Operations Manager, Coating & Bonding

Slate Auto•Warsaw, IN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them. We are seeking an Operations Group Lead to lead day-to-day production activities within the Bonding and Coating Department. This role is a hands-on, floor-focused leadership position responsible for supervising production associates and team leads, ensuring safe operations, high-quality output, and on-time delivery. The Operations Group Lead partners closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain to support stable, repeatable, and efficient production.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or equivalent experience.
5+ years in automotive or high‑volume manufacturing.
2+ years in a supervisory or team‑lead role within production.
Understanding of E‑coat systems, industrial adhesives, and robotic automation.
Knowledge of PFMEA, control plans, standardized work, and quality systems.
Familiarity with Lean manufacturing and structured problem‑solving tools.
Working knowledge of OSHA requirements and environmental compliance related to chemicals and coating processes.
Strong communicator able to influence across functions and build trust.
Proven ability to coach teams, enforce standards, and maintain accountability.
Capable of making timely decisions under pressure and prioritizing effectively.
Commitment to safety, team development, and continuous improvement.
Comfortable leading on the shop floor in a highly automated industrial environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with coating systems, adhesive bonding, robotics, or paint/body processes (preferred).

Responsibilities

Operational Leadership Lead daily production activities across Bonding & Coating, including E‑coat, robotic sealers, and adhesive bonding cells.
Ensure safe, efficient, and high‑quality output that meets takt time, schedule, and customer requirements.
Assign labor, balance workloads, and support cross‑shift coordination.
Coach and support Team Leaders and hourly team members in daily operations.
Safety & Compliance Enforce all safety standards: chemical handling, PPE, LOTO, confined space, and robotic/automation safety.
Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and environmental controls for coating, chemicals, and waste handling.
Conduct safety audits, risk assessments, and corrective action follow‑through.
Champion a safety‑first culture across all operations.
Process & Quality Management Monitor and control key process parameters (E‑coat chemistry, sealer application, adhesive bond performance).
Partner with Quality & Engineering to investigate defects, contamination issues, and bonding failures.
Lead first-level root cause analysis and drive corrective actions.
Maintain accurate safety, quality, and environmental documentation.
Continuous Improvement Lead Lean initiatives including 5S, standard work, waste reduction, and cycle time improvements.
Identify opportunities in robotic programming, material usage, uptime, and process stability.
Support PFMEA updates, control plan revisions, and implementation of engineering changes.
Reduce scrap, rework, and downtime using structured problem‑solving methods.
Reporting & Performance Metrics Track and report KPIs such as safety incidents, scrap, downtime, FTT, chemical usage, and labor efficiency.
Deliver daily production summaries and escalate risks to schedule, quality, or safety.