Senior Operations Manager Plastics & Packaging

D; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage

401k with company match

STD/LTD disability coverage

Company-paid Life Insurance

FSA for Medical & Dependent Care

EAP counseling services

Wellness program

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Job summary

D&W Fine Pack is seeking an Operations Manager to drive excellence in safety, productivity, quality, and employee engagement across extrusion and thermoforming operations. You will lead shifts, manage staffing, monitor OEE, and partner with Maintenance and Engineering to improve uptime and efficiency.

The role requires a strong Lean/continuous improvement background, 7+ years of leadership experience in plastics packaging environments, and excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or related field is preferred.
• 7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience is required.
• Experience managing supervisors and multiple production departments is required.
• Experience in plastics manufacturing, food packaging, extrusion, thermoforming, automated packaging, or related environments is strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational metrics.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and employee development experience.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and manufacturing/ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee daily manufacturing operations across all shifts.
• Support leadership to ensure operational effectiveness and equipment reliability.
• Ensure production schedules, efficiency goals, quality standards, and customer demands are achieved.
• Monitor and analyze operational metrics including productivity, downtime, scrap, labor utilization, and OEE.
• Maintain strong floor presence while providing hands-on leadership and operational support.
• Coordinate staffing, labor allocation, and production priorities to meet changing business needs.
• Drive accountability and operational discipline across all production departments.
• Partner with Maintenance and Engineering to improve uptime and process consistency.
• Coach and develop Shift Supervisors, Setup Technicians, and Maintenance Technicians.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, waste reduction, and process optimization.
• Ensure safety and regulatory compliance in all manufacturing areas.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Leadership & Team Development

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

ERP systems

Problem solving

Education

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

Tools

ERP systems

Packaging machinery knowledge

Job description

D&W Fine Pack is seeking an Operations Manager to drive excellence in safety, productivity, quality, and employee engagement across extrusion and thermoforming operations. You will lead shifts, manage staffing, monitor OEE, and partner with Maintenance and Engineering to improve uptime and efficiency.

The role requires a strong Lean/continuous improvement background, 7+ years of leadership experience in plastics packaging environments, and excellent communication skills.