Operations Manager

Join our vertically integrated team at MAT Holdings, Inc., a leading global manufacturer with a 40-year history. We're proud to provide employment opportunities for more than 14,000 employees across 12 countries. Headquartered in Long Grove, Illinois, we have over 40 factories on three continents, including 2.1 million square feet of U.S. distribution and manufacturing space.

You will find our products in home improvement centers, big box retailers, hardware stores and automotive chains. They're in the cars you drive, the trailers you tow, and the heavy-duty machinery you operate.

MAT can maintain consistent expertise and solutions across the entire supply chain. We’re experts in engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, logistics and distribution, marketing, design, and customer service — we don't just make it happen, we ensure it happens with excellence.

We’re more than manufacturing, we’re MAT.

Benefits

• MAT Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries offer a complete benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance after 60 days of employment
• Paid Time Off (PTO), including paid vacation, sick days, and paid holidays
• 401k Retirement Plan + Company Match
• Career Advancement Program, training and development
• Wellness Programs, including fitness reimbursements and mental health support
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Voluntary Life / AD&D , Employer Provided Life/AD&D
• and More

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Operations Manager to lead our manufacturing team in achieving production excellence. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing a team of supervisors to ensure the timely production of merchandise while adhering to safety, quality, and cost standards. This role involves developing and implementing strategies to enhance productivity, establish key performance indicators, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

The Operations Manager will promote a strong safety culture, monitor production processes, and proactively address challenges to meet operational goals. This position requires effective communication with upper management and collaboration with cross-functional teams, including sales and shipping, to ensure alignment with market demands and production schedules. The successful candidate will have a proven track record in facility operations, budgeting, and leadership within a manufacturing environment, alongside a strong understanding of Lean principles and Six Sigma methodologies.

Principle Responsibilities

• Manage a staff of supervisors to ensure timely production of merchandise, to meet key requirements related to safety, service levels, cost, and quality.
• Develop and implement methods to improve productivity within established payroll and expense budgets.
• Plan and execute strategies that support production objectives through leadership of cross-functional teams
• Promote employee development through effective verbal and written communications, cross-training skills, and appropriate use of teams to support problem solving and continuous improvement.
• Monitor production, anticipate and solve problems on time, and identify opportunities for improvement to meet production goals.
• Establish and maintain KPI’s to measure plant performance.
• Identify and lead projects and kaizen events supporting continuous improvement of the value stream.
• Cultivate and promote a strong safety culture and follow all safety policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Identify and communicate workplace hazards and correct or seek assistance in correcting unsafe actions or conditions.
• Communicate daily with upper management regarding problems or issues impacting production.
• Evaluate machine resources to ensure continued production and minimal downtime.
• Recommend and implement improvements to production capability, tooling, and machine replacement through CapEx projects.
• Coordinate and facilitate activities that respond to customer and market needs by working with Sales/Marketing.
• Establish a balance between increased productivity and reduced costs of manufacturing operations.
• Set productivity and project goals for each manufacturing supervisor.
• Develop workflow policies and procedures that improve efficiency without compromising safety or quality.
• Ensure staffing levels are maintained based on workload.
• Oversee the Production Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and ensure that implementation dates are met.
• Work closely with the Shipping team to make sure there is communication as to when the product will be ready, to ensure we are shipping promptly.
• Conduct daily meetings with the production supervisors, scheduling, and warehouse to make sure everyone agrees with the daily plan.
• Drive cost reduction/continuous improvement projects.
• Direct training as needed for the team regarding policies, procedures, product, etc.

Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication, leadership, computer, and a high degree of managerial ability to accomplish objectives while maintaining control of operations and costs.
• Understanding of Lean Principles and Six Sigma application and usage.

• Demonstrated coaching skills, accurately identifying strengths and development needs in others; giving clear, motivating, and constructive feedback; and providing challenging assignments and opportunities for development.
• Proven ability to implement and execute programs in support of corporate strategy

• Problem solving and analysis, careful and systematic evaluation of information, possible alternatives, and consequences
• Understanding of the manufacturing processes and procedures
• Ability to influence and shape the decisions of others and to work through issues or conflicts to create
• Fosters Open Communication by promoting open discussion of ideas, providing others with open access to information, and listening willingly to input and concerns.
• Makes sound decisions in a timely and confident manner
• Proven interpersonal skills in motivating, problem-solving, counseling, evaluating, and training team members

Education/Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum 3 -5 years of experience managing in a manufacturing environment
• Experience with sales-related software applications, such as SAP, preferred
• Excellent analytical skills
• Knowledge of SAP or a similar ERP system is required.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.