Specialist, Manufacturing Cost and Operations

LCI Brand; Hazlehurst (MS); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

401(k) with match

Life Insurance

Paid holidays

Paid Time Off (PTO)

On-site Wellness program

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

LCI seeks an experienced Manufacturing Cost and Operations Specialist in Hazlehurst, MS, onsite. You will partner with the Director of Manufacturing and Plant Managers to improve financial and operational performance in support of our mission.

Responsibilities include margin analysis, PDP-driven BOM reviews, cost-roll maintenance, profitability assessments, continuous improvement, and inventory accuracy. You will help with SOP enhancements and cross‑functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• College graduate preferred.
• Extensive manufacturing knowledge. Advanced computer skills (especially Excel). Attention to detail. Strong cognitive skills, including problem analysis, decision-making, financial and quantitative analysis, and inventory management expertise.
• Five to seven years of manufacturing experience, good time management skills, and an engineering/technical background are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Review margin reports to identify areas for manufacturing improvement and pricing review.
• Analyze BOMs and routes, update PDPs, and ensure consistent structure across plants.
• Ensure weekly cost rolls reflect changes due to price or labor shifts.
• Analyze product lines for profitability while aligning with LCIs mission.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives.
• Assist with inventories and training supervisors on inventory and production planning.

Skills

Manufacturing knowledge

Excel proficiency

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Inventory management

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

AX ERP system

Job description

Manufacturing Cost and Operation Specialist

ABOUT LCI

The mission of LCI is to provide meaningful employment for the blind and visually impaired. We accomplish this in four ways:

• EMPLOY: We are one of the largest employers of people who are blind, creating meaningful careers and lasting skills that transform their lives.
• BUILD: We create over 2,000 products and distribute thousands more through manufacturing, retail, nationwide distribution, and e-commerce channels.
• SERVE: Many of our products are sold directly to the federal government. We were pioneers of "base supply centers," stores on military bases that employ the blind and visually impaired and provide mission-critical supplies to our nation's military.
• SUPPORT: We want to end blindness forever. To that end, we engage in philanthropic efforts for research into blindness and treatment for the visually impaired.

ABOUT THIS ROLE:

Responsible for analyzing data to improve the manufacturing operations. Will work with the Director of Manufacturing and the Plant Managers to implement changes to improve Manufacturing’s financial and performance results defined by LCIs mission.

LOCATION AND SCHEDULE

Hazlehurst, MS - Onsite

Monday-Friday 7:30am - 4pm

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review margin reports daily/weekly to identify areas for manufacturing improvement and also areas where selling price needs review.
• Work with various departments to do Product Development Plans (PDP) to analyze the overall cost. Through this process, review current BOMs and routes for any modifications and for new items, and structure the new BOMs and routes per the PDP. Review information with the plant manager. Ensure consistent structure throughout all plants.
• Ensure weekly cost rolls are being done so managed cost is being updated when deemed necessary due to significant price or labor changes.
• Analyze product lines for proper setup for employees, ensuring that LCI’s mission is considered and profitable, and recommend improvements.
• Champion for continuous improvement.
• Schedule and assist with annual inventories and all necessary documentation. Provide results to Director of Manufacturing. Identify potential problem areas based on the results. Assist with improving accuracy of inventory through investigation of BOM usage, damage, and scrap. Assist with training supervisors on inventory and production planning.
• In conjunction with site designees, review prepared analysis reports to determine slow-moving or obsolete inventory. Review items and recommend the best disposition, the disposition being working with Sales for other opportunities, repurposing, selling as is at a reduced price, or discarding.
• Assist with capital budgeting and also with justifications for CEPs throughout the year.
• Work with the director of Manufacturing and Plant Managers to improve Standard Operating Procedures
• Monitor reports such as inventory, adjustments, margin, sales orders, aging transfers, production orders, ensure all sales are allocated to the correct location, etc.
• AX super user, understand and assist with training in various areas, such as shipping, receiving, production order entry and review, and various other daily tasks needed to successfully manage a facility.
• Assist with special projects and assist when gaps arise.
• All other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• College graduate preferred
• Extensive manufacturing knowledge. Advance computer skills (especially Excel). Attention to detail. Strong cognitive skills, including problem analysis, decision-making, financial and quantitative analysis, and inventory management expertise.
• Five to seven years of manufacturing experience, good time management skills, and an engineering/technical background are a plus.

Why LCI?

• Purpose-driven company driven by principles, not profit
• Reach your highest potential: upward mobility is rewarded through hard work
• Competitive salary and compensation
• Basic Life Insurance at no cost to the employee
• 401(k) with match and Surplus-Sharing Plans
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Ten paid holidays annually
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• On-site Health and Wellness program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)