Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs in Lancaster, SC

Operations Manager

Location: Monroe, NC
Reports To: Director of Manufacturing

Position Summary

The Operations Manager is responsible for the overall leadership and performance of a manufacturing facility, including production, service parts, inventory management, and operational support functions. This role ensures safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations while delivering high-quality products on time to customers. The Operations Manager drives continuous improvement, develops employees, manages resources, and partners with cross-functional teams to support business growth and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for all manufacturing operations, ensuring the facility consistently meets safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and financial performance objectives.
• Develop and execute operational strategies that align with company goals while creating a clear vision and sense of direction for the plant leadership team and workforce.
• Plan, organize, and optimize daily operations to ensure efficient production flow, adequate capacity, and the ability to meet customer demand in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Champion a culture of safety by ensuring compliance with all safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements while promoting employee engagement in safety initiatives.
• Drive operational excellence through Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives that increase efficiency, reduce waste, improve quality, and lower operating costs.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to safety, quality, productivity, inventory, on-time delivery, and cost performance, taking corrective action as needed to achieve targets.
• Lead efforts to improve manufacturing processes, equipment utilization, workflow, and plant layout to maximize productivity and support long-term growth.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, quality, supply chain, customer service, and sales teams to support new product introductions, process improvements, and customer requirements.
• Oversee inventory management, production planning, material flow, and logistics activities to ensure product availability while maintaining inventory levels that support financial objectives.
• Foster a high-performance culture through effective hiring, onboarding, coaching, mentoring, performance management, and succession planning.
• Build employee engagement by creating an environment of accountability, teamwork, communication, and continuous learning throughout the organization.
• Lead root cause analysis and problem-solving activities to address operational, quality, equipment, and customer-related issues, ensuring sustainable corrective actions are implemented.
• Ensure equipment, facilities, and resources are properly maintained and utilized to support operational reliability and production goals.
• Manage plant budgets and resources responsibly, identifying opportunities for cost reduction and operational efficiencies without compromising safety, quality, or customer satisfaction.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, customers, community partners, and internal stakeholders to support overall business success.
• Communicate effectively across all levels of the organization, from production employees to senior leadership, providing regular updates on plant performance, initiatives, and priorities.
• Lead organizational change initiatives and promote a culture that embraces innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Travel as required to support business objectives, customer needs, leadership meetings, and collaboration with other facilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Business, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of manufacturing experience and at least 5 years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, production planning, inventory control, and operational management.
• Experience leading Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication, team-building, coaching, and leadership abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP systems.
• Dependable, self-motivated, and results-oriented.

Work Environment

Work is performed in both office and manufacturing settings, with regular exposure to production equipment, moving machinery, and moderate to high noise levels.

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As an employer, we value results - not titles, or backgrounds. We empower our people to build their career around their aspirations and our ambitions - supporting them with regular feedback, training, and development opportunities. Our colleagues think broadly about where they can make the most impact, and we encourage them to grow their role locally, regionally, or even internationally.

As we welcome new people on board, it's important to us to have diverse, inclusive teams, and we value different perspectives and experiences.