Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs in Whitewater, WI

Lead Operations. Build Strong Teams. Drive Continuous Improvement.

AMTRACO is seeking an experienced, hands-on Operations Manager to lead and strengthen operations across our manufacturing facilities. This position is responsible for ensuring our plants operate safely, efficiently, profitably, and with a relentless focus on quality and customer satisfaction.

The ideal candidate is a proactive leader who can balance day-to-day execution with long-term operational improvement. You will collaborate with plant leadership, engineering, quality, supply chain, purchasing, sales, and senior leadership to align resources, meet customer commitments, develop employees, and support the continued growth of the organization.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Manufacturing Operations and Financial Performance

• Oversee day-to-day plant operations, ensuring each facility meets annual revenue and expense budgets.
• Monitor project backlogs and production schedules to ensure customer delivery commitments are met.
• Manage production and maintenance budgets while identifying opportunities to control costs and improve resource utilization.
• Optimize staffing, equipment, raw materials, and other operational resources across manufacturing locations.
• Oversee preventive maintenance programs to improve equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime.

Production Planning and Resource Management

• Balance customer demand with plant capacity, staffing, materials, and equipment availability.
• Coordinate with supply chain and purchasing teams to manage material procurement, optimize logistics, and ensure timely delivery of supplies.
• Keep projects on schedule and proactively address risks that could affect customer delivery dates.
• Partner with plant supervisors to coordinate equipment maintenance and minimize production disruptions.
• Oversee plant-level inventory, bills of materials, routings, and maintenance, repair, and operations supplies.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality assurance, Territory Managers, Field Service Specialists, Inside Sales, and other departments to align production activities with company objectives.

Continuous Improvement, Quality, and Team Development

• Create and maintain a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Help each plant improve on-time delivery, product quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Analyze production metrics and workflows to identify bottlenecks and implement effective corrective actions.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using methodologies such as 5S, Lean manufacturing, and Six Sigma.
• Identify employee skill gaps and develop new and existing team members through proficiency scorecards, training, coaching, and performance management.
• Partner with the quality team to improve the RMA process and ensure accurate resolution of product concerns.
• Implement and enforce quality-control standards so finished products consistently meet specifications and customer requirements.

Acquisitions and Plant Expansion

• Support the successful integration of acquisitions and the build-out of new or expanded manufacturing facilities.
• Partner with the Vice President of Operations to identify facilities that support the company’s strategic growth plan.
• Determine equipment, utility, and infrastructure requirements for new or expanded locations.
• Coordinate with vendors on equipment relocation, installation, and power requirements.
• Work with plant teams to develop layouts that optimize safety, production flow, and efficiency.
• Proactively communicate staffing, equipment, material, and resource needs to senior leadership.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Compliance

• Ensure facilities and manufacturing processes comply with applicable health, safety, environmental, and industry-specific requirements, including OSHA standards.
• Develop, communicate, and enforce safety policies while fostering a strong, prevention-focused safety culture.
• Maintain accurate, current environmental and safety documentation for every manufacturing location in a shared, accessible system.
• Ensure manufacturing locations maintain active permits and remain within all applicable compliance requirements.
• Lead 5S standards across the manufacturing facilities to promote safe, clean, organized, and efficient workplaces.
• Oversee accident, injury, and near-miss reporting, investigations, corrective actions, and required workplace safety training.
• Promote consistent accountability for maintaining safe, clean, and compliant manufacturing environments.

What Success Looks Like

In this role, success means:

• Plants consistently meet financial, production, and customer-delivery expectations.
• Operational risks and production bottlenecks are identified and addressed before they affect customers.
• Equipment downtime, waste, and unnecessary costs are reduced.
• Employees understand expectations and receive the training and coaching needed to succeed.
• Quality, safety, organization, and continuous improvement are visible throughout every facility.
• Plant expansions and integrations are completed with strong planning, communication, and operational execution.

The Leader We’re Looking For

You may be a strong fit if you:

• Take ownership of results and follow through on commitments.
• Are comfortable leading operations across multiple manufacturing facilities.
• Make sound, timely decisions using production data and business priorities.
• Communicate proactively with employees, cross-functional partners, and senior leadership.
• Can manage competing priorities in a fast-moving manufacturing environment.
• Build accountable teams while providing clear expectations, coaching, and development.
• Approach problems with urgency, discipline, and a focus on practical solutions.
• Understand that safety, quality, delivery, and profitability must work together.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field required.
• MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
• Six Sigma certification is a plus.
• Minimum of five years of relevant operations or production management experience, ideally within a manufacturing environment.
• Preferred: Experience in chemical manufacturing, adhesive products, coating lines, or converting operations.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to regularly access and navigate manufacturing and production areas.
• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds as needed.

Benefits & Rewards

AMTRACO invests in the people who help our organization grow. Our benefits and rewards include:

• Performance-based increases at the 90-day, six-month, and 12-month milestones
• Tenure-based rewards focused on wellness and experiences
• Six Paid Time Off days annually, with vacation time increasing based on tenure
• Paid service days for volunteering
• Comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance
• Health Savings Account with company contributions
• $25,000 company-paid life insurance policy
• Voluntary insurance options, including Short- and Long-Term Disability, Accident, Hospital Indemnity, Additional Life, and AD&D
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) with a generous company match
• Continuing education programs that support career development
• Build-out bonus eligibility
• And more!

Get a Jump Start on Your Application

Want to move your application to the top of the list?

Complete our required Culture Index Survey before submitting your application:

https://go.cultureindex.com/s/31B2FF0000

The survey helps us better understand how you naturally approach your work. There are no right or wrong answers—simply respond honestly based on how you naturally operate. Completing this step early allows our team to review your application more quickly.

About AMTRACO

AMTRACO is a global holding company headquartered in Franksville, Wisconsin. We provide shared Human Resources, Information Technology, and Finance services to our family of operating companies, allowing each business to focus on delivering exceptional products, services, and customer experiences.

AMTRACO owns and supports four distinct operating units:

• EPSI — A global distribution company serving the surface-finishing industry, with a presence in all major global markets.
• STM — A manufacturer of pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes.
• FAST — A distributor of tapes and related products serving the framing, architectural, sign, and trophy markets.
• SBM — A commercial real estate company that acquires, develops, and leases commercial properties.

Together, our companies serve diverse industries and markets while sharing a commitment to operational excellence, continuous improvement, customer service, and long-term growth.

AMTRACO is an equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees have the opportunity to contribute, grow, and succeed.

EPSI is a leading manufacturer of engineered custom-molded rubber and plastic products for the surface finishing industry.