Operations Manager

Description

$1,000 Sign-on Bonus

Scope:

As a Operations Manager at Superior Tire & Rubber Corp., you will be responsible for overseeing daily operations within assigned manufacturing areas to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production. This role requires strong leadership, planning, and problem-solving skills to coordinate workflow, optimize resources, and meet production targets. The Manufacturing Manager will work closely with supervisors, team leaders, and cross-functional departments including Scheduling, Engineering, Quality Control, Maintenance, Human Resources, and Environmental, Health, and Safety. This position reports directly to the Executive Vice President of Operations.


Essential Job Functions:

Planning/Coordinating Product

• Develop and manage daily and weekly production schedules in coordination with Scheduling and other department leaders.
• Allocate resources, equipment, and personnel to meet production requirements while maintaining efficiency and quality.
• Monitor workflow and proactively address production bottlenecks or delays.
• Communicate production goals and updates to supervisors and team leaders.

Safety and Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with all company safety policies, OSHA standards, and environmental regulations.
• Partner with the EHS Department to identify and address hazards, implement corrective actions, and promote safe work practices.
• Oversee proper use of PPE and adherence to established safety protocols.
• Conduct regular audits of work areas to confirm compliance with safety, housekeeping, and 5S standards.

Team Collaboration

• Work closely with team members, supervision, and other cross-functional teams to achieve production goals. Communicate effectively with management and supervisors' plant wide regarding job status and any issues.
• Work closely with management, safety, maintenance, scheduling, engineering, and quality control on maintaining and progressing manufacturing processes.
• Provide an environment where communication is effective.

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Oversee adherence to quality standards and specifications across all production areas.
• Collaborate with Quality Control and Engineering on audits, testing, and process validation.
• Ensure Standard Work Instructions (SWIs) are accurate, up to date, and followed by all team members.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in productivity, quality, and safety using lean manufacturing and 5S practices.
• Follow the 5S principles: Sort, Set, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain.

Equipment & Maintenance

• Ensure preventive maintenance (PM) schedules are followed in collaboration with Maintenance.
• Monitor equipment performance and ensure timely completion of repairs.
• Coordinate with Maintenance and Purchasing for required parts, consumables, and tooling.
• Maintain systems for tracking equipment usage, downtime, and repairs.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and mentor supervisors, team leaders, and employees to achieve production goals.
• Promote effective communication between shifts, departments, and leadership.
• Ensure training programs are implemented and that training records are accurate and up to date.
• Manage workforce planning including scheduling, labor allocation, vacation approvals, and timekeeping.
• Address personnel issues in consultation with HR, ensuring fair and consistent application of policies.

Working Responsibilities:

• Provide overall leadership and direction for supervisors and team leaders across assigned manufacturing areas.
• Translate company goals (safety, quality, delivery, cost) into clear production priorities for supervisors to execute.
• Review production schedules, capacity, and staffing levels daily; make adjustments to align resources with plant needs.
• Ensure supervisors are monitoring equipment, enforcing PM completion, and escalating issues appropriately to Maintenance.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, and EHS to ensure production processes, SWIs, and standards are up to date and consistently applied.
• Track and report key performance indicators (KPI) such as scrap, downtime, labor utilization, and on-time delivery to plant leadership.
• Approve significant overtime, vacation scheduling, and workforce adjustments proposed by supervisors.
• Provide coaching and development for supervisors and team leads to strengthen leadership capability within the department.
• Review quality concerns and customer complaints with Quality Control and determine corrective actions at the department level.
• Oversee compliance with safety programs, ensuring supervisors are enforcing training, inspections, and safe practices.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, working cross-functionally to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize workflows.
• Partner with HR on performance management, staffing plans, employee relations, and workforce development.
• Support capital project planning (equipment purchases, tooling, layout changes) and provide recommendations to senior leadership.
• Ensure effective communication between shifts, departments, and management through meetings, reports, and performance updates.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full Time Non-Exempt
• Monday through Friday
• Weekends as needed.
• Required to work onsite 100% of the time.

Travel:

• On-site Only

Work Environment:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Percentage of Manufacturing and Distribution - 100%

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands for this role are representative of those required to successfully perform its essential functions. As a Manufacturing Manager, you will need to stand for extended periods, occasionally lift weights ranging from 50 to 100 pounds, and work in hot temperature environments. Additionally, strong vision and hearing capabilities are essential for effectively carrying out your responsibilities.

Education:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor's degree in manufacturing, Industrial Technology, Engineering, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Additional certifications in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or leadership development are strongly preferred.
• Supervisory or leadership training is preferred.

Preferred Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment, including at least 2-3 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Demonstrated success in leading teams, improving processes, and achieving production goals.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, scheduling, and workflow management.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams (Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Scheduling, HR, EHS).
• Familiarity with quality systems, audits, and regulatory compliance.
• Proven track record of driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience with budgeting, labor planning, and resource allocation preferred.

Competencies/Skills:

• Able to read/write proficiently.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Basic math skills and ability to use measuring tools.
• Physical ability to lift and move materials as needed.

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.


At Superior Tire and Rubber Corporation, we are an equal opportunity employer. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected class. Our company makes all employment and advancement decisions based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.