Operations Manager

Job Title: Operations Manager

Reports To: Plant Manager

Work Location: On-site

Status: Exempt

Full Time/Part Time: Full-time

Compensation: $100,000 - $115,000

Position Description:

Our customer is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead daily production within a high-volume processing facility near Cedartown, GA. Reporting to the Plant Manager, this individual will be responsible for production flow, throughput, labor performance, order fulfillment, and continuous improvement

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This is a fast-paced operation with an exceptionally short inventory cycle and a high degree of operational urgency. Success requires strong floor leadership, disciplined production management, rapid problem-solving, and the ability to coordinate people and resources throughout each stage of the process.

The Operations Manager will lead production supervisors, team leads, and hourly employees. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who can improve operational efficiency, develop frontline leadership, and create accountability across the production floor.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct daily production activities to meet safety, quality, throughput, cost, and customer-service objectives.
• Lead and develop production supervisors, team leads, and hourly employees.
• Manage the flow of materials through each stage of production to ensure orders are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Monitor production schedules, staffing levels, labor utilization, and capacity throughout the shift.
• Track and improve KPIs related to hourly output, throughput, productivity, quality, order fulfillment, and labor efficiency.
• Identify bottlenecks, workflow interruptions, and performance gaps, then implement timely corrective actions.
• Coordinate with maintenance, distribution, HR, safety, and other plant functions to prevent disruptions and meet operating requirements.
• Lead daily production meetings and communicate priorities, expectations, and performance results to the team.
• Maintain a visible presence on the production floor and reinforce safety, quality, and performance standards.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, CI, root-cause analysis, standard work, and structured problem-solving methods.
• Improve workflow, plant layout, material movement, staffing models, and production processes.
• Develop sustainable operating procedures and ensure consistent execution across shifts and departments.
• Support employee training, performance management, engagement, and retention.
• Provide the Plant Manager with regular updates on production results, operational risks, staffing needs, and improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of progressive operations or production leadership experience in manufacturing, industrial processing, co-packing, metal processing, automotive, or a comparable high-volume environment.
• Experience leading supervisors, team leads, and hourly production employees.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, workflow management, labor utilization, safety, quality, and operational performance.
• Demonstrated success improving throughput, productivity, labor efficiency, quality, or order fulfillment.
• Experience implementing Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, standard work, or structured problem-solving practices.
• Ability to use operational data and KPIs to identify performance gaps and drive corrective action.
• Experience building or improving processes within a growing, changing, startup, or turnaround environment.
• Strong leadership, communication, decision-making, and organizational skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in operations, engineering, business, or a related field preferred. Equivalent operations leadership experience will be considered.

Preferred Experience

• Tier 2 or Tier 3 automotive manufacturing, metal processing, co-packing, or another high-volume processing environment
• Plant startup, turnaround, acquisition integration, or operational transformation
• Experience developing frontline supervisors and team leads
• Familiarity with ISO standards or certification initiatives

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements for this office role include the ability to sit or stand for extended periods, typically up to 8 hours a day, and regularly operate standard office equipment such as computers and phones. Employees should be able to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally and frequently perform tasks that require typing, writing, and document handling. Effective verbal and written communication skills are necessary, along with adequate visual and auditory abilities to read materials and participate in meetings.

EEOC Statement:

Strategic Systems, Inc., and its affiliates, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We believe diversity drives innovation and we are dedicated to fostering a workplace that respects and values the contributions of all individuals.