Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs in Tennessee

When Alfred Fain founded a small Rhode Island tire store in 1924, at the time no one could have predicted how Teknor Apex would become an international custom compounder sought out by companies around the world. After a nearly hundred-year journey that’s carried us through acquisitions and expansion, we now have nine U.S. locations, as well as operations in Belgium, Singapore, Germany, and China.

Throughout this global expansion Teknor has remained a privately held company, and today Fain’s grandson sits at the helm, maintaining the family’s tradition of fostering deep employee and customer relationships. These relationships are what allow us—together—to deliver customized compound solutions and help our customer’s create better products.

“Manufacturing is a team sport, and we work together to achieve our goals.”  ~Jon Fain

Join the team behind our custom compounds. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Manufacturing Operations Manager provides strategic and operational leadership across manufacturing operations, driving performance in safety, quality, cost, delivery & people for our Hose manufacturing business unit in our Brownsville, TN facility.  This role collaborates with multiple functional leaders, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and long-term operational strategy. The position serves as a key link between plant-level execution, senior manufacturing leadership and corporate functional areas.

Essential Functions (Essential functions can be specific, critical and important duties, responsibilities and authorities which have significant impact on successful job performance.  An essential function may not, necessarily, represent a significant percent of time spent.  The essential functions include compliance with all policies, procedures, and rules as established.  Job requirements are not limited to the essential functions discussed below.  Similar or related duties may be required.)

Key Responsibilities

• Promote safety awareness, monitor safety programs and trends and ensure adherence to safety and procedure
• Translate corporate manufacturing strategy into actionable plant-level initiatives
• Represent manufacturing at Business Unit meetings

• Develop and lead projects that support continuous improvement
• Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives across facility
• Own consolidated manufacturing performance metrics (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery & People)

• Analyze key performance indicators (KPIs): Utilize advanced data analytics and KPIs to monitor plant performance, lead corrective actions to address underperforming areas.
• Oversee operating budgets, capital planning, and cost control initiatives
• Ensure manufacturing capabilities meet or exceed all customer requirements for cost, quality, and responsiveness.

• Continuous Improvement Leadership: Champion Lean manufacturing initiatives (e.g., 6S, Kaizen, LSW, PDCAs, Gemba, VSM, SMED, Process Capability, etc.) to identify inefficiencies, reduce waste, streamline production and other related workflow process processes.
• Accountable/ Responsible for major process improvement, automation, and modernization initiatives
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as a key liaison between manufacturing, engineering, sales, supply chain, technical (R&D), and procurement to synchronize planning and resolve operational issues.
• Assist in developing short- and long-term strategies to improve productivity
• Work closely with production for daily and weekly scheduling to increase utilization and optimize plant performance.
• Promote team development by building a high-performance culture. Hire, coach, and mentor staff to build organizational capability, ensuring all employees understand and adhere to Lean processes and safety protocols and enhance employee engagement.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably Engineering.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in plant leadership, Plant Manager role preferred.
• VARIES BY PLANT: Vinyl, compounding, or extrusion experience preferred.
• Strong strategic thinking and business acumen
• Ability to lead change in complex manufacturing environments
• Executive-level communication and stakeholder management skills
• Must be able to evaluate complex situations, balancing production

efficiencies with available equipment and assets.

• Strong proficiency in Lean manufacturing tools and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience leading LEAN initiatives such as LSW, SMED, Kaizen, Rapid PDCA, VSM, Continuous Improvement, required
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable operational strategies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel, and knowledge in or ability to quickly learn other computer applications.
• Be knowledgeable of safety, quality, and productivity processes.
• Ability to create accountability and to lead by example.
• Strong team building, decision-making and people management skills.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs
• Must be able to talk, listen and speak clearly on telephone

Teknor Apex is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status under state or federal laws. Must be 18 years of age or older to work at Teknor Apex.