Operations Manager

Opportunity Profile

Location: Charlotte, NC Area

Position Title: Operations Manager

The Opportunity:
A growing manufacturing organization is seeking a highly analytical, results-oriented Operations Manager to play a pivotal role in the next phase of the company's growth. This is not a traditional maintenance-focused operations position. Instead, it is an opportunity for a strategic manufacturing leader to evaluate data, uncover hidden opportunities, improve efficiencies, and drive meaningful operational change across the business.

The company is experiencing strong growth, with sales increasing approximately 15%, and leadership recognizes that future success will depend on building greater operational efficiency and scalability. The Operations Manager will be empowered to take existing operational information, KPIs, and manufacturing data and transform them into actionable improvement initiatives that reduce lead times, optimize inventory, improve throughput, and strengthen overall plant performance.

This individual will have the opportunity to make a visible impact throughout the organization by identifying inefficiencies, implementing continuous improvement initiatives, establishing accountability systems, and helping create a more data-driven operating environment. Success in this role will directly influence customer responsiveness, operational effectiveness, employee engagement, and the company's ability to sustain its growth trajectory.

The Company:
The company is a growing manufacturing organization focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence. The business has experienced significant growth and is committed to investing in leadership that can help scale operations while maintaining strong customer performance and manufacturing effectiveness.

Leadership sees substantial opportunity to improve efficiency, inventory management, lead times, and overall operational performance. The organization possesses strong operational data and reporting systems and is seeking a leader who can leverage that information to drive better business outcomes. This is an environment where the right individual can make a measurable and lasting impact on the entire operation.

The Boss:
The Operations Manager will report directly to the General Manager. The leadership team has intentionally sought to strengthen its management structure and is looking for a complementary operational leader who can bring strong analytical capabilities, continuous improvement discipline, and a focus on operational efficiency. Leadership values practical solutions, measurable results, and individuals who can help the business capitalize on opportunities created by growth.

The successful candidate will work closely with executive and plant leadership and will have support for implementing operational improvements, developing performance measurement systems, and helping shape the future direction of the operation.

The Position:
The Operations Manager will lead operational excellence initiatives across the manufacturing operation with a primary focus on efficiency improvement, inventory optimization, lead-time reduction, KPI management, and continuous improvement. This role requires a hands-on leader who can analyze data, identify opportunities, implement solutions, and create sustainable processes that support growth and profitability.

Essential Functions (Other duties may be assigned):

• Analyze operational KPIs, metrics, and manufacturing data to identify improvement opportunities.
• Lead initiatives that improve manufacturing efficiency and productivity.
• Manage inventory strategies to optimize operational and financial performance.
• Evaluate production processes and implement improvements that reduce lead times.
• Develop and execute continuous improvement programs across plant operations.
• Monitor performance dashboards and provide meaningful insights to leadership.
• Collaborate with production, shipping, logistics, and other operational functions.
• Establish measurable goals and accountability systems.
• Drive efficiency, quality, throughput, and cost improvement initiatives.
• Prepare reports and presentations that communicate operational performance and recommendations.
• Partner with customer service and operational teams as needed to improve responsiveness.
• Support the development of gain-sharing, incentive, or performance-based programs that encourage employee engagement and productivity.

Qualifications:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret operational data and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Proven success implementing sustainable operational improvements.
• Strong inventory management and process optimization experience.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple operational functions.
• Data-driven decision-making mindset with a continuous improvement focus.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of five years of manufacturing operations, plant management, continuous improvement, or related leadership experience.
• Experience interpreting KPIs, operational metrics, and manufacturing data.
• Manufacturing experience within packaging, converting, paper, corrugated, or related environments is preferred.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence training is preferred.
• Experience with ERP systems, business intelligence tools, and manufacturing analytics platforms is advantageous.

Work Environment:
This is a full-time leadership position based in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. The role operates within a manufacturing environment and requires close interaction with plant leadership, production teams, and other operational departments. The position combines hands-on operational involvement with strategic analysis and continuous improvement responsibilities.

Compensation:
A competitive compensation package will be offered commensurate with experience, along with the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a growing manufacturing organization. The role provides significant visibility, executive support, and long-term career growth potential for an operations professional seeking to make a substantial impact.