient in ERP systems and production planning tools.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily plant operations spanning production, maintenance, scheduling, and logistics.
• Drive lean initiatives to improve safety, quality, productivity, and cost.
• Monitor KPIs and make data-driven decisions to boost efficiency.
• Develop staff through training and a high-performance team culture.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, and supply chain to meet targets.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards (IATF 16949, ISO 14001).
• Oversee capital projects and equipment upgrades as needed.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions for downtime and bottlenecks.
• Maintain clear communication with internal stakeholders and customers.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Lean Six Sigma

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Manufacturing/Operations

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Production planning tools

Job description

Socket.dev is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee daily plant operations in a fast-paced automotive molding setting. You will lead production, maintenance, scheduling, and logistics to meet safety, quality, and throughput targets.

Ideal candidates have 5–7 years in operations/plant management, strong knowledge of injection molding, tooling, robotics, and automation, plus proven lean Six Sigma experience and ERP proficiency. Expect a hands-on, high-impact role with opportunities for growth.