Director, Plant Operations

Location:

USA, Decatur, AL

Reports up through Executive Director (Plant Manager)

• Lead and oversee multi-shift Support Operations through senior managers, with indirect responsibility for team leaders, process technicians, and hourly operators.
• Translate plant strategy into clear, measurable objectives for each functional area and leader.
• Establish and maintain rigorous daily production management, including hour‑by‑hour performance tracking, scrap reduction, and quality metrics.
• Partner with the Plant Manager and leadership staff to align operations with plant‑level goals.
• Ensure appropriate salaried staffing levels and regularly review headcount and capability needs.
• Drive consistent communication across shifts, functional areas, and leadership teams.
• Maintain strong technical knowledge of operations and lead escalation, root‑cause analysis, and corrective action for operational abnormalities.
• Champion Lean manufacturing principles and ensure adherence to the Appliance Production System, standardized work, and escalation processes.
• Lead daily production and escalation meetings; communicate key issues, risks, and performance metrics.
• Ensure process stability through standardized work, 5S discipline, and continuous improvement.

• Build, lead, and develop an energized, accountable Support Operations leadership team.
• Set expectations, provide ongoing coaching, and drive performance management for salaried leaders.
• Partner with Human Resources to recruit, develop, and retain critical manufacturing talent.
• Support training, upskilling, cross‑training, and succession planning initiatives.
• Champion mentoring and career development across manufacturing disciplines, including thermoforming, process improvement, and appliance manufacturing.

• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, company safety policies, and environmental standards.
• Drive a strong safety culture through consistent adherence to LOTO, PPE, and safe work practices.
• Lead proactive safety initiatives and ensure accountability at all organizational levels.

• Develop and enforce quality standards to ensure all manufactured components meet specifications.
• Drive timely resolution of quality issues through corrective and preventive actions.
  
  Partner cross‑functionally to continuously improve quality performance.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or a related technical field, or management.
• Minimum of 10 years in progressive manufacturing or technical leadership roles.
• Strong manufacturing operational background and understanding.
• Relevant experience leading multiple shifts within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, develop, grow and maintain skilled teams.
• Fluent with Lean manufacturing principles.
• Strong communication skills – expected to communicate to all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of deliverables and drive decisions based on overall company goals.

• Experience with advanced thermoforming technologies, plastics manufacturing and extrusion systems.
• Strong understanding of employee relations and maintaining a positive employee relations environment.
• Experience implementing and/or operating under Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) system.

• Work inside and outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions.
• Use safety equipment: eye safety glasses, hearing protectors, work boots, hard hats.
• Work may require some weekend and/or evening duties.

GE Appliances is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.