Manager, Operations

Operations Manager

This position is responsible for leading manufacturing operations within a liquid coatings production environment, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production while driving continuous improvement and operational performance. The Operations Manager will work closely with cross-functional teams to optimize manufacturing processes and ensure resources are effectively utilized to achieve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost targets while supporting operational excellence and sustainable growth.

Leadership & Team Management

• Provide direct leadership for manufacturing teams ensuring alignment with production, quality, safety and operational objectives. Develop and mentor supervisors, team leads, and frontline employees, to strengthen leadership capability and succession readiness.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, cross functional department engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a key liaison between functions and site leaders to ensure alignment and execution on priorities.

Production & Operational Efficiency

• Lead daily manufacturing operations to achieve production targets, optimize labor utilization, and maximize operational efficiencies.
• Ensure adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner cross-functionally with maintenance, quality, supply chain, engineering, chemists, and shipping to eliminate bottlenecks to improve throughput.
• Monitor and analyze key performance metrics (KPIs), including throughput, downtime, first-pass yield (FPY), and cost efficiency.

Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing

• Champion Lean Manufacturing and lead Kaizen events focused on waste reduction, process optimization, and productivity improvement.
• Utilize and promote data-driven decision-making and problem-solving methodologies to identify inefficiencies and drive sustainable corrective actions.
• Implement and sustain 6S principles and standardized work practices.
• Identify waste, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities in processes and workflows.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Lead by example in promoting a strong safety culture and ensuring compliance with all company safety policies, OSHA regulations, and environmental standards.
• Partner with EHS and Quality teams to proactively reduce incidents, improve compliance, and strengthen risk mitigation effort. Collaborate with the Quality Engineer to improve product consistency, reduce defects, and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Ensure timely investigation and resolution of safety, quality, and operational incidents through root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
• Maintain compliance with all regulatory, operational, and quality system requirements.

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Support all cross functional teams in executing strategic initiatives and operational goals.
• Contribute to budgeting, labor planning, capital investment projects, and operational resource strategies. Drive employee engagement initiatives to strengthen culture, performance and organizational capabilities.
• Lead operational execution against financial and productivity targets while supporting continuous business growth.

Personal Attributes and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 57 years of progressive manufacturing operations experience within a coatings, chemical, industrial manufacturing, or related process-driven environment preferred. Strong understanding of coatings manufacturing processes, batch operations, mixing/blending systems, dispersion methods, curing processes (radiation, thermal, and moisture), and related quality standards is highly desirable. Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills.
• Strong leadership and team-building abilities, with a proven track record of driving change.
• Proficiency in ERP systems, data analysis tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Demonstrates operational ownership and accountability for safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost performance.
• Ensures adherence to standards while driving continuous improvements.
• Balances short-term problem-solving with long-term operational improvements.
• Builds strong relationships, fosters a high-performance culture, and develops future leaders.
• Consistently delivers on key performance indicators, driving cost savings and productivity gains.

This job is primarily performed in an office environment. The noise level in the office is generally moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently interacts with individuals on the manufacturing floor, near moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the production environment is usually loud.

We care about and invest in our employees. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their well-being and foster professional development. Here is a glimpse of what you can look forward to if you join our team.

• Competitive Benefits Package for employees and their dependents (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability)
• Incentive Plans
• 401(k) with employer contribution and match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with employer match
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick Time)
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness Program
• Training and Career Progression

Apogee and our brands are an Equal Opportunity Employer.