Manufacturing Operations Manager

Manufacturing Operations ManagerGreat Southern Wood – LA, Inc., the makers of YellaWood® pressure-treated lumber, is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead the manufacturing division at one of our production facilities. This role owns the full operational rhythm of the plant — from safety and staffing to scheduling and output — and reports directly to the General Manager.Key ResponsibilitiesOperations LeadershipDirect day-to-day manufacturing operations across all shifts, ensuring alignment with corporate production and quality standardsServe as the primary point of accountability for plant performance, coordinating across departments (sales, production, maintenance, quality, and shipping)SafetyOwn plant safety programs, ensuring compliance with OSHA and company safety standardsLead safety training, audits, and incident investigations; drive a culture of proactive hazard identification and continuous safety improvementEmployee Training & DevelopmentDesign and oversee onboarding and ongoing training programs for production staffBuild cross-training plans to increase workforce flexibility and reduce single points of failureEvaluate performance and support employee development and retentionEfficiency & Continuous ImprovementMonitor key operational metrics (throughput, downtime, waste, labor efficiency) and drive continuous improvement initiativesIdentify bottlenecks and implement process changes to improve line efficiency and reduce cost per unitProduction SchedulingOwn both reactive and proactive scheduling functions:Reactive scheduling: Adjust daily/weekly production plans in response to equipment downtime, material shortages, labor availability, or urgent order changesProactive scheduling: Build forward-looking production schedules based on sales forecasts, seasonal demand trends, and inventory targets to minimize disruption and maximize plant utilizationCoordinate with sales, procurement, and logistics teams to align production output with customer demand and raw material (lumber) availabilityInventory Accuracy & ManagementMaintain accurate real-time inventory counts of raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goodsImplement and enforce cycle counting procedures to identify and correct discrepancies between system and physical inventoryPartner with warehouse and logistics teams to ensure accurate receiving, put-away, and shipping transactions are reflected in inventory systemsUse inventory data integrity as a direct input into production scheduling decisions — ensuring forecasts and schedules are built on reliable stock levels rather than assumptionsInvestigate and resolve root causes of inventory variances (shrinkage, miscounts, system errors) to prevent recurring issuesSupport month-end/quarter-end inventory reconciliation and auditsQualifications5+ years of manufacturing operations/plant management experience; wood products, lumber, or industrial manufacturing background preferredDemonstrated experience with production scheduling and forecasting toolsExperience with inventory management systems (ERP/WMS) and cycle counting processesStrong knowledge of OSHA safety regulations and manufacturing complianceProven leadership managing multi-shift hourly workforcesExcellent problem-solving skills with the ability to balance long-term planning with real-time operational decision-makingWhat We Offer:COMPETITIVE PAY AND A FULL BENEFITS PACKAGE INCLUDING:Medical, dental, and vision insurancePaid vacation and holidays401(k) with company matchFlexible spending accountsDependent scholarship programAbout Great Southern Wood Preserving:Great Southern Wood Preserving, Inc. is the industry's leading producer of pressure-treated lumber products for D-I-Y retail home centers, pro dealers, and other retail building-related segments. Our YellaWood brand pressure-treated pine is widely known to consumers throughout the South who use it for various outdoor building projects. Great Southern also distributes a large volume of products from many of the best-known brands in the industry. Thanks to 15 full-service treating plants and several production facilities, Great Southern Wood is strategically located to provide prompt and efficient service to lumber yards and building supply stores throughout the South, Midwest, and Northeast.