Senior Manager, Manufacturing Operations

Position

Senior Manager, Manufacturing Operations – Louisville, KY, USA

• Lead Manufacturing Operations: provide overall leadership for a manufacturing area, driving performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and culture.
• Develop and execute annual operational plans aligned with plant and business objectives.
• Lead, coach, and support salaried and hourly team members to achieve operational goals.
• Monitor production performance, identify opportunities, and drive rapid issue resolution through structured problem‑solving.
• Ensure adherence to Lean manufacturing principles, standardized work, and escalation processes.
• Manage departmental metrics, budgets, and operational reporting.
• Establish a disciplined operating rhythm through daily performance reviews and leadership engagement.
• Coach leaders and team members on training effectiveness, job instruction methods, and operational excellence.
• Maintain and continuously improve 5S standards throughout the manufacturing area.
• Embed the Appliance Production System and continuous improvement mindset into daily operations.
• Lead efforts to identify inefficiencies, eliminate waste, and improve productivity.
• Facilitate root‑cause analysis and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams, including Lean resources, to resolve operational challenges.
• Drive Kaizen events and ensure improvement actions are sustained over time.
• Lead issue management processes, assigning ownership and ensuring timely closure.
• Optimize workflow and labor utilization through tools such as Yamazumi charts and line balancing techniques.
• Develop and inspire a cross‑functional manufacturing organization focused on engagement, accountability, and results.
• Set clear expectations and provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and development opportunities.
• Partner with Human Resources on performance management, succession planning, and talent development initiatives.
• Address employee relations matters with consistency, professionalism, and fairness.
• Recruit, allocate, and develop talent to support operational needs.
• Mentor emerging leaders and build organizational capability for the future.
• Ensure products are manufactured to specification and meet customer expectations.
• Maintain compliance with Manufacturing Control Plans and quality standards.
• Monitor quality performance metrics and drive rapid resolution of defects.
• Partner with Engineering and Quality teams to implement preventive actions and improve product performance.
• Lead scrap‑reduction initiatives and drive sustainable quality improvements.
• Improve key performance indicators including First Pass Yield, Overall Yield, and Service Call Rate.
• Own safety performance and results for the manufacturing area.
• Promote a proactive safety culture through audits, observations, training, and employee engagement.
• Ensure compliance with all safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead accident investigations, root‑cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.
• Drive closure of safety action items resulting from incidents, near misses, and ergonomic assessments.
• Champion a culture where safety is embedded in every aspect of daily operations.

• 7+ years of leadership experience in manufacturing, operations, supply chain, supplier management, or project implementation environments.
• Strong operational leadership experience with demonstrated success driving results through people and process improvements.
• Experience leading cross‑functional teams and delivering measurable business outcomes.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field.
• Graduate of a Supply Chain Development Program (SCDP) or similar leadership development program.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, DMAIC, Kaizen, Workout, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and leadership skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Demonstrated success leading change, improving operational performance, and developing high‑performing teams.