Operations Manager - Manufacturing

Job Description

Location:

P08 - Vicksburg, 115 S Leja Drive, Vicksburg, Michigan, United States of America

Posted Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Summit Polymers is a leading, global supplier of automotive interior systems including consoles, door panels, and instrument panels. With over 50 years serving the industry, we deliver engineering and product excellence to our customers, on time, in budget, with the latest innovations.

A career with Summit Polymers means working with smart people in a culture that thrives on challenging, meaningful work. At Summit, we look for growth potential with every hire. We don’t just fill seats, we set people on career paths. We’re always on the lookout for smart people who are committed to continuous improvement, customer service and quality.

Manager, Operations (Manufacturing) – Exempt

General Manager

Directs, administers, and coordinates all the activities of the plant operations to achieve safety, quality, cost and delivery objectives. Manages the plant staff, including department managers responsible for Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Materials, Maintenance, and the plant Lean Manufacturing Engineer.

• Meet manufacturing operation objectives, including key metrics related to:
• Safety
• Quality
• Cost
• Delivery
• Ensure plant has a safe working environment through:
• Employee awareness
• Proper 5S and housekeeping
• Layered safety audits and closure of safety related issues
• Effective Emergency Plan.
• Cooperates with the GM on Projects and plans plant resources including:
• Capital equipment
• Facilities
• Cooperates with the GM for capacity planning activities, including:
• Assessment and update of plant Sales Forecast
• Population of corporate molding, painting, and assembly capacity tools.
• Ensures plant manufacturing operations closely adhere to Summit Lean Manufacturing System (SLMS) practices. Key SLMS elements include:
• Root Cause Problem Solving (PPS)
• Ensure successful new product launch:
• Engage closely in the product development process
• Ensure plant prepares for successful launch of new products, following Knowledge Based Product Development (KBPD) and customer specific requirements.
• Ensure plant team engages in team-work with corporate engineering, sales, and materials functions throughout the entire development and launch cycle of new products.
• Promotes the utilization of root cause problem solving using Practical Problem Solving (PPS)
• Manages and provides leadership to plant staff managers
• Conducts daily staff meetings
• Clearly assigns responsibility for issues
• Requires departmental action plans
• Ensures Plan-Do-Check-Act methodology is utilized
• Cooperates with the GM to ensure plant compliance to SPI systems and procedures supporting:
• IATF 16949 Quality standard
• ISO 14001 Environmental standard
• Ensures plant adopts and complies with corporate standardization initiatives
• SLMS, Molding, Painting, Quality Systems, Maintenance Systems, Materials Systems, etc.
• Assists the GM in plant Talent Development initiative to train and develop high potential employees for growth within SPI
• As needed by the GM, understands and represents corporate management in matters of company philosophy, quality ethics, and personnel policies.
• Manages overall plant manufacturing/support personnel activities, including hiring, promotion, demotion, transfers, and disciplinary actions.
• Assists the GM in managing plant customer relationships, including ensuring appropriate SPI to customer contact relationships are maintained.
• Works with the GM to provide necessary resources to protect and maintain the facility at all times.
• Ensures plant compliance to all local, state and federal government regulations and reporting requirements.
• Works with Human Resources to assure a positive, constructive working environment built on honesty, fairness, integrity, and respect. Provides a working atmosphere conducive to good industrial and community relations.
• Personally maintains plant floor focus, “go and see”, engage with all shifts
• Other duties as assigned.

• Minimum of 5 years experience at a technical or management level.…