Operations Excellence Manager

Associated Materials, LLC • Ennis, TX

19h

About The Position

The Operations Excellence Manager will lead, implement, and sustain a culture of continuous improvement across manufacturing operations, with a focus on the Vinyl, Composite, and Metal plants. The role drives measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost through Lean methodologies, and calls for a skilled change agent and mentor who can engage and influence teams at every level.

Reporting directly to the VP of Operations, Vinyl, Composite & Metal, the position operates in a dynamic, multi-plant environment and builds an end-to-end understanding of the business. The initial focus is the Ennis, Texas vinyl plant, where the manager will lead strategic initiatives to improve operational excellence and efficiency, and teach people. The role also provides a structured development path intended to prepare the successful candidate for future Plant Manager responsibilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, business, or a related technical field.
• At least 7 years of progressive leadership experience in a manufacturing environment with multifunctional exposure.
• Proven success in operations management or a similar role.
• Demonstrated experience leading Lean or continuous improvement projects with measurable outcomes.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach.
• Advanced knowledge of process-improvement tools such as Kaizen, 5S, and VSM, and proficiency with data-analysis tools.
• Effective leadership skills, including the ability to build rapport and drive team excellence; a hands-on, resilient, and collaborative approach.
• Excellent communication and facilitation abilities, with the capacity to engage people from the plant floor to the executive suite.
• Results-oriented mindset focused on delivering high-quality outcomes.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• Experience in metal, vinyl, or window manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Learn all facets of plant operations—including production, maintenance, supply chain, quality, and engineering—through a structured rotation, and take increasing ownership of daily plant performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people metrics.
• Partner with Plant Managers and the VP of Operations to lead strategic projects aligned with corporate goals, and support deployment of Hoshin Kanri by translating high-level objectives into actionable plant-level plans.
• Lead and support Lean and continuous improvement initiatives; facilitate Kaizen events, implement standard work, establish daily management systems, and reduce waste to optimize processes.
• Conduct root cause analysis to identify systemic issues and implement corrective actions; track project progress and quantify cost savings, productivity, and throughput improvements.
• Supervise, mentor, and coach supervisors, team leaders, and staff to build leadership capabilities and foster accountability and engagement.
• Participate in budgeting, financial analysis, and cost-control initiatives, gaining experience relevant to future P&L ownership.
• Ensure operations meet quality standards, customer requirements, and regulatory guidelines.
• Establish, track, and report KPIs to measure improvement-project effectiveness and sustain results.
• Drive and facilitate a culture of continuous improvement and accountability; work with cross-functional teams to manage change and overcome resistance.
• Apply advanced problem-solving techniques, including Root Cause Analysis, to address complex manufacturing challenges and implement corrective actions.

Benefits

• Structured development path designed to prepare for future Plant Manager responsibilities.
• Direct and dedicated mentorship from the VP of Operations and experienced Plant Managers.
• Exposure to a variety of products, processes, and best practices across the company’s network of 10 plants.
• Challenging and supportive company environment focused on safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Benefits information is available through the company’s Total Rewards page; specific benefits are not listed in the posting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager