Operations Manager

Operations Manager

Client Location: Henderson, Kentucky

Direct-Hire Full-Time

Growth Potential, Great Benefits & 401K

We are seeking a strong, people-centric Operations Manager to lead a heavy industrial manufacturing operation. This role is less about day-to-day process ownership and more about leading, developing, and elevating frontline and mid-level leaders to drive safe, efficient, and sustainable operations.

The ideal candidate is a visible, trusted leader who knows how to coach performance, hold teams accountable, and build leadership capability across the organization—while maintaining a deep understanding of manufacturing operations, safety, and environmental compliance.

This leader will play a key role in shaping culture, strengthening leadership bench depth, and driving long-term operational excellence.

Qualifications:

• 7 years of leadership experience in heavy industrial or manufacturing environments
• Proven success leading teams through performance management, coaching, and leadership development
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA safety standards and industrial compliance requirements
• Demonstrated ability to lead change and influence across multiple levels of the organization
• Solid operational acumen across production, maintenance, quality, and supply chain functions
• Experience managing budgets, production costs, and cost-reduction initiatives
• Familiarity with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 standards is a plus

Essential Duties:

• People Leadership & Development
• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and managers through regular performance feedback, goal setting, and accountability conversations.
• Build a strong leadership pipeline by identifying high-potential talent and supporting leadership development initiatives.
• Address performance challenges directly and constructively, ensuring clear expectations and fair, consistent follow-through.
• Foster a culture of trust, ownership, and continuous learning across the operations team.
• Safety, Compliance & Culture
• Champion a proactive safety culture, ensuring adherence to OSHA regulations and environmental compliance standards.
• Reinforce safe behaviors through leadership presence, coaching, and consistent expectations.
• Support and advance the company’s CO₂ reduction and sustainability initiatives as a visible leadership priority.
• Operational Leadership
• Provide strategic oversight of production, maintenance, quality, and delivery functions.
• Partner with functional leaders to align operational goals with business objectives.
• Ensure operational discipline while empowering teams to identify and implement improvements.
• Continuous Improvement & Change Leadership
• Lead change initiatives that improve efficiency, reliability, and employee engagement.
• Encourage employee involvement in lean and continuous improvement efforts.
• Guide teams through operational and cultural change with clarity and consistency.
• Financial & Resource Management
• Own operational and capital budgets, driving cost awareness and responsible decision-making.
• Balance cost control with investments in people, equipment, and long-term capability.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required.