Operations Manager

Overview of Job

The Operation Leader (Operations Manager) leads and develops the operations side of the organization at the Aiken, SC Plant.  Develop plans to optimize the organization in such a way that the output of operations hits the targets, on all levels, including safety, quality and volumes.

The Operations Leader is an active member of the Plant’s Natural Leadership Team (NLT), providing appropriate support and leadership to the Operations Department of the plant as well as contributing to the development and execution of the overall Plant business strategy and achievement of Plant, Segment, Group or Corporate objectives.

Join an organization that believes that every employee owns a piece of our bold growth goals and ultimate success. We are a market-leading innovator that has placed on the Fortune 500®. Owens Corning is devoted to delivering sustainable solutions across our three business segments while striving to ensure our people and products make the world a better place. We take pride in having an inclusive and diverse workplace with employees around the globe.  A holistic sense of community exists across our entire organization as our talent grows globally. We are a company that fully recognizes the importance of paving a path to a sustainable and safe enterprise through investing in our people. Our desire to make an impactful difference in the world flows from top down to all levels of the organization. By being a company that instills pride within each employee, we aspire to build market-leading businesses; global in scope - human in scale.

Reports to: Plant Leader

Span of Control: 7 Production Supervisors + 1 Manufacturing Leadership Program Professional (MLP)

Safety Leadership

• Live the Safety stand, adhere to the safety responsibilities.
• Effectively communicating Owens Corning’s stand on safety throughout the Operations Department to ensure Production Supervisors and employees believe in and behave in a manner that supports our stand that all accidents are preventable, safety is everyone’s responsibility, and that working safely is a condition of employment at Owens Corning.
• The leader is a key advocate for the EHS TPM Pillar Team and leads the AM TPM Pillar Team to drive continuous improvement in the areas of safety and housekeeping.
• Metrics: RIR, First Aids, Near Misses, SAFE, Critical 6

Provide leadership to ensure product quality

• Partners with peers, Process and Applications engineers, etc. to clearly understand customers’ FFU’s and constantly meet/exceed customer expectations.
• Investing in the growth and development of individuals identified as high potential talent
• Establishing clear and measurable expectations of performance and review commitments to ensure goals are achieved; completing first line leader performance appraisals and coaching employees to develop and execute growth and development plans
• Creating, monitoring and enforcing plant policies in a consistent manner to ensure a positive labor environment
• Actively leading and building effective work teams and committees to increase plant performance and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Focus on Quality Management System & Daily Management System
• Efficiently utilize plant personnel and equipment to maximize productivity and cost effectiveness in meeting plant business plan
• Operate within the fiscal year’s budget
• Contribute to annual and long-term capital planning process and execution
• Lead equipment modifications and improvement projects to improve safety, housekeeping, product quality, productivity and equipment reliability
• Metrics: TPM deployment, Customer Fitness for use (FFU), Quality Assurance, Customer Complaints, CQA Score, Maximize Job Efficiency (JE), Operational Efficiency (OE), Volume (m2), Cost/M2 within standard, % Unplanned Overtime

Executing Strategy and Directing Operations

• Determining organizational objectives and priorities in support of the Plant’s strategy and vision, and for developing teams to deliver results in support of these objectives and priorities; leaving daily tactical direction to Production Supervisors
• Leading a lean culture environment through six sigma processes and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) methodologies
• Assigning and coordinating the work in a manufacturing department to include supervising first line leaders (Production Supervisors) and analyzing productivity performance
• Preparing budgets relative to capital expenditures, manpower, production, and space forecasting in partnership with HR Leader
• Facilitating process improvements through people deployment, productivity enhancements, high performance work teams and being a model for change
• Developing and leading strategic business plans; accountable for delivering plant performance metrics
• Develop and maintain a positive labor/management relationship
• Develop effective and mutually beneficial partnerships with primary workforce continuously improving employee engagement.
• Facilitate successful resolution of conflicts, disputes, grievances
• Metrics: Grievances, turnover, Engagement Level, TPM deployment

Lead Production Supervisors

• Support cultural changes and efforts to move the culture forward in training, employee involvement, hiring standards, evaluations, corrective actions
• Facilitate group involvement and lead group decision-making
• Provide development plans for shift leaders
• Ensure Production Supervisors are competent, united and leading operations as a group
• Metrics: Performance Management – Complete goals and objectives and follow-up and Individual Development Plans completion

Communications

• Provide ongoing operations statistical updates to lead team and employees
• Communicate financial and statistical data in a manner that the employees can understand and use the information to improve operations
• Ensure coordinated communication and direction across all shifts and through leadership
• Metrics: All employees are updated about statistics and plant updates, all employees demonstrate their understanding of operating efficiencies by exercising improved work habits and controls

Job Requirements

• A minimum of 10-15 years’ relevant experience in a production control environment, of which at least half should have been spent in a people leadership role
• Deliver continuous improvement
• Manufacturing background is mandatory
• Bachelor’s degree required, degree in Operations, business or engineering preferred.

Preferred Experience

• TPM experience is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated analytical ability accompanied by knowledge of advanced practices in operations
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret external information such as customer, supplier, competitor, product or technology data and use this to drive business decision-making
• Able to influence and/or lead negotiations, develop/manage the information and communication in discussions effectively and position for a positive solution
• Prior experience in a union environment
• Can think strategically, execute a chosen direction and deliver results
• Knows how to effectively develop business cases and engage leaders at all levels in taking appropriate action
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Lean Certification

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Highly ethical, conducts him-/herself with the highest ethical and moral standards, can be trusted to do the right thing.
• Intelligent, creative, analytical.  Able to interpret and handle complex matters and deal effectively with strategic issues as well as tactical/operational details.
• Results orientated, highly motivated, energetic, resourceful with a strong service orientation.
• Proactive leadership abilities, able to motivate, led by example and encourage teamwork and effective communication
• Broad operating style with an ability to adapt across cultures, environments and styles
• Passionate, charismatic personality, articulate, approachable and friendly

About Owens Corning

Owens Corning is a building products leader committed to building a sustainable future through material innovation. Our products provide durable, sustainable, energy-efficient solutions that leverage our unique capabilities and market-leading positions to help our customers win and grow. We are global in scope, human in scale with approximately 25,000 employees in 31 countries dedicated to generating value for our customers and shareholders and making a difference in the communities where we work and live. Founded in 1938 and based in Toledo, Ohio, USA, Owens Corning posted 2025 sales of $10.1 billion. For more information, visit www.owenscorning.com.

About Owens Corning  

Owens Corning is a residential and commercial building products leader committed to building a sustainable future through material innovation. Our products provide durable, sustainable, energy-efficient solutions that leverage our unique capabilities and market-leading positions to help our customers win and grow. We are global in scope, human in scale with more than 25,000 employees in 31 countries dedicated to generating value for our customers and shareholders and making a difference in the communities where we work and live. Founded in 1938 and based in Toledo, Ohio, USA, Owens Corning posted 2024 sales of $11.0 billion. For more information, visit www.owenscorning.com. 

Owens Corning is an equal opportunity employer. Except in limited circumstances such as formal apprenticeship programs, Owens Corning does not employ anyone under the age of 18.