Area Manager

Lozier • Joplin, MO

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Area Manager oversees the daily operations of a designated production area to ensure safety, quality, delivery, cost, and morale (SQDCM) objectives are met. This leadership role manages production teams, coordinates with support departments, and implements continuous improvement initiatives to drive operational excellence. The Area Manager ensures efficient use of resources, adherence to company policies, and fosters accountability and teamwork through support, encouragement, and mentorship.

The role includes leading and developing supervisors, leads, and production employees; monitoring compliance with policies, safety regulations, quality standards, and production schedules; managing workforce planning and scheduling; and analyzing SCADA data and operational KPIs to identify improvement opportunities. The Area Manager also maintains production and personnel records, ensures training programs are current and effective, and leads or participates in cross-functional projects focused on cost savings, capacity expansion, or process standardization.

The position is onsite with a Monday-through-Friday schedule and occasional flexible scheduling depending on production needs. It requires frequent presence in manufacturing environments, including walking, standing, and collaborating with shift teams. A valid driver’s license is required. Successful completion of a pre-hire drug screen and post-offer background screen is required.

Requirements

• Associate degree in manufacturing, industrial engineering, business, or another relevant technical field is required; candidates without a degree must meet the stated experience alternative.
• At least 5 years of warehouse or manufacturing experience if degreed, or at least 7 years if non-degreed.
• At least 3 years of experience in a supervisory or lead role.
• Intermediate PC skills, including Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook, and experience with manufacturing systems (ERP/MES).
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, influence others, and manage change.
• Proven experience using SQDCM models to lead and unify teams.
• Analytical and quantitative problem-resolution skills.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, production and capacity planning, scheduling, execution, and lean manufacturing principles.
• Experience aligning process capability with internal or external customer requirements.
• Ability to recognize waste or losses and identify ways to reduce or minimize them.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team across business functions.
• Ability to drive continuous improvement.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to navigate manufacturing environments, including frequent walking and standing and exposure to machinery.
• Successful completion of a pre-hire drug screen and post-offer background screen.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing, industrial engineering, business, or another relevant technical field.
• Applied understanding of Six Sigma.
• Lean certification.
• Operational familiarity with SCADA systems.
• Functional knowledge of ISO 9000.
• Proficiency in APQP.
• Demonstrated ability in automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS).
• Bilingual skills.

Responsibilities

• Champion Lozier’s Mission, Vision, and Values and model the Lozier Leadership Model.
• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, leads, and production employees to achieve common goals and performance targets.
• Monitor compliance with local policies, safety regulations, quality standards, and production schedules.
• Ensure regulatory standards and company policies are understood, supported, and followed on the production floor.
• Support supervisors in maintaining quality standards such as ISO 9000 and advanced product quality planning (APQP).
• Oversee workforce planning and scheduling to optimize labor and equipment utilization.
• Recommend improvements to working conditions, production methods, equipment, and documented processes; remove barriers to production and resolve issues promptly.
• Encourage continuous improvement using support functions, lean manufacturing principles, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Analyze real-time and historical SCADA data to identify trends, anomalies, and process optimization opportunities.
• Analyze KPIs such as OEE, scrap rate, labor efficiency, and downtime, and implement improvements.
• Mentor supervisors in conducting process checks and monitoring performance to maintain process health and daily accountability.
• Maintain accurate records and reports on production output, downtime, personnel performance, and safety incidents.
• Ensure training programs are effective and current for workforce development and regulatory compliance.
• Lead or participate in cross-functional projects focused on cost savings, capacity expansion, or process standardization.
• Promote accountability, engagement, and high performance to achieve results under challenging circumstances.
• Demonstrate regular attendance and timeliness at work, meetings, and in completing assignments.
• Work and interact effectively with others.
• Lead strategic and budgetary planning sessions and execute plans, including defining, aligning, and deploying leading and lagging metrics.
• May support the collective bargaining process.

Benefits

• Company bonus potential.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision benefits beginning on the first day of employment.
• 401(k) with employer match.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Educational Assistance Program.
• Career Development Programs.
• Casual dress.
• Relocation benefits available, as applicable.
• Flex Fridays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree