Manufacturing Process Optimization Manager (Contract)

Children's Factory•Union, MO

10d

About The Position

The Manufacturing Manager – Process Optimization (Contract) will play a critical role in supporting production operations while helping to execute process improvements and facility consolidation efforts. This position combines frontline supervision of hourly employees with applied experience in process optimization, workflow redesign, and facility transitions. The ideal candidate has participated in plant moves or production consolidations before and can balance shop floor leadership with implementing direction from leadership.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in manufacturing, including at least 2+ years in a supervisory or leadership role.
Prior experience supporting facility moves, consolidations, or large-scale workflow reconfigurations.
Strong track record of executing process improvements that improved efficiency, quality, or cost.
Comfortable supervising teams at multiple locations while also contributing hands-on as needed.
Ability to follow direction, execute plans, and communicate effectively with both leadership and hourly staff.
Strong problem-solving and adaptability in dynamic environments.

Responsibilities

Supervise and support hourly employees in assigned production departments.
Monitor daily performance to ensure safety, quality, delivery, and cost goals are achieved.
Provide hands-on assistance to teams, helping resolve bottlenecks and keep work flowing.
Assist with employee scheduling, training, and communication during transition periods.
Support leadership in redesigning workflows to reduce waste, improve flow, and increase productivity during and after transitions.
Collect production data and provide insights to guide decision-making and Continuous Improvement.
Help trial, implement, stabilize, and optimize new processes on the shop floor.
Participate in re-layout activities, equipment moves, and re-configuration of work areas.
Assist in planning and executing the transition from two buildings into one consolidated facility.
Coordinate with supervisors and teams to minimize disruption during equipment and workflow changes.
Support setup of new work areas, ensuring processes are running effectively after the move.
Act as a key floor resource to "make it work" during consolidation, bridging leadership direction with daily execution.
Serve as a point of contact between leadership and hourly employees during transition.
Provide clear communication and feedback to ensure employees understand changes.
Encourage engagement, ownership, and adaptability within production teams.