Head of Manufacturing Department

Department ManagerPrintpack, a leading name in plastic packaging manufacturing, is looking for a dynamic and experienced Department Manager to take the helm of our thermoforming and extrusion operations at our Newport News, Virginia facility. You'll have the autonomy to lead, the resources to innovate, and the support of a company that values continuous improvement at every level. Lead with Safety First – Ensure plant safety policies and regulatory compliance are consistently followed; drive root cause analysis and sustain corrective actionsDrive Production Excellence – Manage daily production and process functions by following established schedules to maximize utilization of equipment and associatesChampion Quality – Monitor production activities with a focus on quality standards, ensuring products meet customer specifications and preventing customer complaintsSpearhead Continuous Improvement – Lead improvement initiatives in safety, quality, waste reduction, and cost savings using lean manufacturing principles and methodologiesDevelop Your Team – Provide leadership to department leads and associates through coaching, mentoring, feedback, and professional development opportunitiesOptimize Processes – Improve existing procedures and standards or develop new ones to maximize production and quality while minimizing wasteDrive Accountability – Address performance issues in a timely manner and hold teams accountable for safety, quality, and productivity metricsCollaborate Cross-Functionally – Partner with internal departments to achieve customer satisfaction and coordinate improvement initiativesLeverage Data – Analyze production data, identify inefficiencies, and develop data-driven solutions to complex operational challengesLead Change – Guide the department through improvement initiatives including tests, trials, and implementation while ensuring successful adoptionEducation & ExperienceBachelor's degree in Business Administration, Process Management, Operations, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent experiencePrior experience in process optimization, operations management, or business management with demonstrated resultsLean Manufacturing certifications preferred (Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt, Kaizen certification)Previous experience operating or troubleshooting thermoforming/extrusion lines and processes is a plusRequired Skills & CompetenciesProven leadership and team management experience in a manufacturing environmentStrong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologiesExperience managing daily production operations, scheduling, and resource optimizationSolid understanding of industrial safety standards and regulatory complianceStrong project management skills with the ability to lead initiatives from concept to implementationAdvanced data analysis and performance measurement capabilitiesExcellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skillsDemonstrated change management and problem-solving abilitiesAbility to multitask, prioritize, and manage competing demands effectivelyWork Environment & Physical RequirementsPrimary office environment with regular plant floor exposureAbility to work in a manufacturing environment with varying temperatures, moderate noise levels, and occasional exposure to dust, chemicals, and industrial materialsMust be able to stand, walk, climb stairs/ladders, and work on elevated platformsCapability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionallyRequired to wear PPE including hearing protection, steel-toe shoes, and safety glassesWork Schedule: Monday–Friday with flexibility for operational needs; occasional overtime during peak production periodsPrintpack is proudly an equal-opportunity employer. Embracing diversity enhances our work culture and is vital to our success. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/parental status, genetic information, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, marital status, military or veteran status or affiliation, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.gov) - FMLA - FMLA (Spanish) - Polygraph Protection - Right to Work - Right to Work (Spanish)Printpack is committed to helping individuals with disabilities participate in the workforce and ensure equal opportunity to compete for jobs. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist you with your application for employment or job search, please get in touch with us by sending an email to View email address on click.appcast.io.