Position Overview
The Operations Manager serves as the senior onsite leader of Central Wire's Fond du Lac manufacturing facility, overseeing daily operations across three production shifts (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) and a team of approximately 15 employees. Reporting to the Plant Manager based at our sister facility in Union, Illinois, this position is responsible for ensuring safe, efficient, compliant, and high-quality manufacturing operations while driving improvements in productivity, processes, and team performance.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong operational judgment, technical capability, and the ability to independently manage day-to-day plant activities. The Operations Manager provides onsite leadership and accountability for production, employee performance, safety, chemical management, and operational execution, working closely with the Plant Manager and shared support functions.
The position is responsible for maintaining effective oversight of the facility's complex chemical management requirements, including safe handling, storage, regulatory compliance, and operational controls. The Operations Manager also leads the application of Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen daily management practices, improve communication and handoffs across all three shifts, standardize processes, reduce waste, and drive sustainable improvements in operational performance.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Plant Operations & Production Management
Lead daily manufacturing operations, ensuring production activities are executed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with quality standards, customer requirements, and business priorities.
Direct and coordinate manufacturing operations across 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts, ensuring consistent production priorities, staffing coverage, operating standards, and accountability across the facility.
Serve as the senior onsite leader, providing direction, making day-to-day operational decisions, resolving issues, and escalating significant risks or resource needs to the Plant Manager.
Coordinate production schedules, staffing, equipment availability, materials, and workflow to meet operational commitments.
Monitor key performance indicators, including safety, quality, throughput, schedule attainment, labor efficiency, scrap, downtime, and on-time delivery.
Identify and address production constraints, equipment issues, staffing gaps, and other operational challenges.
Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and other support functions to ensure reliable equipment performance and effective resolution of operational issues.
Maintain accurate production records, operating reports, and performance data to support business decisions and accountability.
Chemical Management, Safety & Environmental Compliance
Provide onsite leadership and operational oversight of the facility's chemical management program, including chemical use, handling, storage, and disposal within the manufacturing process.
Ensure chemicals are properly identified, labeled, stored, handled, and managed in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, company procedures, and established safety practices.
Maintain effective operational controls for chemical inventories, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), chemical compatibility, storage conditions, employee exposure prevention, and waste-handling practices.
Partner with Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) and other technical resources to maintain compliance with applicable OSHA, EPA, Wisconsin DNR, and other relevant requirements.
Ensure employees across all three shifts receive appropriate training and consistently follow required chemical-handling procedures, personal protective equipment requirements, and emergency-response protocols.
Identify and address chemical-related hazards, process risks, spills, near misses, and compliance gaps; coordinate corrective actions and escalate significant concerns…