Operations Manager Job Louisville area,Kentucky USA,Manufacturing / Production

Overview

The Operations Manager is responsible for leading the successful establishment, ramp‑up, and ongoing management of a new manufacturing production site. This role will oversee all aspects of operational readiness, including equipment installation, process development, staffing, production planning, and continuous improvement. The Operations manager will be supported by a Quality manager.

Following launch, the Operations Manager will be accountable for achieving operational, quality, safety, and financial performance targets while building a high‑performing manufacturing organization capable of supporting future growth.

Responsibilities Manufacturing Start-Up & Industrialization

Lead the end-to-end implementation of a new production line
Develop and execute the production launch plan, ensuring alignment with business objectives, customer requirements, and project timelines.
Coordinate facility modifications with the landlord (GEA); equipment procurement, installation, & commissioning; and production readiness activities.
Collaborate with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Maintenance, and EHS teams to ensure successful operational deployment. Collaboration will be with the local US team, with the Myto factory, the HQ functional leads & the GEA organization.
Define manufacturing processes, production workflows, material flow, labor requirements, and operating procedures.
Recruit, develop, and lead supervisors, production personnel, and support staff required for the new operation.
Support the SAP S4H implementation for the operations-related processes.
Establish production standards, KPIs, reporting systems, and visual management tools.
Identify and mitigate operational risks during start-up and ramp-up phases

Operations Leadership

Lead daily manufacturing operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost objectives.
Ensure production schedules are executed efficiently to meet customer demand and service level expectations.
Drive operational excellence through Lean Manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Monitor and optimize labor utilization, equipment performance, capacity, and manufacturing efficiency.
Develop contingency plans to address production disruptions and customer requirements.
Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, engagement, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or a related field.
Minimum 5 years experience in Manufacturing roles.
Experience with production planning, industrialization, process implementation, and operational scaling.

Other qualifications that would be beneficial in this role:

Experience in refrigeration or cooling systems (HVAC).
Proven experience leading a manufacturing start‑up, greenfield, brownfield, or major production launch project.
Background in Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Operational Excellence
Project Management

Skills

Proficient Computer Skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing performance metrics.
Project management and execution.
Financial acumen and budget management.
Customer-focused decision making.
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
Leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.

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