Job Title: Operations Lead
Location: Kansas City, KS (Position is based on site at company's Kansas City, KS manufacturing facility)
Reports To: Director of Operations
Position Summary
The company is seeking a high-impact Operations Leader to scale and standardize a highperforming, multi-site operation. This position will build the next level of operational excellence across our network, driving consistency, velocity, and customer-centric execution.
Operating at the intersection of distribution, application engineering support, and manufacturing environments (plastics/rubber), this role will ensure the company continues to deliver tailored solutions, trusted service, and performance in the toughest applications.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee all manufacturing functions including, warehousing, distribution, and logistics ensuring production schedules are met with efficiency, quality, and on-time delivery
- Drive manufacturing strategy aligned with the company’s growth and acquisition objectives
- Lead integration efforts for newly acquired manufacturing companies, ensuring alignment of processes, systems, and performance standards
- Implement and sustain Lean, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Optimize production flow, labor utilization, cost structure, and throughput
- Build and standardize scalable manufacturing processes across the organization
- Partner cross-functionally with supply chain, engineering, sales, and leadership teams
- Establish and drive KPI accountability across manufacturing operations
- Lead, develop, and strengthen manufacturing teams, building a high-performance culture
- Identify and implement automation and process improvements
- Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards
Required Qualifications
- Proven experience leading manufacturing operations, ideally in multi-site or growth-oriented environments
- Strong background in manufacturing environments including plastics, rubber molding, and/or die converting
- Demonstrated experience running production schedules and plant operations
- Deep experience in manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, and supply chain logistics
- Hands-on experience with MRP systems (JobBOSS, BILL, or similar platforms required)
- Demonstrated success implementing Lean, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologies
- Six Sigma Black Belt required
- Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence, drive change, and enforce accountability
- Data-driven mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Track record of scaling operations and driving measurable cost savings and servicelevel improvements
- Experience integrating acquisitions and standardizing operations preferred
- Background in process automation and operational technology preferred
- Experience in high-mix, multi-industry manufacturing environments preferred
- Executive level communication and presentation skills
- Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field required.
- Ability to travel approximately 25% (depending on location and integration needs)
- Position is based on site at the company's Kansas City manufacturing facility