Manufacturing Operations Manager (Grand Rapids)

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Promote a strong safety culture focused on employee awareness, training, risk reduction, and hazard prevention.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using data and performance metrics to improve product quality, production throughput, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Plan and lead Kaizen events and other process improvement activities to eliminate waste and optimize operations.
• Identify opportunities to reduce manufacturing costs through improvements in labor utilization, production processes, and material efficiency.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure operational targets are consistently achieved or exceeded.
• Lead, develop, and mentor team members to strengthen their capabilities, increase accountability, and prepare them for additional responsibilities.
• Standardize manufacturing processes and work practices across shifts to ensure consistent quality and productivity.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Production Planning, Customer Service, Warehouse, Maintenance, and other departments to optimize production flow, resource utilization, and on-time delivery.
• Ensure employees receive appropriate training and consistently follow established standard operating procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support business objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.
• Demonstrated commitment to leadership, employee development, and continuous improvement.
• Proven experience leading Kaizen events and implementing process improvement initiatives.
• Progressive experience in manufacturing leadership or management roles.
• Experience identifying root causes and resolving operational problems in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data and performance metrics to guide decisions and recommend solutions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees at all organizational levels, as well as customers, suppliers, and business partners.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience working in a high-volume manufacturing environment or within a manufacturing supply chain.
• Background supporting major manufacturers or serving customers with demanding quality and delivery requirements.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to product quality.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.