Plant Operations Leader — Lean & Safety

Lincoln Electric; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 111,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

Lincoln Electric is seeking an Operations Manager to transform strategy into daily execution in a high‑performing plant. You will lead Production Managers, Supervisors, and frontline leaders, aligning people and processes to achieve safe, reliable, and profitable manufacturing performance.

You will collaborate across Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, and Supply Chain to ensure resources, priorities, and actions support the plant's objectives and drive continuous improvement,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in one of the listed fields or 12+ years of progressive manufacturing/ops leadership experience.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing, operations, or industrial leadership experience.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing managers, supervisors, or large manufacturing teams.
• Experience leading manufacturing operations in a complex industrial environment.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, and related principles.
• Experience using KPIs and data-driven decisions to improve performance.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and driving change.
• Experience managing labor resources, budgets, and productivity programs.

Responsibilities

• Own daily plant execution through tier visual management systems and safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people performance.
• Translate business priorities into clear production plans, operating expectations, and resource allocation.
• Lead efforts to improve safety, product quality, customer service, productivity, throughput, and costs.
• Use data and leader standard work to identify and eliminate losses.
• Drive structured problem‑solving and root cause analysis to address issues.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain and EHS to improve stability and excellence.
• Ensure staffing, scheduling alignment, and execution of business priorities.
• Escalation management and response coordination for disruptions.
• Develop Production Managers and frontline leaders; strengthen accountability and leadership.
• Use talent development tools to support workforce growth.
• Govern standards, budgets, and decision-making processes.
• Embed safety, environmental, quality and business continuity requirements.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Continuous Improvement

Visual Management

Leader Standard Work

Operational Excellence

Cross-functional leadership

Data-driven decision making

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Manufacturing, Industrial Management, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field

Job description

Lincoln Electric is seeking an Operations Manager to transform strategy into daily execution in a high‑performing plant. You will lead Production Managers, Supervisors, and frontline leaders, aligning people and processes to achieve safe, reliable, and profitable manufacturing performance.

You will collaborate across Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, and Supply Chain to ensure resources, priorities, and actions support the plant's objectives and drive continuous improvement,