Unit Manager

Unit Manager – Manufacturing (On-site, Clarksville, TN)

Type:
Full-time
•
Reports to:
Plant Leadership

Mission:
Lead a production unit to deliver
safe, high-quality output
—on time, on budget—while driving continuous improvement across people, process, and equipment.

What You'll Do

• Champion "Safety Always"
  and a 5S workplace; model consistent up/down/across communication and CI as a daily habit.
• Own the shift plan:
  allocate people/materials to meet throughput, cost, and quality targets; remove roadblocks in real time.
• Stabilize & improve:
  maintain standard conditions, surface gaps fast, and execute improvements to boost OEE, cut scrap/downtime.
• Compliance & readiness:
  enforce SOPs, PPE, and regulatory requirements; prep the unit for audits/inspections.
• CI toolkit:
  analyze data, run root-cause (5 Whys, fishbone), and lock in permanent fixes; increase equipment uptime with TPM/PM.
• Maintenance partnership:
  prioritize PMs and coordinate with Maintenance to protect asset health and availability.
• Visual management:
  drive daily use of Team Boards; ensure the team owns KPIs and corrective actions.
• People leadership:
  set expectations, coach, and hold the team accountable; conduct performance reviews and act quickly on gaps.
• Reporting & cadence:
  publish daily safety/quality/cost updates; ensure everyone knows status and next actions.
• Cost control:
  manage departmental budget and lead savings initiatives.
• Collaboration:
  ensure tight handoffs with internal suppliers/customers across the value stream.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree (required)
  ; preferred in
  Engineering/Technical
  (Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial).
• 5+ years
  in manufacturing with leadership/project/engineering experience in high-volume environments (tire/building products/automotive a plus).
• Solid grasp of
  production methods, quality systems, and cost drivers
  ; working knowledge of predictive/preventive maintenance.
• Proven
  critical thinking
  , data fluency, and decision-making under pressure.
• Clear, proactive communicator with strong documentation and follow-through.
• English proficiency
  (written & spoken).

Nice to Have

• Advanced degree (MBA/technical).
• Experience with
  TPM, SMED, SPC, Kaizen
  , and layered process audits.
• Familiarity with OEE dashboards/MES/ERP.

Physical Requirements

Frequently move through plant/office areas (including stairs); remain stationary ~50% when needed; operate computers/office equipment; occasionally move items up to 25 lbs.

Why Join

• Lead a critical production unit with real impact on safety, quality, and cost
• Culture of continuous improvement and career growth
• Competitive pay/benefits (DOE)