Job Description
Job Overview:
For over 60 years, E & E has been a leading supplier in the automotive industry specializing in metal stampings and welded assemblies. Our growth and success is a result of the dedication and commitment of our company.
Role Description:
The Operations Manager is a senior plant leadership role responsible for the safe, efficient, and profitable execution of all manufacturing operations within a $80-100M metal stamping and welded assembly facility. This role provides direct oversight of production, quality, maintenance, materials, and continuous improvement functions, ensuring the plant meets customer delivery commitments, quality standards, and financial targets. The Operations Manager partners closely with the Plant Manager and functional leaders to drive a high-performance culture grounded in safety, accountability, and operational excellence.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Also, additional job duties may be assigned.
Production & Operations Leadership
- Direct day-to-day manufacturing operations across metal stamping, resistance/MIG welding, and assembly cells to meet production schedules and customer release requirements.
- Manage production planning and scheduling in coordination with the Materials and Customer Service teams, optimizing machine utilization and labor efficiency.
- Oversee tooling and die management, including PM compliance, repair prioritization, and coordination with the tool room.
- Drive OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) improvements by reducing downtime, changeover time, and scrap rates across press and weld operations.
- Ensure adherence to standardized work, visual management systems, and production control boards throughout the shop floor.
Safety, Health & Environmental (SH&E)
- Champion a zero-incident safety culture; ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, internal SH&E policies, and site-specific risk controls.
- Lead or participate in incident investigations (near-miss, first aid, recordable), root cause analysis, and corrective action closure.
- Conduct regular safety gemba walks and ensure all associates receive required safety training and PPE compliance.
- Monitor and maintain compliance with environmental regulations applicable to stamping and welding operations (air, waste, noise, chemical handling).
Quality Management
- Ensure the facility operates in accordance with IATF 16949 / ISO 9001 quality management system requirements.
- Drive first-time quality through error-proofing (poka-yoke), control plan adherence, and in-process inspection standards.
- Own internal scrap, rework, and warranty metrics; lead structured problem-solving (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone) on chronic quality escapes.
- Serve as an escalation point for customer quality concerns and corrective action requests; coordinate responses with the Quality team.
People Leadership & Development
- Directly supervise Production Supervisors, Team Leaders, and indirectly lead 80–200+ hourly associates across multiple shifts.
- Build supervisor and team leader capability through structured coaching, performance management, and developmental feedback.
- Partner with HR on talent acquisition, onboarding, disciplinary actions, and labor relations activities.
- Cultivate a culture of engagement, respect, and continuous improvement at all levels of the workforce.
Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing
- Lead and sustain Lean/CI initiatives including 5S, kaizen events, value stream mapping, and waste elimination projects.
- Develop and track KPIs (safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity) and use data to prioritize and drive improvement actions.
- Support the deployment of new programs, engineering changes, and product launches through structured APQP/PPAP activities.
- Champion a culture of problem-solving and standardization; recognize and reward improvement contributions from all team members.
Financial Performance & Cost Management
- Manage the operations budget including labor, overtime, tooling, consumables, and MRO; identify and execute cost reduction opportunities.
- Deliver on contribution margin and productivity targets through efficient resource allocation and waste elimination.
- Provide input to capital justification for equipment, tooling, and infrastructure investments.
- Analyze and report weekly/monthly operational performance to Plant Manager and senior leadership.
Maintenance & Asset Management
- Oversee the Maintenance department (or partner with Maintenance Manager) to ensure PM compliance, equipment reliability, and minimal unplanned downtime.
- Prioritize maintenance work orders based on production impact and safety risk; support transition toward predictive maintenance practices.
- Maintain plant infrastructure and ensure capital assets are properly utilized, documented, and maintained.
Expectations
Employees are expected to follow all standards listed below:
- Consistently exhibit appropriate attendance habits, working the hours necessary to perform the job.
- Organize and maintain efficiency of personal work area.
- Provide necessary, accurate, and timely feedback of all pertinent information to co-workers and management.
- Effectively communicate with co-workers and management personnel to enhance teamwork and communication initiatives.
- Consistently adhere to and support company policies and procedures, including ISO14001, IATF16949, and safety regulations.
- Accept instructions and duties in a positive manner.
- Treat all co-workers with dignity and respect.
- Actively support the E&E values.
Work Environment
Work environment characteristics are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Employees also may be subject to certain environments such as working near loud moving mechanical parts. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The following environments include:
- Office environment split with plant enviroment
- Wet or humid conditions (non-weather)
- Fumes or air borne particles
- Toxic or caustic chemicals
- Extreme cold (non-weather)
- Extreme heat (non-weather)
- Risk of electrical shock
- Risk of radiation
- Vibration
Noise Level
The noise level in the working environment will be heavy with high traffic when in plant. Ear protection will be required.
Physical Demands
The physical demands describes below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The following physical demands include:
- Standing
- Walking
- Sitting
- Climb or balance
- Weight up to 50 Pounds
Education/Experience/Certifications:
To effectively carry out duties and responsibilities in the job position the following education, experience, or certifications are preferred:
Education:
- Must have a college Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Industrial Management, or the equivalent in practical and specialized training.
Experience:
- 7–12+ years of progressive manufacturing operations experience, with at least 3–5 years in a supervisory or management capacity.
- Hands-on experience in metal stamping (progressive, transfer, or blanking dies) and welded assembly (MIG, resistance/spot welding) environments strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience managing multi-shift operations and large hourly workforces in a Tier 1 or Tier 2 automotive or industrial supply environment.
- Track record of P&L accountability and delivering results against budgeted cost, quality, and delivery targets.
Certifications:
- None
Additional Skills Required:
To effectively carry out duties and responsibilities in the job position the following skills are required:
Computer skills:
- Experience with basic computer systems.
Communication skills:
- Speak effectively with fellow employees or customers.
- Read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, etc.
- Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Mathematical skills:
- Ability to apply basic and intermediate mathematical concepts into documents understandable by E&E employees, customers, and customer targets. Understands the basic functions of trigonometry and algebra, and their application as a problem solving tool. Understands basic statistics, and is able to apply them to pertinent information.
Other Skills:
- Detail oriented.
- Organized and able to meet deadlines while performing multiple duties.
- Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
- Possesses some knowledge of industrial engineering, human resource laws and regulations, and employee relations skills.
- Must have a broad and in-depth knowledge of labor relations, manufacturing methods, and production planning.
Benefits
E & E offers a competitive wage, solid opportunity, and a career path to success. We offer comprehensive benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, 401 (k) program, and free membership to local gym.
