Operations Manager

Owens Corning is investing in excess of $200 million to transform our Kansas City Fiberglass Insulation Plant—adding jobs, expanding capabilities, and shaping the future of manufacturing at a facility that has been a cornerstone of building products production for 80 years. We’re looking for a Complex Leader who thrives on challenges, inspires teams, and delivers results that matter.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The purpose of the Complex Leader is to drive plant performance through managing safety, environment, talent, costs, and quality within the respective area that he/she is assigned to. The Complex Leader is accountable for providing support for our 24/7 manufacturing operation, shift leaders and associated processes. In addition, the individual in this position helps to implement organizational strategies, standards, and practices enrolling employees to achieve the Plant’s business strategy and deliver results.

Reports to: Operations Leader

What You’ll Do 

Live the Safety Stand

• Ensure a safe work environment through strict adherence to OC safety policies and procedures
• Drive continuous improvement in the areas of safety and housekeeping
• Know and communicate safety message with focus on developing zero injury culture
• Support safety readiness and operational safety efforts connected to layout/design and operational procedures (e.g., safe job changeover protocols, defined walkways/zones, and movement/traffic patterns) as applicable to line operation for the K6 line

Manage Operations

• Identify and drive continuous improvement efforts through standardized work to improve cost, grow year-over-year productivity and reduce quality related issues for our customers
• Set clear and measurable performance expectations, in line with plant goals; communicating and ensuring results are achieved for self and direct reports
• Proactively analyzes and manages all relative operations performance metrics making improvements to efficiencies, quality and cost
• Assign and coordinate work in a manufacturing department to include supporting first line leaders
• Operate with zero environmental non-conformities to applicable company, government, and regulatory policies
• Ensure the quality systems are utilized to provide a consistent product that meets manufacturing specifications
• Ensure effective deployment of employee/labor relations practices (building strong partnership)
• Ensure necessary resources are provided to area of responsibility such as manpower or technical expertise
• Identify, develop, and implement standards to reduce loss
• Help create define staffing standards and people processes on a never before built, state of the art, manufacturing line
• Redefine how we manage our people, processes, and equipment with real time data to drive everyday success in safety and productivity
• Assist with establishing and sustaining operating standards and control strategies that maintain stability across product families and operating conditions

Talent Development & Employee Relations

• Establish an engaged workforce characterized by mutual trust, open communications, teamwork, and recognition
• Support and sustain a culture where talent is developed through effective performance management, talent evaluation and utilization of people
• Maintain documentation, track, counsel and execute coaching and corrective action when performance issues occur
• Ensure workforce is trained & certified to the respective job duties assigned

Customer

• Partner with peers, manufacturing engineers, process engineers, etc.  to clearly understand process and customers FFUs so Kansas City can meet/exceed customer expectations

What We’re Looking For / Job Requirements 

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3+ years of manufacturing experience with a proven track record of delivering sustainable results
• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or related discipline required
• Experience leading people in a complex manufacturing environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading in a Union environment
• Strong willingness to relocate in the future with OC
• TPM experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Business and financial acumen
• Ability to compile and utilize data and/or Six Sigma methods for problem-solving and decision-making to eliminate manufacturing losses and unnecessary costs
• Creating and implementing strategic and operations plans
• Leading and motivating peers, direct reports and primary workforce 
• Effective with verbal and written communication
• Ability to lead cross functional teams to a common goal of continuous improvement
• Ability to create actionable plans when given ambiguous objectives
• Strong leadership competencies (Attention to detail, Sense of Urgency, Strong Execution, Initiative, Self Starter, ability to simplify complex issues)

Candidates must be able to meet the physical and environmental requirements of working in a manufacturing setting at Owens Corning. This includes supporting a 24/7, fast-paced, and ever-changing environment in a non-climate-controlled facility. Essential physical capabilities include but aren’t limited to the ability to lift up to 40 pounds, maneuver up and down stairs, and perform continuous standing, lifting, bending, and other physically demanding tasks.

Why Owens Corning?

• Be part of a $200M state-of-the-art transformation that will help shape the future of manufacturing in Kansas City.
• Lead in a plant with a proud 80-year history and a bold future.
• Join a global building products leader committed to innovation, sustainability, and being a strong community partner.

Experience a culture that prioritizes people and progress, grounded in values of caring, curiosity, collaboration, and commitment.

A bright future for Kansas City

In 2024, Owens Corning announced a major investment in a new fiberglass insulation production line at our Kansas City manufacturing facility. Scheduled to come online in 2027, this expansion strengthens our U.S. fiberglass insulation network and adds versatile capabilities for both residential and non-residential applications. The new line incorporates advanced technology to drive improvements in product quality, consistency, innovation, and sustainability. This investment underscores our commitment to serving customers, reinforcing our leadership in the market, and supporting economic growth in the Kansas City community.  

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.