Head of Operations & Business Management

The Position: The Operations Execution Manager is a high-impact enterprise role responsible for driving operational performance, leading critical initiatives, and supporting plant execution across the manufacturing network.This role is a key component of the organization’s leadership pipeline:This position partners with Plant Managers and enterprise leaders to solve complex operational challenges, improve performance, and ensure alignment to company strategy.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:Level I - Focus on execution, learning the business, and building readiness for Plant Manager.Partners with Plant Managers to support daily execution and performance improvement Identifies operational gaps and contribute to solutions Supports stabilization efforts at underperforming plants Leads defined workstreams or smaller initiatives within larger projects Executes against established timelines and deliverables Partners with Engineering, Finance, Sales, and HR to support execution Builds foundational ability to influence without authority Participates in deployment assignments to support plant needs Contributes to problem-solving in fast-paced environments Builds understanding of plant operations, metrics, and leadership expectations Develops leadership and operational decision-making capability Other duties as assigned.Leads operational improvement efforts across departments or projects Drives measurable performance improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost Serves as a trusted partner to Plant Managers Owns and leads initiatives with clear business impact Ensures alignment across stakeholders and functions Leads coordination across Sales, Finance, Engineering, and HR Resolves competing priorities and drive aligned decisions Leads SWAT workstreams or deployments with accountability for results Steps into interim leadership roles as needed Supports team leadership, performance management, and execution Demonstrates readiness for Plant Manager role Builds financial acumen and enterprise-level thinkingOther duties as assigned

YOUR SKILLS AND ABILITIES (REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS):Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).Strong leadership experience in manufacturing or operations environments Proven ability to drive results in fast-paced, complex environments Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills Ability to influence across functions and levels Travel: Up to 50%Level IExperience: 5+ years of experience in manufacturing or operations leadership positionsDemonstrated ability to execute projects and support improvements Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Emerging leadership and collaboration capabilityLevel IIExperience: 8+ years of experience in manufacturing or operations leadership positionsProven track record of leading initiatives with measurable impact Strong cross-functional leadership and influence Ability to operate independently in ambiguous environments Demonstrated readiness for Plant Manager rolePHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:Office and plant environment.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.ABOUT GREAT DANE:With a history dating back to 1900, Great Dane has established itself as a transportation solutions leader of today - delivering innovative products and exceptional services that help our customers and employees succeed. We not only engineer durable and high-quality trailers and truck bodies; Great Dane is a leading manufacturer of dry-freight vans, refrigerated trailers, and flatbeds with 10 manufacturing facilities and 20 service centers throughout the United States. Our culture is comprised of “Champions” and offers a rewarding workplace rooted in core values of safety, leadership, integrity, quality, and passion. BENEFITS OVERVIEW:Competitive compensation Benefits, including but not limited to dental, vision, and medical with employer contributions Retirement programs, including a Pension Plan and 401(k) Plan with employer match Tuition ReimbursementPaid holidays and vacationAnd more!ManufacturingPosition Type: Regular Full-Time