Plant Operations Manager – Mass Customization Manufacturing

Plant Manager – Mass Customization Manufacturing - High Growth Company

Why you should be interested in this role:

This Plant Operations Manager role is a hands-on leadership opportunity within a small, fast-moving mass customization manufacturing environment
, where success is driven by people development, operational flexibility, and disciplined daily execution
.

This is not a desk role and not a multi-site oversight position. It is designed for a leader who enjoys being on the floor, developing supervisors, solving real problems in real time, and building operating discipline where structure is still maturing.

You will work closely with the company’s senior leadership team and have direct influence over how the operation runs each day. If you believe strong operations are built by developing line leaders, installing clear expectations, and leveraging Lean leadership behaviors
, this role offers both challenge and impact.

R
OLE CTQs (Critical to Quality):

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or Business preferred
• 8–15 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience
• Prior experience as an Operations Manager, or Senior Production Manager
• Proven success in high-mix, short-cycle, on-demand, or configure-to-order manufacturing environments
• Demonstrated ability to develop front-line supervisors and team leads
• Strong background in Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement leadership
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without employer sponsorship

Company:

Confidential

Position:

Location:

Knoxville, TN (On-Site)

Reporting:

Senior Operations Leadership / Company President

Compensation:

Competitive base compensation with performance-based bonus

Relocation:

Local candidates preferred; limited relocation assistance may be considered

Company Profile:

Our client is a privately held company operating in the mass customization product space
, producing highly configured, customer-specific products in a high-mix, fast-turn environment. The operation requires flexibility, discipline, and strong leadership at the line level to consistently meet customer commitments.

Position Description and Responsibilities:

The Plant Manager has full responsibility for the day-to-day performance of the manufacturing operation
, with accountability for service, quality, cost, safety, and delivery
. This role is highly hands-on and requires daily presence on the production floor.

Line Leadership Development (Primary Focus)

• Build, coach, and develop front-line supervisors and team leads
• Establish clear expectations for daily execution, problem escalation, and accountability
• Implement leader standard work, tiered accountability, and daily management routines
• Strengthen leadership depth to reduce dependency on individual heroics

Operational Flexibility & Execution

• Improve operational flexibility through cross-training, staffing models, and stable processes
• Balance changing customer demand with throughput, quality, and on-time delivery
• Manage daily scheduling, capacity planning, and workflow coordination
• Track and respond to performance using visual management and clear KPIs
• Lead Lean as a leadership system, not a toolbox
• Drive structured problem-solving, standard work, and continuous improvement
• Improve productivity, quality, and cost through sustainable Lean practices
• Support automation and process improvements with clear ROI and practicality

Plant & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with Customer Service, Sales, and Logistics to meet customer commitments
• Own daily labor management, staffing decisions, and overtime control
• Maintain a safe, organized, and disciplined production environment
• Serve as a visible leader who sets the tone for accountability and teamwork

Position Critical to Quality + Success (CTQ+S):
Technical Requirements:

• Strong working knowledge of Lean tools and daily management systems
• Experience improving service levels, productivity, and quality simultaneously
• Solid understanding of labor-driven cost structures and operational metrics
• Comfortable using standard business tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Position Critical to Quality + Success (CTQ+S):
Leadership / Behavioral Requirements:

• Leads from the floor, not from reports
• Develops people intentionally and consistently
• Comfortable making decisions in fast-moving, imperfect environments
• Holds supervisors accountable while supporting their growth
• Direct, clear communicator who builds trust through consistency
• High-energy, hands-on leadership style

This role is not for someone who:

• Prefers managing through emails and meetings
• Avoids developing supervisors and team leads
• Relies on firefighting instead of building systems
• Needs a large staff or corporate infrastructure to be effecti