Manager of Production Operations – Powders

Plansee•Towanda, PA

About The Position

The Manager of Production Operations is responsible for leading and developing the manufacturing workforce to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production operations. This role focuses on people leadership, team engagement, and process optimization, working in partnership with the Engineering Manager (who oversees product and technical processes). This role ensures that business processes run smoothly, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations Management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
7+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
Strong people management skills with a proven ability to build high-performing teams.
Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

People Leadership & Development Lead, coach, and mentor production supervisors and frontline employees to achieve operational goals.
Drive employee engagement, morale, and retention through effective communication and recognition programs.
Ensure compliance with safety standards and promote a strong safety culture.
Manage workforce planning, scheduling, and staffing to meet production demands.
Operational Excellence Oversee daily production activities, ensuring adherence to established business processes and quality standards.
Collaborate with Engineering and Development Manager to align operational goals with technical requirements.
Monitor KPIs (productivity, efficiency, labor utilization) and implement corrective actions when needed.
Champion continuous improvement initiatives focused on workflow, resource allocation, and cost control.
Production Equipment and Infrastructure Monitor state and lifetime of all production equipment, coordinate repairs, and services together with Maintenance, Engineering and external partners.
Contribute to development of production infrastructure (layout, Capex planning & execution)
Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with HR, Quality, Maintenance, and Engineering to resolve issues impacting production.
Serve as a key liaison between leadership and the shop floor, ensuring transparency and alignment.