Operations Manager

International Paper•Minneapolis, MN

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Operations Manager leads the Customer Service and Shipping Departments and reports directly to the Complex General Manager. The role provides direction and leadership to the customer support team, improves efficiency, profitability, and customer satisfaction through service and operations strategies, and supports team development and organizational goals. The manager serves as a front-line decision maker for major customer accounts, provides process and product expertise, and acts as a subject matter expert for other team members. The position oversees customer orders and commercial pricing, facility supply chain and replenishment, inventory and safety-stock standards, production scheduling, and shipment coordination. It also manages third-party freight logistics, customer hub and portal requirements, freight systems, and warehouse trailer optimization. Alongside daily operations, the manager implements and maintains systems, drives manufacturing improvements, and leads, coaches, motivates, and engages work teams to achieve operational objectives, including safety, engagement, and EBIT goals.

Requirements

Experience in Shipping and/or Customer Service is required.
At least five years of experience in manufacturing in the corrugated industry is specified for candidates with a relevant degree in Business Administration or Operations Management.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to respond to operational support requirements.
Ability to organize time effectively and prioritize tasks to manage fluctuating workloads.
Ability to lead and coordinate multifunctional teams and collaborate with other departments, customers, and business partners.
Demonstrated leadership ability to drive results and influence others to meet department objectives.
Proven track record of date-accurate data entry.
Proficiency in Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Ability to learn industry- and customer-specific computer systems.

Nice To Haves

A relevant degree in Business Administration or Operations Management.
At least five years of demonstrated supervisory and leadership experience.
KIWI knowledge.

Responsibilities

Provide overall direction and leadership to the customer support team.
Implement service and operations strategies to improve efficiency, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
Provide team members with challenging work and developmental objectives while sharing responsibility and accountability for organizational goals.
Act as a front-line decision maker for major and significant customer accounts, including accounts with enterprise agreements.
Provide process and product expertise and serve as a subject matter expert resource for team members.
Oversee receipt and processing of price quotation requests, purchase orders, order changes, adjustments, and cancellations.
Provide supply chain and replenishment leadership for facility customers.
Track forecast accuracy and define inventory and safety-stock standards.
Schedule facility production demands efficiently.
Manage order requirements through outside sales and offsite customer service organizations.
Manage commercial price updates, including price lists, trackers, audits, and communications to customers and the commercial team.
Monitor daily shipments and plant backlog by customer.
Work with Production to understand machine loading, booking, and load schedules, and communicate shipment timing internally and externally.
Manage third-party freight logistics, Customer HUB/PORTAL requirements, and IP freight systems.
Manage third-party warehouse trailer optimization and minimization.
Support Lead Team objectives, including Safety, Engagement, and EBIT.
Implement and maintain systems and drive manufacturing improvements.
Lead, coach, motivate, and engage work teams to accomplish operational objectives.