Plant Operations Manager

Food Management Search; Anderson (SC); On-site; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

20 days paid time off

Strong 401k matching retirement plan

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Food Management Search seeks an experienced Plant Operations Manager for its Anderson, SC facility. You will lead Production, Maintenance, Tooling, Engineering and Continuous Improvement to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost goals.

You will drive Lean, Six Sigma and Kaizen programs, manage budgets, and mentor cross-functional teams while partnering with senior leadership on strategic manufacturing initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business Administration or related discipline preferred.
• Five or more years of manufacturing operations leadership experience, preferably in blow-molding, injection-molding, plastics, and/or automotive manufacturing environments.
• Experience leading multiple operational functions: Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Tooling, Production Scheduling, and Continuous Improvement.
• Strong knowledge of automotive and manufacturing quality-management systems (IATF 16949, ISO 9001).
• Healthy understanding of environmental and safety management standards (ISO 14001, ISO 45001; OSHA & EPA).
• Proven experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen and other structured improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across Production, Scheduling, Maintenance, Tooling, Engineering and Continuous Improvement.
• Optimize utilization of personnel, equipment, materials and capital to maximize performance.
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen initiatives to drive continuous improvement.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve productivity, reduce costs, and enhance quality.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Maintenance to improve equipment reliability and plant efficiency.
• Lead capital projects and oversee equipment installation and commissioning.
• Set and report key performance metrics and take corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Coaching

Team development

Succession planning

Cross-functional teams

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Kaizen

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelors degree in Engineering

Bachelors degree in Manufacturing

Bachelors degree in Operations Management

Bachelors degree in Business Administration

Tools

IATF 16949

ISO 9001

ISO 14001

ISO 45001

OSHA compliance

Job description

Plant Operations Manager Our client is a forward-thinking global manufacturing company specializing in the design, development, and production of high-quality plastic components and assemblies for the automotive, industrial, and healthcare sectors. Through its commitment to innovation, sustainability, quality, and advanced manufacturing, the company supports leading global organizations in bringing the vehicles, equipment, and products of tomorrow to life. The company continues to strengthen its operational, technical, and manufacturing capabilities through an ambitious growth strategy supported by significant capital investment, strategic acquisitions, and sustained organic growth. With an established international presence and extensive expertise in advanced blow-molding and injection-molding technologies, the organization is well positioned for continued expansion. To support its next phase of development, the company is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead and enhance manufacturing operations at its facility in Anderson, South Carolina. In this role, you will provide overall leadership for the manufacturing operation, overseeing Production, Production Scheduling, Maintenance, Tooling, Engineering, Technical Resources, and Continuous Improvement. You will be accountable for achieving key safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost objectives while leading cross-functional teams to drive operational excellence, strengthen manufacturing performance, and support the organization’s broader strategic goals.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction across Production, Production Scheduling, Maintenance, Tooling, Engineering, Technical Resources, and Continuous Improvement.
• Optimize the utilization of personnel, equipment, tooling, technology, materials, and capital resources to maximize operational performance.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other continuous improvement initiatives throughout the operation.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve productivity, reduce operating costs, minimize downtime, enhance quality, and optimize manufacturing processes.
• Partner with Engineering and Maintenance to improve equipment reliability, preventive maintenance programs, tooling performance, and overall plant efficiency.
• Lead capital projects and support the evaluation, procurement, installation, commissioning, and ongoing optimization of new equipment, tooling, and manufacturing systems.
• Establish, monitor, and report on key operational performance metrics, implementing corrective actions to address production, safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost-related issues.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including OSHA, EPA, ISO, and IATF standards.
• Manage departmental budgets and maintain effective control over labor, materials, maintenance, capital, and other operating costs.
• Work cross-functionally with Materials Management, Human Resources, Quality, and Environmental Health and Safety teams, while building productive relationships with external service providers, contractors, suppliers, and vendors.
• Lead, coach, and develop cross-functional teams while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, employee engagement, and operational excellence.
• Support workforce planning, talent development, performance management, and succession planning to strengthen the organization’s long‑term leadership and technical capabilities.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and execute operational strategies aligned with the organization’s broader business objectives and growth plans.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline is preferred.
• Five or more years of manufacturing operations leadership experience, preferably within blow-molding, injection-molding, plastics, and/or automotive manufacturing environments.
• Previous leadership experience within the automotive manufacturing industry is highly desirable.
• Proven experience leading multiple operational functions, including Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Tooling, Production Scheduling, and Continuous Improvement.
• Strong knowledge of automotive and manufacturing quality‑management systems, including IATF 16949 and ISO 9001.
• Strong understanding of environmental and occupational health and safety management standards, including ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, together with working knowledge of applicable OSHA requirements and EPA regulations.
• Demonstrated experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other structured continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including experience managing budgets and controlling labor, materials, maintenance, capital, and general operating costs.
• Experience overseeing preventive maintenance programs, equipment reliability, tooling performance, facility requirements, and capital investment projects.
• Excellent leadership, communication, coaching, team‑development, and succession‑planning capabilities.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing metrics, production planning, capacity planning, scheduling, and operational performance management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross‑functional teams, manage competing priorities, and deliver measurable operational improvements within a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base Salary: $160,000–$180,000 per annum – Negotiable on Experience
• Performance Bonus: Up to 16% of salary P/A
• Benefits: Generous paid time off (20 Days), comprehensive holiday calendar, family health insurance plan, a strong 401k matched retirement plan, and excellent opportunities for career growth and development.

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent Location: Anderson, South Carolina