Job Overview

In this role, you will lead plant-floor operations for a critical manufacturing area at our Tullahoma site, with primary responsibility for the plastic injection molding department and supporting tooling activities. In this highly visible, on-site leadership role, you will be responsible for building team capability, strengthening accountability, and driving a culture of development within a turnaround environment focused on world-class performance. You will partner closely with plant leadership to shape strategy, execute improvements, and create the conditions for both operational performance and talent growth. This role is ideal for a leader who combines strong manufacturing credibility with a genuine passion for coaching people, solving problems, and leading meaningful change across operations.

What you'll be doing

• Lead day-to-day operations across the plastic injection molding area, with oversight that supports end-to-end departmental performance and coordination with the tooling shop.
• Build, coach, and develop a strong operations team by creating clear expectations, strengthening engagement, and supporting employee growth and career development.

• Drive Lean implementation, process improvements, and plant-floor execution to improve manufacturing performance, stability, and operational discipline.

• Identify and lead opportunities to advance automation, innovation, and process change that improve machine utilization, labor effectiveness, and overall department capability.

• Partner with cross-functional teams across manufacturing, engineering, and quality to solve problems, remove barriers, and implement sustainable operational improvements.

• Translate strategy into action by aligning resources, managing department priorities, and leading change in a way that supports the site’s broader transformation goals.

What we are looking for

• Proven leadership experience in manufacturing operations, with the ability to develop teams, build trust, and create an environment where people can grow and perform.
• Strong background in molding operations, ideally including plastic injection molding, with the credibility to lead in a technically demanding production environment.

• Demonstrated success as a change agent who can bring structure, energy, and accountability to a team while supporting cultural transformation.

• Ability to think strategically and execute effectively—someone who can bring forward ideas, create a plan, and follow through to deliver results.

• Strong problem-solving capability, with the judgment to assess operational issues, engage the right stakeholders, and move improvements forward.
• Leadership style that is hands-on, people-focused, and improvement-minded, with a clear commitment to team development and operational excellence.

What your background should look like

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as engineering or a related discipline; backgrounds in plastics engineering, chemical engineering, or mechanical engineering are especially valued.
• Relevant experience leading operations in a manufacturing environment with direct responsibility for plant-floor execution.
• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing, process implementation, and continuous improvement within production operations.
• Experience in molding-related environments such as plastic injection molding, and exposure to related processes such as blow molding, overmolding, or stamping/die operations is helpful.
• Ability to lead teams through operational change while supporting resource planning, execution, and department performance.
• Experience working closely with technical and production teams to improve processes, support innovation, and strengthen operational results.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to align teams, set direction, and drive follow-through.
• This is an on-site role based in Tullahoma, TN.

#TANAUV #LI-ONSITE

Competencies