Duties/Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute operational plans that achieve daily and long-term goals for safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress and drive accountability across all operational areas.
- Foster a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with OSHA and internal safety standards.
- Drive operational excellence through clear communication, robust systems, and effective problem-solving, thereby strengthening engagement and morale.
- Oversee production scheduling, workflow, and equipment utilization to meet customer expectations and business needs.
- Identify and prioritize improvement opportunities that increase efficiency, reduce waste, and strengthen processes.
- Partner with Finance, HR, and Sales to align budgets, staffing, and capacity planning with business objectives.
- Translate company goals into actionable operational strategies with clear milestones and shared accountability.
- Ensure operations and quality systems comply with IATF 16949, customer requirements, and industry standards while maintaining audit readiness and driving continual improvement.
- Promote a culture of ownership, transparency, and accountability through Open-Book Management and the Great Game of Business.
- Partner with directors and supervisors across departments to strengthen alignment and drive collaboration.
- Complete other assignments as directed by the CEO.
Leadership Functions:
- Champion Organizational Culture: Promote and model Fastco’s core values, purpose, and vision to align teams and foster a strong, cohesive culture.
- Drive Strategic Operational Standards: Define, implement, and enhance operational best practices that align with company goals and support long-term success.
- Provide Visionary Leadership and Support: Offer strategic guidance and support to direct and indirect reports, developing leadership at all levels.
- Lead Talent Strategy: Oversee departmental hiring, onboarding, and workforce development to attract and retain high-performing talent.
- Cultivate High Performance and Accountability: Set clear expectations for conduct and performance, and uphold a results-driven, improvement-focused environment.
- Oversee Training and Compliance Programs: Design and maintain training systems to ensure alignment with performance, safety, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Skills/Experience/Education Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- 5-10+ years of progressive operations leadership experience in manufacturing.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and improve performance through clear systems and communication.
- Demonstrated communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills; able to influence and align across all departments.
- Strong understanding of production, scheduling, logistics, and manufacturing processes.
- Proficiency with ERP systems (PLEX preferred) and Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook).
- Experience applying Lean manufacturing principles to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
- Experience leading within an ISO-certified environment, IATF 16949 preferred.
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Frequent presence on the manufacturing floor.
