Plant Operations Manager

Colgate • Cambridge, OH

3d • $124,000 - $174,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name! Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all. The Plant Operations Manager is responsible for the holistic management of all production operations within the facility, including packaging, filling, and vertical integration. This role serves as a critical bridge between site leadership and shop-floor execution. You will drive world-class manufacturing standards through the development of high-performing work teams, strategic resource utilization, and a relentless focus on continuous improvement and safety.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical field
• 8+ years of progressive experience in Supply Chain/Manufacturing, with at least 8 years in a management role
• 5+ years of experience with SAP or similar Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
• Deep understanding of EHS standards and experience working in regulated environments (FDA, EPA, OSHA)
• Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication, with the ability to simplify complex operational data for key stakeholders

Nice To Haves

• MBA or a Master’s in an Engineering or Technical field
• Six Sigma Black Belt or Lean Manufacturing certification
• Familiarity with Wonderware, Opera, or similar SCADA/MES systems
• Experience in P&L management and/or working within a unionized manufacturing environment
• Mastery of ISO 9000 and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)

Responsibilities

• Lead all plant operations to achieve and exceed KPIs in EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety), Quality, Productivity and Efficiency.
• Develop and execute strategic procedures to increase facility-wide productivity and on-time delivery to customers.
• Facilitate strategic change management and develop robust contingency plans to ensure business continuity in volatile environments.
• Develop and implement sustainability processes based on lean manufacturing principles for long term plant success
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce conversion costs, optimize capital/inventory, reduce scrap cost and improve overall factory cash flow.
• Implement and sustain FP&R (Factory Performance & Reliability) standards, with a specific focus on Autonomous Maintenance, Visual Workplace, and 5S.
• Manage department budgets and provide input into P&L management to ensure site profitability.
• Foster a culture of accountability, respect, and safety-first thinking.
• Lead the training & development of both salaried and front-line employees.
• Provide active coaching and feedback to build a highly motivated, multi-skilled workforce capable of self-directed leadership.
• Develop and mentor future leaders of the company
• Recommend and implement organizational structure changes based on technology and business changes.
• Cultivate a 'Lean-First' environment where front-line autonomy is driven by data-based decision-making and a shared commitment to standardized work and operational excellence.
• Serve as the primary business partner for the facility, collaborating with Engineering, Planning & Logistics, Human Resources, Finance, and Quality.
• Ensure flawless execution of new product launches (formulations and packaging) by aligning manufacturing strategies with corporate R&D and Marketing goals.
• Collaborate with Human Resources to manage employee relations and, where applicable, maintain productive labor relations.

Benefits

• Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements.
• Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year).
• Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.

What This Job Offers

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