Plant Operations Manager

Bradley Professional is seeking an experienced Plant Operations Manager for a manufacturing client in the Triad.

This hands-on leadership role will oversee daily manufacturing operations, drive operational efficiency, and ensure production goals are met while maintaining high standards for safety, quality, and performance.

The ideal candidate is a proven manufacturing leader with a strong background in Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and team development. This individual must be comfortable working on the production floor, leading a large workforce, and implementing processes that improve productivity and profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily plant operations, ensuring production schedules, quality standards, and cost objectives are achieved.
• Lead and develop a workforce of approximately 120–150 employees, including managers, supervisors, and team leaders.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency and eliminate waste.
• Establish standardized processes and procedures to improve production flow, reduce overtime, and minimize rework.
• Monitor production KPIs, labor efficiency, throughput, and overall operational performance.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, and other departments to identify and resolve production challenges.
• Utilize ERP systems to improve production planning, reporting, and accountability.
• Develop and mentor leadership teams while promoting a culture of safety, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Lead initiatives to improve production capacity, workforce engagement, and overall plant performance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of manufacturing operations leadership experience, preferably in automotive, commercial vehicles, truck bodies, or a related manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience managing a large hourly workforce of 120–150 employees.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, process improvement, and production optimization.
• Demonstrated success improving productivity, quality, labor efficiency, and operational performance.
• Experience implementing standardized processes and driving organizational change.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and Microsoft Office.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and team development skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, hands-on manufacturing environment.

Ideal Candidate

A results-driven manufacturing leader who can balance strategic planning with daily plant operations. This individual must be passionate about developing people, improving processes, building accountability, and creating a safe, efficient, and high-performing manufacturing environment.