Operations Development Manager

M2S Group•Appleton, WI

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Operations Development Manager oversees workforce planning, scheduling, training coordination, employee support, and daily operational execution across assigned production areas. This role manages approximately 4 to 6 shift supervisors and plays a key role in building a strong culture focused on people, accountability, communication, safety, standard work, training, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Experience in manufacturing, plant operations, workforce planning, scheduling, or operational leadership.
Strong understanding of staffing, scheduling, training coordination, standard work, employee support, and plant floor execution.
Ability to work cross-functionally with operations leaders, Human Resources, safety teams, and frontline employees.
Familiarity with labor agreements, attendance management, overtime administration, transfers, and employee relations practices.
Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and workforce, scheduling, reporting, or HRIS systems.

Nice To Haves

Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, standard work implementation, project leadership, or problem-solving methodology experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage, coach, and support approximately 4 to 6 shift supervisors to ensure consistent leadership, communication, accountability, and people-focused execution across shifts.
Monitor daily workforce needs, maintain staffing coverage, and adjust schedules based on absences, vacations, training needs, and business priorities.
Post and manage overtime opportunities, weekly schedules, job placements, and workforce assignments in alignment with staffing requirements and labor agreements.
Coordinate training plans, track employee progress, update training materials or knowledge boards, and support workforce readiness through standard work.
Respond to employee questions, plant floor concerns, and operational issues in a timely and professional manner.
Partner with Human Resources and operations leadership on attendance, discipline, investigations, employee relations matters, and follow-up actions.
Support employee meetings, staffing discussions, safety meetings, and cross-functional operational meetings.
Assist with safety investigations, document findings, and follow up on corrective actions to support a safe work environment.
Develop, train, implement, and sustain standard work practices across the plant to improve consistency, accountability, safety, and operational performance.
Maintain workforce planning tools, headcount tracking, transfer planning, vacancy management, and related reports.