Lean Operations Manager

Company Overview
Join a dynamic company renowned for its innovation and commitment to excellence in outdoor adventure products. With a rich history of pioneering design and performance, the organization continually strives to elevate the experience of outdoor enthusiasts worldwide.

Job Overview

Position Summary

We are seeking a seasoned mid-level Production Manager to lead our manufacturing operations. As we continue to scale, we recognize the need to professionalize our processes and develop the next generation of leadership.

This role is critical for two reasons: Operational Excellence and Talent Development. You will be responsible for introducing and sustaining world-class manufacturing standards (ISO 9001-like, 5S, Kanban) into our existing environment. Equally important, you will be tasked with "building the bench" mentoring, coaching, and developing our current supervisors and leads to bridge the gap between home-grown talent and industry best practices.

Key Objectives

• Process Professionalization: Transition the production floor from "tribal knowledge" to documented, standard work based on ISO and Lean principles.
• Bench Strength Creation: Actively mentoring internal staff, identifying high-potential employees, and creating a succession pipeline for key leadership roles.
• Operational Stability: Ensure the lines meet production targets for safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

Specific Responsibilities:

1. Leadership & Bench Development

· Build the "Bench": Assess the current skills of supervisors and team leaders. Create and execute individual development plans (IDPs) to prepare them for higher-level responsibilities.

· Mentorship: Act as a player-coach, teaching "the why" behind management decisions. Move the team from reactive firefighting to proactive planning.

· Culture Change: Lead by example to instill a culture of accountability and continuous improvement without alienating long-tenured employees. Bridge the gap between legacy practices and modern manufacturing standards.

2. Lean Manufacturing & ISO Implementation

· Standardization: Lead the implementation and maintenance of ISO 9001-like standards within the department. Ensure all processes are documented, audited, and compliant.

· Inventory & Flow (Kanban): Implement and optimize Kanban systems to reduce work-in-progress (WIP), minimize waste, and ensure just-in-time material availability.

· Develop, implement, and sustain Lean systems including 5S, visual management, standard work, Tier meetings, TPM basics, Kanban, and waste elimination.

· Facilitate or participate in comprehensive Lean assessments covering safety, flow, takt alignment, skill matrix, quality at the source, and material movement.

· Analyze operational data (OEE, scrap, labor productivity, schedule attainment, WIP levels) to drive performance improvements.

· Coach leads and frontline employees on Lean principles using hands-on teaching, Gemba walks, and structured problem-solving.

· Partner with Quality, Maintenance, Materials, and Engineering to strengthen process capability and reliability.

· Improve communication flow by standardizing visual boards, production meetings, and escalation processes.

· Support strategy deployment (Hoshin), KPI development, and execution of improvement roadmaps.

3. Operational Management Oversee daily operations of the production lines to ensure on-time delivery and quality targets are met.

· Analyze production metrics (OEE, scrap rates, downtime) and use data to drive decision-making.

· Collaborate with Planning, Engineering, and Quality departments to resolve bottlenecks immediately.

Qualifications:

· 5+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing management (Supervisor, Superintendent, or Production Manager level) with emphasis in Plastics manufacturing.

· External Perspective: Must have prior experience working in a mature Lean Manufacturing environment (Toyota Production System, GE, Danaher, etc.).

· Proven "Bench Builder": Demonstrated history of hiring, training, and—most importantly—promoted staff from within. Be prepared to share examples of people you have developed.

• Lean certification (LSS Green Belt or higher).
• Experience supporting automation, machining, fabrication, or assembly environments.

Technical Skills:

• 5+ years of manufacturing leadership experience with direct supervision of leads or supervisors.
• Demonstrated success implementing Lean tools with measurable results—lead time reduction, scrap reduction, improved OEE, increased throughput, etc.
• Strong working knowledge of value stream mapping, 5S, standard work, PDCA/A3, takt time planning, and basic S&OP concepts.
• Proven ability to participate in or lead structured Lean assessments and turn findings into action plans.

· Excellent communication and coaching skills; strong presence at the Gemba

· ERP/MRP: Proficiency with manufacturing software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) for production planning and inventory control.

• Strong working knowledge of value stream mapping, 5S, standard work, PDCA/A3, takt time planning, and basic S&OP concepts.

Soft Skills:

· Emotional Intelligence: The ability to navigate a "home-grown" environment. You must be able to respect the history of the company while firmly guiding it toward a more structured future.

· Teacher Mindset: You enjoy explaining concepts and watching others grow, rather than just giving orders.

· Tech Savvy

o Experienced with CRM type systems, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google sheets,

· People Person

• Team Player
• Have a good sense of humor and be generally upbeat

o Excellent Oral, written, and in-person communication skills. must possess diplomacy and tact.

· Driven and Self-motivated

· Ability to work under pressure with limited resources, completing priorities and deadlines

• Attention to detail; accurate with numbers

· Organized and orderly

• Able to multitask
• Reliable

· Honest. Must keep company information confidential

• Ability to listen and present solutions to customer's business problems.

· Demonstrate problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify issues and propose solutions

• Enjoy tackling challenges and solving problems

· Able to lift 50lbs consistently for events and shows

Skills and Experience Preferred:

• Work experience in the outdoor market helpful
• Experience in a plastics manufacturing setting
• Strong Computer skills are a must

Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to be able to view a computer screen.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is typically low

Company Support:

· Salaried Exempt Position- full time

· Paid Vacation up to 2 weeks, including 8 major holidays set by the company

· AETNA Health Insurance with subsidy by Jackson Kayak

o 100% employer subsidy on select medical plans after 2 years of employment

· Optional 401K with employer matching after 6 months of employment

· Employee Discount for all Jackson Products and opportunity for industry discount deals from other manufacturers

· Free product rentals and employer-led classes.

We are seeking an energetic and strategic Lean Operations Manager to lead process improvement initiatives, optimize operational efficiency, and drive business growth. This role offers an exciting opportunity to influence company performance through leadership, management, and strategic planning, ensuring that our operations align with our mission of delivering top-tier outdoor products.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of lean manufacturing and operational strategies to enhance productivity and reduce waste.
• Manage cross-functional teams to execute process improvement projects that increase efficiency and quality.
• Oversee daily operations, supervising staff to ensure adherence to safety standards, quality controls, and production schedules.
• Drive business development efforts by identifying new opportunities for operational expansion and efficiency gains.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to profit & loss, sales, and overall operational performance.
• Collaborate with leadership to establish strategic plans that support long-term growth objectives.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources effectively to ensure successful execution of initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven management experience with a strong background in supervising teams within a manufacturing or operations environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, process improvement methodologies (such as Lean or Six Sigma), and project management.
• Solid understanding of profit & loss management, business development, and sales strategies.
• Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to motivate teams and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Experience overseeing business operations with a focus on optimizing processes for maximum efficiency and profitability.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly across all levels of the organization. This role is perfect for a proactive leader eager to make a tangible impact by streamlining operations, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable growth in a vibrant outdoor products company.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $83, $104,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending