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Manufacturing Operations Manager – Knoxville, TN

*This role is looking to hire someone either in Knoxville or within driving distance. Please keep this in mind if you are out of the area.

Join an established Knoxville-area manufacturer in a key leadership position overseeing a fast-paced, three-shift production facility. This role is ideal for an operations leader who enjoys being close to the floor, developing teams, solving production challenges, and improving safety, quality, and overall plant performance.

Compensation & Benefits

• $90,000–$105,000 base salary plus performance-based bonus
• Full-time, on-site leadership position supporting a three-shift operation
• Opportunity to join an established manufacturer focused on continued growth and operational improvement

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing or production operations, including 5+ years leading teams
• Previous experience in a Plant Manager, Operations Manager, Production Manager, or comparable manufacturing leadership role
• Strong understanding of production planning, scheduling, quality, throughput, scrap, rework, and operational KPIs
• Demonstrated success working in high-volume production environments
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with the ability to turn production data into action
• Comfortable maintaining a visible, active presence on the manufacturing floor
• Effective communicator who can establish practical production targets and communicate operational realities to leadership
• Proven ability to manage diverse teams, set expectations, and drive accountability
• Independent, action-oriented leadership style with a willingness to get directly involved when needed

Preferred Experience

• Background in high-volume industries such as rubber or tire products, automotive components, marine or boat manufacturing, or similar production environments
• Exposure to rubber-based products, materials, or related quality requirements is beneficial
• Experience applying Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, or other operational excellence methods

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day manufacturing activities across all three shifts while maintaining strong visibility on the production floor
• Drive safe, reliable, and efficient operation of manufacturing equipment and processes
• Track and improve critical performance indicators, including first-pass yield, scrap, equipment downtime, output, and labor productivity
• Use operational data to diagnose production issues, determine root causes, and implement lasting corrective actions
• Evaluate plant capacity and establish achievable production and performance expectations
• Coach supervisors and employees while creating clear ownership for performance and results
• Partner with quality, maintenance, supply chain, leadership, and other stakeholders to meet production and customer commitments
• Help strengthen processes, systems, and operating discipline as the organization continues developing a more structured corporate operating model

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate will be a hands-on manufacturing leader who combines strong people leadership with a solid understanding of production performance. You should be comfortable moving between the plant floor and operational data, addressing problems quickly, challenging unrealistic expectations when necessary, and building a culture centered on safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.

If you have successfully led demanding manufacturing operations and enjoy turning production challenges into measurable improvements, this position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact within an established Knoxville manufacturing organization.

JOB ID: 182301

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Keith Galloway

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