Operations Manager

The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing all production operations within Appvion's Building 17 facility. This role ensures that production goals are achieved safely, efficiently, and within budget while maintaining the highest quality standards. The manager leads and motivates a team, coordinates cross-departmentally to ensure smooth workflow, and drives continuous improvement initiatives to optimize operational performance.

Key Focus Areas
Core Operations Excellence (60%)

Champion Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) compliance, fostering a proactive culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across the site.

Own site performance and operational targets, delivering results across safety, quality, service, scrap, housekeeping, and manufacturing expenses.

Drive operational efficiency and cost improvements through disciplined execution, resource optimization, and effective budget management.

Manage production performance, monitoring key metrics and KPIs, addressing gaps through coaching, process adjustments, and team engagement.

Ensure production schedules are consistently met, optimizing workforce, equipment, and material utilization to minimize downtime and maximize throughput.

Collaborate across departments, including supply chain, planning, maintenance, quality, and engineering, to ensure smooth and efficient operations.

Implement continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to streamline processes, reduce waste, and enhance operational effectiveness.

Promote sustainability and operational responsibility, reducing environmental impact, conserving resources, and supporting long-term business objectives.

Lead and develop the site team, cultivating skills, accountability, and ownership to strengthen operational performance and succession readiness

Continuous Improvement & Operational Initiatives (20%)

Lead and support continuous improvement (CI) initiatives across the site, identifying opportunities to optimize processes, reduce waste, and increase efficiency.

Collaborate with team members to implement improvements and monitor results, ensuring sustainability and measurable impact.

Promote a culture of operational excellence and accountability through regular coaching, feedback, and performance tracking.

Organizational Development (20%)

Develop and establish top-performing team members who are motivated, accountable, and committed to delivering outstanding results.

Collaborate and interface effectively with all cross-functional departments - including Commercial, Finance, HR, Planning, Purchasing, and Product Development - to maximize operational success and enhance expertise across the organization.

Key Attributes & Strengths

Motivational and inspiring leadership style that drives team engagement and accountability

Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset, focused on operational efficiency and continuous improvement

Results-oriented, with a disciplined approach to achieving production, quality, and cost targets

Effective communicator and collaborator, able to align cross-functional teams and drive operational success

Proactive decision-maker with a hands-on approach to solving production challenges

Demonstrates urgency and focus on execution while maintaining a safe and compliant work environment

Skilled at developing, coaching, and mentoring team members to build a high-performing, accountable workforce

Adaptable and resilient, able to manage changing priorities and maintain performance under pressure

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field preferred; equivalent production management experience considered

5 years of supervisory or leadership experience in a manufacturing or production environment

Deep understanding of production processes, quality control, and lean manufacturing principles (e.g., Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S)

Proven leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate, develop, and hold a production team accountable

Hands-on experience with continuous improvement initiatives and process optimization projects

Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively across departments

Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems, production reporting, and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable improvements

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while maintaining focus on safety and compliance

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