Operations Manager

BENTELER • Blythewood, SC

7d

About The Position

The Operations Manager will lead manufacturing operations at BENTELER Automotive’s new plant in Columbia, South Carolina. This hands-on leader will help build the operations team, support the successful launch and ramp-up of production, and establish a culture focused on safety, quality, delivery, cost, continuous improvement, and employee development.

The role has authority to set daily production priorities and allocate operational resources, adjust staffing and production activities within approved plans, and stop production when an immediate safety, quality, environmental, or customer risk exists. The Operations Manager also recommends decisions regarding hiring, development, corrective action, equipment, and process improvements.

This is an opportunity to help build a new manufacturing operation from the ground up and shape its team, culture, processes, and performance standards. The position is permanent, full-time, and has a 40-hour workweek. English is required.

Requirements

• Progressive manufacturing leadership experience with responsibility for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people development.
• Experience leading production supervisors and manufacturing teams.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, production planning, capacity management, and cost control.
• Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, 5S, standardized work, root-cause analysis, and visual management.
• Ability to interpret operational data and use performance metrics to drive improvement.
• Strong leadership, communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with ERP or production-management systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• English language proficiency.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, Manufacturing, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• New-plant launch, production ramp-up, or operational-turnaround experience.
• Automotive or other high-volume manufacturing experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily production activities to achieve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost objectives.
• Support plant launch, production ramp-up, staffing, training, and operational stabilization.
• Develop, coach, and hold production leaders and team members accountable for performance.
• Monitor operational results and lead corrective actions when performance does not meet expectations.
• Partner with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Human Resources to resolve operational issues.
• Drive Lean manufacturing, standardized work, waste reduction, and continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Manage production capacity, labor utilization, downtime, scrap, and manufacturing costs.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and applicable safety, quality, and environmental requirements.
• Build an engaged, collaborative, and high-performing plant culture.
• Establish daily production priorities and allocate operational resources.
• Adjust staffing and production activities within approved plans.
• Stop production when an immediate safety, quality, environmental, or customer risk exists.
• Recommend hiring, development, corrective action, equipment, and process-improvement decisions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed