Problem Manager Jobs in Kalamazoo, MI (NOW HIRING)

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:  Manager, Operations (Manufacturing)                      FLSA STATUS:  Exempt

SUMMARY

Directs, administers, and coordinates all the activities of the plant operations to achieve safety, quality, cost and delivery objectives.  Manages the plant staff, including department managers responsible for Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Materials, Maintenance, and the plant Lean Manufacturing Engineer.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

1. Meet manufacturing operation objectives, including key metrics related to:

• Safety
• Quality
• Cost
• Delivery
• Financial performance

1. Ensure plant has a safe working environment through:

• Safe work practices
• Employee awareness
• Proper 5S and housekeeping
• Layered safety audits and closure of safety related issues

• Effective Emergency Plan.
• Cooperates with the GM on Projects and plans plant resources including:

• Personnel / staffing
• Capital equipment
• Facilities
• New program requirements

• Cooperates with the GM for capacity planning activities, including:

• Assessment and update of plant Sales Forecast
• Population of corporate molding, painting, and assembly capacity tools.

• Ensures plant manufacturing operations closely adhere to Summit Lean Manufacturing System (SLMS) practices.  Key SLMS elements include:

• Root Cause Problem Solving (PPS)
• Kaizen
• Standardized Work, Continuous Flow, & Pull Systems
• Jidoka

• Ensure successful new product launch:

• Engage closely in the product development process
• Ensure plant prepares for successful launch of new products, following Knowledge Based Product Development (KBPD) and customer specific requirements. 
• Ensure plant team engages in team-work with corporate engineering, sales, and materials functions throughout the entire development and launch cycle of new products.

• Promotes the utilization of root cause problem solving using Practical Problem Solving (PPS)
• Manages and provides leadership to plant staff managers
  • Conducts daily staff meetings
  • Clearly assigns responsibility for issues
  • Requires departmental action plans
  • Ensures Plan-Do-Check-Act methodology is utilized

• Cooperatres with the GM to ensure plant compliance to SPI systems and procedures supporting:
  • IATF 16949 Quality standard
  • ISO 14001 Environmental standard

• Ensures plant adopts and complies with corporate standardization initiatives
  • SLMS, Molding, Painting, Quality Systems, Maintenance Systems, Materials Systems, etc.
• Assists the GM in plant Talent Development initiative to train and develop high potential employees for growth within SPI

• As needed by the GM, understands and represents corporate management in matters of company philosophy, quality ethics, and personnel policies.
• Manages overall plant manufacturing/support personnel activities, including hiring, promotion, demotion, transfers, and disciplinary actions.
• Assists the GM in managing plant customer relationships, including ensuring appropriate SPI to customer contact relationships are maintained.
• Works with the GM to provide necessary resources to protect and maintain the facility at all times.
• Ensures plant compliance to all local, state and federal government regulations and reporting requirements.
• Works with Human Resources to assure a positive, constructive working environment built on honesty, fairness, integrity, and respect.  Provides a working atmosphere conducive to good industrial and community relations.
• Personally maintains plant floor focus, “go and see”, engage with all shifts
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 5 years experience at a technical or management level.. Knowledge of manufacturing processes and procedures, budgeting and costing, quality control procedures and human resource management techniques. 4 year degree or 7 years progressive experience in a manufacturing environment

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Possess ability to gather and synthesize information
• A minimum score of 50 on the Wonderlic Select Assessment (Traditional Score of 28 on the cognitive portion).

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

This position typically does require less than 5% travel.

DISCLAIMER

The information contained in this job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor are they intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job.  Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.