Plant Operations Manager

ClearBridge Executive Search; New Troy (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

ClearBridge Executive Search leads a manufacturing operations leadership role in Michigan, overseeing labor planning, production scheduling, material control, cost management, waste reduction, and on-time delivery. The role drives Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement to boost safety, quality, and plant organization.

The person will build and develop the operations leadership team, foster teamwork and accountability, and ensure compliance with quality, safety, and environmental

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education/experience.
• Min 5 years of operations leadership in high-volume manufacturing; automotive preferred.
• Experience working in a union environment.
• Strong strategic planning and organizational skills.
• Lean, Kaizen, continuous/process improvement, materials management, freight/distribution, production scheduling, and manufacturing systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily manufacturing operations, including labor planning, production scheduling, material control, cost management, waste reduction, quality, and on-time delivery.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, 5S, continuous improvement, and problem-solving initiatives to improve operational performance, safety, quality, and plant organization.
• Build and develop the operations leadership team, strengthening employee relations and promoting a culture of teamwork, accountability, respect, and ownership.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards, customer specifications, safety requirements, environmental regulations, company policies, and applicable union agreements, while overseeing employee training, attendance, and development programs.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Kaizen

Continuous improvement

Problem solving

Production scheduling

Materials management

Waste reduction

Quality control

Safety

Union experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Job description

• Lead daily manufacturing operations, including labor planning, production scheduling, material control, cost management, waste reduction, quality, and on‑time delivery
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, 5S, continuous improvement, and problem‑solving initiatives to improve operational performance, safety, quality, and plant organization
• Build and develop the operations leadership team, strengthening employee relations and promoting a culture of teamwork, accountability, respect, and ownership
• Ensure compliance with quality standards, customer specifications, safety requirements, environmental regulations, company policies, and applicable union agreements, while overseeing employee training, attendance, and development programs

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum 5 years of operations leadership experience in high‑volume manufacturing; automotive industry experience strongly preferred
• Experience working in a union environment
• Strong strategic planning, problem‑solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and plan 1–2 years ahead
• Solid knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, continuous/process improvement, materials management, freight/distribution, production scheduling, and manufacturing systems