Assistant Operations Manager Jobs in Pontotoc, MS

Who We Are:

At Ashley, inspiring the love of home is at the heart of everything we do. As the world’s largest manufacturer of home furnishings, we’re more than a business — we’re a family driven by innovation, competitiveness, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. We persevere through challenges, push beyond the status quo, and constantly seek better ways to deliver an exceptional customer experience. Our solutions-first mindset and dedication to growth are why Ashley remains #1 in our industry.

If you’re ready to grow, you’ve come to the right place. With a true “Growth Mindset,” Ashley Furniture invests in developing future leaders and helps every team member learn from the best in the business.

If you are a current Ashley employee: Please login to your UKG account and apply using the internal job board.

Summary:

The Senior Operations Manager will direct daily activities of Operations Managers and Supervisors on multiple shifts. This position will direct production activities for multiple work centers and processes on multiple shifts. The Senior Operations Manager will lead and mentor production managers and supervisors to achieve overall performance goals for production, cost, quality and safety. This position will coordinate production activities through planning with departmental Supervisors, Schedulers, Human Resources Managers and Quality Systems Trainers to ensure that manufacturing objectives are accomplished in a timely and cost effective manner.

Responsibilities:

Operations & Production Management

• Maintain all disciplines across multiple shifts for Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), audits, safety, and housekeeping
• Provide quality parts/product to ensure daily and weekly production schedules are consistently met
• Coordinate with maintenance teams to keep machines, tools, and assembly lines operating at peak efficiency
• Collaborate with Industrial Engineering to establish correct incentive standards on machines and assembly lines
• Plan forward capacity by working with purchasing and inventory control to achieve and maintain product flow that meets production and financial objectives

Quality & Process Improvement

• Partner with Product Quality Teams to maintain SOPs, conduct audits, and ensure the highest quality of parts and finished products
• Work with Product Quality Team and Lean Six Sigma professionals to drive continuous process quality improvements
• Collaborate with Production & Inventory Control (P&IC), Manufacturing Engineering, and Maintenance to enhance machine capabilities, improve tooling, and achieve cost reduction targets
• Reduce waste by optimizing the five key inputs to the manufacturing process
• Lead efforts to develop new processes and improve products by working with internal customers, suppliers, and domestic/overseas vendors

Safety & Environmental Management

• Partner with Environmental and Clean Up teams to maintain an optimal work environment throughout the plant
• Ensure shift personnel adhere to the highest standards of shop floor organization and plant cleanliness
• Champion workplace safety initiatives and compliance across all shifts

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop Operations Managers, Supervisors, and production personnel across multiple shifts
• Make employment decisions and recommendations on hiring, improvement plans, transfers, promotions, corrective actions, terminations, and pay adjustments
• Coordinate and manage the work of employees by directing team members to meet departmental and plant goals
• Ensure performance reviews are completed, define clear goals, and participate in administering performance evaluations
• Participate in compensation review processes for all levels of staff
• Manage employee performance and assist team members in improving through coaching, mentoring, and performance reviews
• Recommend, plan, and implement employee training and skill development activities
• Audit, maintain, and ensure employee time-keeping and absentee records are accurate

Communication & Collaboration

• Audit regularly to ensure standard operating procedures are being followed consistently
• Communicate company and departmental issues and goals effectively
• Facilitate employee growth and development through weekly team meetings, regular individual employee meetings, coaching, training, and company-offered learning opportunities
• Manage resources to optimize equipment, facilities, employees, methods, and materials

Financial Management

• Oversee and maintain budget for functional area
• Drive cost-effective operations while meeting quality and production targets

Company Values

• Demonstrate Ashley Furniture's Core and Growth Values in the performance of all job functions

Qualifications required:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or related field or equivalent work experience, Required
• 10 years in a manufacturing role, Required
• Management Experience
• Obtain Powered Industrial Vehicle license
• Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Quality Improvement principles and system Improvement Methods
• Capacity planning and product flow

Work Environment

• This position is located in an active industrial manufacturing and distribution center with moderate to high noise levels, temperature variations, and material handling equipment in operation. The role may require extended periods of standing or walking on concrete floors and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses and steel-toed boots. The fast-paced environment involves time-sensitive and safety sensitive operations and may include various shift schedules to support production and distribution needs.

Benefits We Offer:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off; increases with years of service
• Generous Employee Discount on home furnishings
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Tuition Assistance
• Ashley Wellness Centers (location specific)
• 401(k) and Profit Sharing
• Life Insurance

Our Core Values:

• Honesty & Integrity: Acts with transparency, discretion, and ethical judgment. Trusted to handle sensitive information and provide accurate, unbiased insights.

• (Dirty Fingernail: Takes full accountability for outcomes, not just tasks. Inspects details, ensures data accuracy, and follows through to completion.

• Continuous Improvement: Actively seeks better ways to improve templates, tools, and processes. Learns from prior initiatives and embeds lessons into standard work.

• Growth & Results Focus: Understands how transformation initiatives drive growth, cost reduction, and profitability. Keeps work aligned to enterprise priorities.

• Culture of Leadership: Leads through influence, reliability, and example. Builds trust across functions and supports leaders at every level.

• Customer-Centric & Boundaryless: Works across silos for the greater good of the organization. Ensures outputs meet the needs of executives, initiative owners, and teams.

• Operational Excellence: Demonstrates strong organizational discipline, attention to detail, and the ability to translate ambiguity into clear, executable tools.

Interested in learning more about Ashley Furniture’s Community Engagement programs, Environmental Stewardship, or our Core Values, click the links below:

Corporate Social Responsibility

View Our Corporate Brochure

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and provide a drug-free working environment. While Ashley appreciates the interest of all candidates only those meeting specific position requirements may be contacted. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. The company reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Notice to Search Firms: We are not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms. We will not pay any placement, referral or other fees to any search firms unless we have agreed otherwise in a valid, written agreement for the specific position posted and signed by an authorized representative of Ashley Furniture Industries.

* Please note this position is not eligible for current or future employment sponsorship. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or at any time in the future.