Regional Operations Manager

Job Overview The Regional Operations Manager – East Central is actively engaged in strategic leadership and operational oversight across multiple manufacturing plants or a major geographic region. This role provides hands‑on leadership ensuring excellence in safety, quality, productivity and customer satisfaction while fostering a strong organizational culture and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Location Northwood, OH (preferred) or South Bend, IN. Travel is up to 60% (mostly land). Key Responsibilities Oversee end‑to‑end operations across multiple facilities with a strong emphasis on safety and cultural development. Promote a culture of hands‑on leadership by ensuring plant‑level leaders are actively engaged on the floor. Ensure achievement of tactical and strategic KPIs. Ownership of lean manufacturing practices and culture of continuous improvement. Lead safety programs and ensure compliance with OSHA, EEOC, WIHA, and environmental regulations. Direct accountability for the operational P&L and sustainable growth within area of responsibility. Promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture that supports employee engagement and development. Develop and mentor plant‑level leadership and operations teams. Collaborate with cross‑functional departments including Sales, R&D, HR, and Supply Chain. Align production capabilities with current and future sales forecasts. Optimize resource allocation and capacity planning (equipment, personnel, materials). Drive cost‑saving initiatives through process optimization and training. Maintain equipment and develop contingency plans for downtime and staffing fluctuations. Serve as the operations lead in solution selling activities. Represent operations in customer meetings and strategic projects. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Safety: OSHA incident rate, near‑miss reporting, and compliance audit scores. Quality: First‑pass yield, customer complaints, and return rates. Productivity: Units produced per labor hour, on‑time delivery rate (OTIF), and equipment utilization. Operational Efficiency: Staff utilization, downtime reduction, and lean project implementation success rate. Customer Satisfaction: Net Promoter Score (NPS), on‑time delivery, and service responsiveness. Employee Engagement: Pulse survey scores, absenteeism rate, and internal promotion rate. Financial: EBIT performance, cost of goods sold (COGS), and reduction in rework and scrap. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, or Behavioral Science. 5‑10 years of leadership experience in operations or plant management. Proven track record in lean culture development and tool implementation. Strong decision‑making, risk assessment, and prioritization skills. High level of organizational and communication skills. Experience in mentoring and coaching teams. Understanding of warehouse and manufacturing processes (metal fabrication preferred). Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools. Ability to lead change and deliver measurable results. Compensation 120 K – 138 K + annual bonus incentive. Benefits Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance Life Insurance and Disability Voluntary Wellness Programs 401(k) or RRSP programs with company match Paid vacation and holidays Tuition reimbursement And more! #J-18808-Ljbffr