Manufacturing Unit Manager

Position Overview

Novelis is one of the world leaders in aluminum recycling and rolling and a leading sustainable aluminum solutions provider. Driven by our purpose of shaping a sustainable world together, we work alongside our customers to provide innovative solutions to the aerospace, automotive, beverage packaging and specialty markets. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Novelis has approximately 13,000 employees in 32 operating facilities on 4 continents.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Novelis - Guthrie, KY is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Unit Manager (MUM) for the Guthrie Recycle Center. The Manufacturing Unit Manager is responsible for leading the operational and technical performance of a complex 24/7 recycling operation. This role provides leadership and direction in safety, environmental stewardship, quality, production, cost, reliability, customer service, workforce development, and continuous improvement. Reporting directly to the Plant Manager, the Manufacturing Unit Manager serves as a key member of the plant leadership team and partners across production, maintenance, engineering, quality, EHS, supply chain, finance, and human resources to achieve plant and business objectives. The role drives execution of production plans, development of frontline leaders and team members, equipment and process performance, operational excellence, workforce capability, and support for capital projects, facility growth, startup and commissioning activities, and business transformation initiatives. The successful candidate will be a visible and approachable leader who models the Novelis Cultural Beliefs and fosters a workplace built on safety, accountability, teamwork, inclusion, respect, open communication, and continuous improvement.

 

Responsibilities:

 

• Lead daily manufacturing operations to achieve safety, quality, production, cost, reliability, and customer service objectives.
• Promote a strong safety culture through visible leadership, proactive risk identification, hazard mitigation, and adherence to company policies and procedures.
• Partner with Environmental, Health, and Safety teams to support compliance with applicable laws, regulations, permits, company standards, and sustainability commitments.
• Serve as a visible and approachable leader who actively engages employees throughout the operation.
• Model and promote the Novelis Cultural Beliefs and leadership expectations.
• Lead operational excellence initiatives, including 5S, standard work, visual management, structured problem solving, and continuous improvement.
• Develop frontline leaders and team members through mentoring, performance management, and professional development.
• Support succession planning and talent development to strengthen organizational capability and leadership readiness.
• Foster a workplace culture built on accountability, teamwork, inclusion, respect, and open communication.
• Collaborate with production, maintenance, quality, engineering, EHS, supply chain, finance, and human resources teams to achieve business objectives.
• Drive execution of production plans while balancing operational efficiency, quality standards, asset capability, and customer requirements.
• Monitor and improve key performance indicators, including safety, quality, throughput, yield, recovery, productivity, reliability, cost, and delivery performance.
• Partner with maintenance and engineering teams to improve equipment reliability, asset utilization, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Lead structured problem-solving activities and support implementation of corrective and preventive actions to improve operational performance and prevent recurrence.
• Manage departmental spending and resources in alignment with approved budgets and business objectives.
• Support workforce planning to maintain appropriate staffing, skills, and organizational capability for current and future business needs.
• Evaluate and support capital projects, technology implementation, equipment upgrades, and operational improvement initiatives.
• Use data analysis and performance metrics to establish priorities, make informed decisions, and drive continuous improvement.
• Oversee contractor activities within assigned areas and promote adherence to applicable safety, environmental, and operational requirements.

• Support facility growth, expansion projects, startup and commissioning activities, and business transformation initiatives as required.
• Build and develop high-performing teams through clear expectations, coaching, consistent follow-through, and accountability.
• Promote collaboration across functions and organizational levels to achieve plant and business objectives.
• Demonstrate integrity, transparency, and sound judgment in decision-making.
• Perform other duties consistent with the position as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

 

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant manufacturing leadership experience
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Demonstrated success leading teams within a complex 24/7 operational environment
• Experience driving measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and cost performance
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and collaborating across multiple business functions
• Knowledge of manufacturing operations, performance management systems, budgeting, workforce planning, and continuous improvement methodologies
• Strong leadership, communication, coaching, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, establish priorities, and make sound business decisions
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including regular presence in an industrial manufacturing environment
• Advanced degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field preferred
• Experience in aluminum manufacturing, recycling, remelt, casting, metals processing, or another heavy industrial manufacturing environment preferred
• Experience leading both hourly and salaried employee populations preferred
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, or similar continuous improvement systems preferred
• Experience supporting capital project execution, facility expansions, major equipment installations, or startup and commissioning activities preferred

 

This job description summarizes the primary responsibilities and qualifications of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Responsibilities may change based on business needs, consistent with applicable law.

 

*Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship

 

What We Offer:

Novelis' benefits say a lot about how we care for each other. Our employees and their families have many different needs. As a result, our benefits offer choices on many levels and are high in quality, driven by the marketplace, and affordable. In addition to core benefits, we provide these unique to the industry benefits:

• Family Growth Programs: Paid parental Leave, Adoption Assistance, Fertility Treatment, Childcare Discount and Nursing Mom Support
• Employee Assistance Programs: free resources available 24/7 to you and your family in the areas of mental health, family life, and career and financial guidance
• Wellness Programs: incentives for wellness activities, wellness spending account, programs for building healthy habits, virtual physical therapy for joint, back, and pelvic health, health management programs and more.
• Diabetes Management Program
• Pet insurance
• Identity Theft Protection
• PerkSpot Discount Program
• Tuition assistance and career development programs!

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Location Profile

Novelis’ Guthrie facility is located in Guthrie Kentucky approximately 30 minutes from the Tennessee state line near Clarksville Tennessee and Hopkinsville Kentucky. As Novelis’ newest facility Guthrie will house a heat treatment and pretreatment line that will serve the North American automotive market and employ 125 residents. In addition to hunting fishing and hiking residents enjoy the Guthrie Transportation Museum which is the hub of the city’s renewal efforts. The Guthrie team enjoys partnerships with Hopkinsville Community College Todd County High School Guthrie Fire Department and several local Rotary Clubs.

 

Novelis recognizes its talented and diverse workforce as a key competitive advantage. . Novelis provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. All terms and conditions of employment at Novelis including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoffs recalls transfers leaves of absence compensation and training are without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal provincial or local laws.

Disclaimer

We encourage all potential candidates to follow the protocols below and to be diligent when sharing any personal information:1. Check the job posting is live and valid via our careers page: Careers - Novelis2. Verify any communication with us by contacting our talent team at Careers - Novelis