Operations Manager (Libertyville, IL) Job

Primary location: Libertyville, Illinois
Relocation offered: No
Employment status: Full-Time
Travel: <10%
Non-compete: No


The estimated base salary range for this role $140,000 to $170,000 per year, plus an annual incentive
Individual pay is based upon location, skills and expertise, experience and other relevant factors

What does it mean to work at MRK Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries?

It means being immersed in a supportive culture that recognizes you as a key player in Armstrong's future. We are a large company with a local feel, where you will get to know and collaborate with leadership and your colleagues across the company.

By joining us, you'll have the opportunity to make the most of your potential. Alongside a competitive remuneration package, you will receive:

• A benefits package including: medical, dental, prescription drug, life insurance, 401k match, long-term disability coverage, vacation and sick time, and many more.
• Personal development to grow your career with us based on your strengths and interests.
• A working culture that balances individual achievement with teamwork and collaboration. We draw on each other's strengths and allow for different work styles to build engagement and satisfaction to deliver results.

Reporting to the Director, AS Manufacturing Operations, the Operations Manager leads a 45,000-square-foot manufacturing facility with approximately 75 employees, with full accountability for safety, performance, and profitability. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence across safety, quality, delivery, and cost, while leading a high-performing team and advancing a culture of continuous improvement. The Operations Manager partners cross-functionally to align plant operations with broader business objectives and ensure consistent delivery of high-quality products that meet customer expectations.

What's in It for You

• Full ownership of a manufacturing operation with end-to-end accountability for performance
• Opportunity to lead a sizable team and shape plant culture, engagement, and capability
• Direct impact on safety, quality, customer experience, and cost performance
• Ability to drive Lean transformation and continuous improvement initiatives
• High visibility role partnering with cross-functional leaders across operations, HR, and finance

What You'll Do

• Lead day-to-day operations of the facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and profitable performance
• Drive a safety-first culture focused on risk identification, mitigation, and zero injuries
• Lead Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to improve performance across safety, quality, delivery, and cost
• Own operational performance against plant goals, budgets, forecasts, and capacity plans
• Oversee production planning and execution to meet customer expectations and lead times
• Partner with commercial and service teams to enhance customer experience and incorporate voice of the customer
• Develop, coach, and lead a team of supervisors and functional leaders across manufacturing, engineering, and purchasing
• Build a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, and leadership to support talent strategy, workforce planning, and business objectives

What Will Make You Successful

• Strong safety leadership with the ability to build a proactive, risk-aware culture
• Proven ability to lead plant operations and drive P&L performance
• Deep experience with Lean manufacturing, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologies
• Ability to lead and develop cross-functional teams and build leadership bench strength
• Strong business acumen with the ability to translate strategy into operational results
• Effective communicator who can align teams and influence across the organization

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related
• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing experience, including leadership of plant or operations teams
• Demonstrated success driving P&L performance, productivity, and cost control
• Experience implementing Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
• Proven track record of leading and developing teams in a manufacturing environment
• Strong safety leadership experience

What Makes You Stand Out

• Experience in metals, fabrication, or engineered products manufacturing
• Lean and/or Six Sigma certification
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) capability
• Strong cross-functional leadership and ability to influence across the organization

Why should you join MRK Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries?

Why should you join Armstrong World Industries?

Armstrong World Industries (AWI) is an Americas leader in the design and manufacture of innovative interior and exterior architectural applications including ceilings, specialty walls and exterior metal solutions. With approximately $1.4 billion in revenue, AWI has about 3,700 employees and a manufacturing network of 21 facilities in North America.

At home, at work, in healthcare facilities, classrooms, stores, or restaurants, we offer interior solutions that help to enhance comfort, save time, improve building efficiency and overall performance, and create beautiful spaces.

For more than 160 years, we have built our business on trust and integrity. It set us apart then, and it sets us apart now, along with our ability to collaborate with and innovate for the people we're here to serve - our customers, our shareholders, our communities and our employees.

We are committed to developing new and sustainable architectural solutions, with design and performance possibilities that make a positive difference in spaces where we live, work, learn, heal and play. It's an exciting, rewarding business to be in, and we're committed to continue to grow and prosper for the benefit of all of our stakeholders. We hope you join us.

Our Sustainability Ambition

"Bringing our Purpose to Life" - lead a transformation in the design and building of spaces fit for today and tomorrow.

We are committed to:

Engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce;
Transforming buildings from structures that shelter into structures that serve and preserve the health and well-being of people and planet;
Pursuing sustainable, innovative solutions for spaces where we live, work, learn heal and play;
Being a catalyst for change with all of our stakeholders; and
Making a positive difference in the environments and communities we impact.

About the location (Libertyville IL)

MRK Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (AWI), is one of twelve AWI plants in North America. Our Libertyville plant in northern Illinois is located 1 hour northwest of Chicago, and 1 hour south of Milwaukee, WI. It is also a short, 7 mile drive to beautiful Lake Michigan. Visit Libertyville's historic downtown shopping and dining district, with nearly 100 restaurants, cafes and pubs. Stop by the Dunn Museum. Take your friends and family to the Libertyville Sports Complex. Check out their calendar of events for festivals, wine tastings, community bike rides, classic car shows and other activities that are hosted year-round. Libertyville provides a hometown feel, while being close to the 3rd and 31st largest cities in the US!

MRK Industries, Inc., a subsidiary of Armstrong World Industries, is committed to engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce. As part of our dedication to diversity, AWI is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard for race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at by email at AWI talent acquisition and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

Come and build your future with us and apply today!