Operations Manager

Job Description

Job Description

THIS JOB IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RELOCATION - ONLY LOCAL CANDIDATES IN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OR THOSE RELOCATING ON THEIR OWN NEED APPLY. AT THIS TIME, WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING APPLICANTS OR REFERRALS FROM THIRD PARTY RECRUITING AGENGENCIES OR STAFFING FIRMS.

Job Title: Operations Manager                                              Classification: Exempt

Location: Varies                                                                      Position Type: Full Time

Department: Operations                                                        Pay Grade: TBD

Reports To: Plant Manager/COO                                            Effective Date: 07/06/2026

Summary and Objective

The Operations Manager is responsible for the overall leadership and daily operation of a pallet manufacturing facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution across all operational functions. This position oversees production, maintenance, quality, shipping, inventory, housekeeping, and workforce performance while driving a culture of safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. The Operations Manager partners with corporate leadership to achieve operational objectives, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure the facility consistently meets customer expectations through disciplined execution and strong leadership.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.     Lead the day-to-day operations of the facility, including production, maintenance, quality, shipping, inventory, and overall plant performance.

2.     Provide leadership, coaching, and accountability to Production Managers, Supervisors, and other operational personnel to achieve safety, quality, productivity, and employee engagement objectives.

3.     Promote and maintain a world-class safety culture by ensuring compliance with all company safety policies, OSHA regulations, and safe work practices while actively identifying and mitigating workplace hazards.

4.     Establish and maintain high standards of housekeeping, organization, and 5S throughout the facility to promote safety, efficiency, and operational excellence.

5.     Ensure production schedules, customer requirements, quality standards, and on-time delivery objectives are consistently achieved.

6.     Monitor, analyze, and improve key performance indicators (KPIs), including throughput, labor productivity, scrap, downtime, safety performance, quality, inventory accuracy, and on-time delivery.

7.     Identify opportunities to reduce operating costs, eliminate waste, improve labor utilization, and increase manufacturing efficiencies through continuous improvement initiatives.

8.     Partner with maintenance to maximize equipment reliability, improve preventive maintenance practices, and minimize unplanned downtime.

9.     Manage staffing levels, workforce planning, scheduling, and labor utilization to ensure efficient operations while controlling labor costs.

10.  Ensure inventory accuracy and effective management of raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods while minimizing material loss and waste.

11.  Recruit, develop, coach, and evaluate managers, supervisors, and employees while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous learning.

12.  Ensure accurate and timely reporting of production, labor, safety, quality, inventory, and operational metrics to support informed business decisions.

13.  Collaborate with corporate leadership on operational planning, capital improvement initiatives, cost reduction strategies, and the implementation of company objectives.

14.  Maintain compliance with all company policies, regulatory requirements, environmental standards, and operational procedures while ensuring the facility is clean, organized, and audit ready.

15.  Serve as the primary operational leader for the facility by communicating performance results, operational challenges, improvement opportunities, and resource needs to company leadership.

Minimum Required Qualifications

§  High school diploma or GED required

§  Five (5) or more years of progressive manufacturing or in production operations

§  Three (3) or more years of leadership experience managing supervisors, managers, or multiple operational departments

§  Demonstrated success leading manufacturing operations with accountability for safety, quality, productivity, and workforce performance

§  Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, equipment, production planning, labor management, inventory control, and operational reporting

§  Proven ability to analyze operational data, identify improvement opportunities, and implement process improvements that improve efficiency and reduce costs

§  Effective leadership, communication, coaching, problem-solving, and decision-making

§  Proficiency with Microsoft Office and manufacturing or production reporting systems

§  Ability to work flexible hours as needed to support plant operations

Desired Qualifications

§  Associate or bachelor’s degree in business, Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.

§  Experience in pallet manufacturing, wood products, lumber, or other high-volume industrial manufacturing environments.

§  Experience leading multiple operational departments within a manufacturing facility.

§  Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 5S, Kaizen, or other continuous improvement methodologies.

§  Experience developing and managing key performance indicators (KPIs) to improve operational performance.

§  Strong understanding of OSHA regulations, workplace safety programs, and manufacturing best practices.

§  Experience with ERP, manufacturing execution systems (MES), inventory management systems, or production scheduling software.

§  Demonstrated success leading cost reduction, waste elimination, and operational efficiency initiatives.

Core Competencies:

1. Humility (lacks ego, team agenda, transparent, trainable, servant orientation)

2. Hungry (extra mile, internally driven, self-starter, excellence, passionate, change agent)

3. People Smart (interpersonal, group dynamics, influential, self-aware, motivating)

4. Competent (knows and can accomplish the task at hand – job, challenges, requirements)

5. Integrity (honest, reliable, transparent, strong character, loyal, righteous)

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has direct supervisory responsibilities. In addition, it requires strong influential capabilities while working with company personnel at multiple levels, customers, and outside vendors.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, bend, reach, climb stairs, and move throughout the manufacturing facility. The employee will routinely inspect production areas, equipment, and work processes and may occasionally lift and carry items weighing up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Work Environment

This position is performed primarily in a manufacturing environment where the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical equipment, powered industrial vehicles, wood dust, varying temperatures, vibration, and elevated noise levels requiring the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). The Operations Manager is expected to maintain a visible presence on the production floor, actively supporting safe work practices, operational discipline, and continuous improvement while also performing administrative responsibilities in an office setting. Occasional travel to other company locations may be required to support operational initiatives, training, or business meetings.

Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position that typically goes beyond a standard 40-hour workweek. That said, days and hours of work are normally Monday through Friday, with an 8-to-12-hour work period per day. Exact time of day depends on the work demands. Some overtime, night, and/or weekend work may be required. Position requires access availability 24/7.

Travel:

This position may require up to 10% travel.

AAP/EEO Statement:

All recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, and other employment related decisions are provided fairly to all persons on an equal opportunity basis without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Tree Brand Packaging has been a leading manufacturer of custom wood pallets, crates, and packaging products for over 30 years. With eight locations across the Southeast (NC, SC, AL, TN, LA, TX), we serve a wide range of industries, including steel, automotive, telecommunications, material handling, military, aerospace, and import/export. Our innovative design solutions and commitment to exceptional customer service help meet the unique needs of our clients. We aim to build a great team, valued partnerships, address supply-chain challenges, and support customers in reducing costs and improving profitability.

Company Description

Tree Brand Packaging has been a leading manufacturer of custom wood pallets, crates, and packaging products for over 30 years. With eight locations across the Southeast (NC, SC, AL, TN, LA, TX), we serve a wide range of industries, including steel, automotive, telecommunications, material handling, military, aerospace, and import/export. Our innovative design solutions and commitment to exceptional customer service help meet the unique needs of our clients. We aim to build a great team, valued partnerships, address supply-chain challenges, and support customers in reducing costs and improving profitability.