What are the responsibilities and job description for the Manager of Manufacturing Operations position at RHE Hatco?
About Us
Hatco is proud to be the leading hat manufacturer in the United States, known for craftsmanship, quality, and innovation. With decades of experience and a passion for American-made excellence, we continue to shape the future of hat manufacturing through teamwork, integrity, and continuous improvement.
We are looking for an accomplished Manager of Manufacturing Operations to serve as a key strategic partner who will report to the Director of Manufacturing Operations. This is a critical role responsible for driving operational excellence, optimizing processes, and developing high-performing teams.
Position Overview
The Manager of Manufacturing Operations will oversee all aspects of daily production to ensure the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency are met. This individual will serve as a key leader in developing and executing operational strategies, identifying process improvements, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement across the plant.
Key Responsibilities
- Partner with the Director of Manufacturing Operations to develop and execute production strategies that align with company goals and growth objectives.
- Lead, coach, and develop production supervisors and front-line teams to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets.
- Monitor and analyze key performance metrics to identify trends, eliminate bottlenecks, and drive continuous improvement.
- Champion process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize resource utilization.
- Promote and enforce a strong culture of safety, accountability, and high-performing work environment rooted in teamwork and respect.
- Partner closely with Engineering, Quality, and Maintenance teams to resolve issues, improve workflows, and sustain operational excellence.
- Oversee workforce planning, skills development, and training programs to build capable, engaged, and high-performing teams.
- Communicate effectively across all organizational levels — providing clear updates, insights, and recommendations to senior leadership.
- Ensure compliance with all company policies, safety standards, and applicable regulations.
Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive manufacturing operations experience, including at least 3 years in leadership or managerial capacity overseeing production teams.
- Proven track record of developing and mentoring cross-functional teams, fostering internal talent growth.
- Exceptional leadership, coaching, and communication abilities — able to influence and align teams at all levels.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
- Demonstrated success in process improvement initiatives, operational cost reduction, and driving metrics like productivity, Overall Equipment Efficiency, and waste reduction.
- Self-motivated leader with strong initiative, ownership, and results orientation.
- Bilingual - Spanish preferred.
Why Join Us
- Be part of a growing company shaping the future of the Western lifestyle.
- Work with iconic brands recognized around the world
- Enjoy a collaborative, fast-paced environment where new ideas are encouraged
- Opportunity for growth and development across digital, merchandising, and operations