Operations Manger- Cylinder Manufacturing

NATURAL GAS FUEL SYSTEMS LLC•Roanoke, TX

About The Position

The Operations Manager, Cylinder Manufacturing is responsible for the day-to-day operation and execution of the cylinder manufacturing department, ensuring production requirements are achieved safely, efficiently, and in accordance with established quality standards, regulatory requirements, and manufacturing processes. The role is the primary operational leader for the cylinder manufacturing floor and translates production requirements and departmental objectives into daily execution. The Operations Manager directly manages the Cylinder Manufacturing Team Lead, establishes daily priorities, removes barriers to production, develops the manufacturing team, and coordinates with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Materials, Supply Chain, Planning, and other supporting functions. This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role balancing safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, and people while building a disciplined, continuously improving manufacturing operation. The Operations Manager is accountable for department performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Productivity, and People; identifies problems early, assigns accountability, removes barriers, and drives sustainable resolution.

Requirements

Five or more years of manufacturing experience preferred, including progressive leadership responsibility.
Experience with ERP/MRP manufacturing systems required.
Must possess, or obtain within 45 days of hire, the applicable Texas Railroad Commission CNG license or certification for CNG service and installation; required CNG licenses and certifications must be maintained in good standing.
Must complete company-required safety, quality, regulatory, and cylinder manufacturing process training.
If required to drive on behalf of the company, must have a current, valid driver's license and meet company insurability requirements.
Strong floor-level manufacturing leadership and personnel management skills.
Ability to lead in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and make timely, effective decisions.
Strong understanding of production planning, manufacturing flow, labor planning, inventory control, and capacity constraints.
Ability to understand, communicate, and manage manufacturing key performance indicators.
Strong problem-solving and root-cause-analysis skills.
Ability to read and understand work instructions, manufacturing procedures, quality requirements, and production documentation.
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel and manufacturing ERP/MRP systems.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with manufacturing employees, cross-functional teams, customers, and senior leadership.
Demonstrated ability to hold teams accountable while developing and maintaining a positive, high-performance manufacturing culture.
Must be able to use required personal protective equipment and work around manufacturing equipment, industrial processes, and moderate noise levels.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field; equivalent education and relevant manufacturing leadership experience may be considered.
Five or more years of manufacturing experience, including progressive leadership responsibility.
Experience leading production in a safety-, quality-, and process-controlled manufacturing environment.
Experience managing Team Leads, supervisors, or other manufacturing leaders.
Experience with Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, 5S, standardized work, and structured problem solving.

Responsibilities

Own day-to-day cylinder manufacturing execution and ensure production objectives are achieved safely and efficiently.
Develop and execute daily and weekly manufacturing priorities based on production schedules, labor, equipment capacity, material availability, quality status, and operational constraints.
Direct the Cylinder Manufacturing Team Lead in assigning and coordinating manufacturing personnel.
Maintain an active presence on the manufacturing floor, identify production barriers, and drive issues to resolution.
Monitor production performance and adjust labor, sequencing, equipment utilization, and priorities as needed.
Coordinate with Materials, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Planning to maintain production flow.
Ensure production transactions, work orders, material usage, labor reporting, inventory movements, and manufacturing records are accurately completed in the ERP/MRP system.
Establish and reinforce a strong safety culture; ensure employees follow safety requirements, work instructions, procedures, regulatory requirements, and PPE requirements.
Ensure adherence to cylinder manufacturing processes, product specifications, quality requirements, process controls, traceability, inspection, and testing requirements.
Contain, document, and escalate production abnormalities, nonconforming material, equipment conditions, and process deviations.
Partner with Quality and Engineering to investigate manufacturing issues, identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and prevent recurrence.
Ensure operators are trained and qualified before independently performing assigned processes.
Ensure cylinder manufacturing complies with applicable CNG regulations, company procedures, and Texas Railroad Commission requirements; maintain required CNG licensing or certification and support departmental compliance.
Manage, coach, and develop the Cylinder Manufacturing Team Lead, with clear expectations and accountability for floor activities and employees.
Conduct regular one-on-one coaching and development discussions with direct reports.
Participate in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, development, performance management, and corrective action for manufacturing employees.
Manage staffing, overtime, attendance, scheduling, and workforce allocation according to production requirements.
Build a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, urgency, problem solving, integrity, and continuous improvement; address employee concerns with Human Resources when appropriate and develop team bench strength and succession capability.
Establish, maintain, and communicate daily manufacturing performance metrics; monitor safety, quality, production attainment, labor efficiency, scrap and rework, downtime, schedule adherence, and cost.
Lead daily production accountability meetings and ensure actions have owners and completion dates.
Escalate significant risks involving safety, quality, delivery, equipment, staffing, regulatory compliance, or customer commitments to the Director of Cylinder Manufacturing.
Analyze performance trends, constraints, and improvement opportunities; maintain effective visual management and floor-level accountability systems.
Identify and execute improvements in safety, quality, throughput, labor efficiency, material flow, equipment utilization, and manufacturing cost.
Apply Lean manufacturing, 5S, standardized work, root-cause problem solving, and other continuous improvement methods.
Eliminate recurring production disruptions through structured problem solving and corrective action.
Partner with Engineering and Quality on process improvements, new equipment implementation, process validation, and manufacturing changes.
Develop sustainable standard work rather than relying on individual knowledge or informal processes.