Overview
We are seeking a strategic, hands-on, and results-driven Business Unit Manager – Finishing Operations to lead and optimize our finishing operations and support functions, including the Parts Store department. This role is responsible for the overall performance, leadership, and continuous improvement of the finishing business unit, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective manufacturing operations that support customer requirements and company objectives.
The Business Unit Manager will provide operational leadership across all finishing processes, including pretreatment, powder coating, curing, inspection, paint line operations, assembly support, and parts inventory management. This individual will develop and execute strategies that improve productivity, reduce waste, increase capacity, improve inventory accuracy, and build a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and operational excellence.
This position requires a strong manufacturing leader who can balance strategic planning with hands-on operational execution while partnering with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Production, and other functional teams to achieve business goals.
Essential Responsibilities
- Lead all finishing operations, including production planning, scheduling, workflow execution, staffing, and daily manufacturing activities to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
- Provide strategic leadership and operational direction for the finishing business unit, ensuring alignment with overall company goals and manufacturing strategies.
- Manage daily paint line operations, including pretreatment, powder coating, curing, inspection, and finishing processes for steel products.
- Ensure proper execution of powder coating processes, including coating thickness, color consistency, finish appearance, and quality standards.
- Oversee finishing equipment performance, including powder coating systems, spray booths, ovens, conveyors, wash systems, and related manufacturing equipment.
- Lead and support the Parts Store department by ensuring accurate inventory control, efficient material flow, proper storage practices, and timely availability of parts and materials to support production requirements.
- Partner with Purchasing, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and Production teams to maintain inventory accuracy, reduce shortages, and improve material availability.
- Develop and implement processes to improve inventory management, reduce excess inventory, and optimize storage and material handling practices.
- Develop and manage operating plans, budgets, staffing strategies, and resource requirements to support business objectives.
- Establish, monitor, and improve key performance indicators (KPIs), including safety, quality, productivity, labor efficiency, throughput, downtime, scrap, rework, inventory accuracy, material availability, and on-time delivery.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma principles, and structured problem-solving methodologies to improve processes and eliminate waste.
- Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, team leaders, and production employees to create a high-performing, accountable, and engaged workforce.
- Build a culture focused on safety, quality, teamwork, ownership, and continuous improvement.
- Partner with Quality to maintain process controls, improve product quality, address root causes, and implement corrective actions.
- Collaborate with Engineering and Maintenance to improve equipment reliability, process capability, automation opportunities, and production capacity.
- Oversee equipment maintenance activities and capital improvement recommendations.
- Manage production capacity, labor utilization, material flow, inventory levels, and operational constraints to maximize efficiency and support customer demand.
- Track production metrics, labor efficiency, scrap, departmental costs, inventory performance, and operating expenses.
- Utilize ERP/MRP systems, SAP, production reporting tools, and Microsoft Excel analytics to monitor performance, identify trends, and support data-driven decision-making.
- Review operational results, identify improvement opportunities, and implement sustainable solutions that improve business performance.
- Support employee recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management, and succession planning.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA requirements, company safety policies, environmental standards, and quality systems.
- Promote strong cross-functional communication and collaboration throughout the organization.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, Business, Supply Chain, or related field preferred; equivalent manufacturing leadership experience considered.
- 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, preferably within metal fabrication, finishing, coating, assembly, inventory, or industrial manufacturing environments.
- Proven experience leading production teams and managing complex manufacturing operations.
- Experience managing or supporting inventory, material flow, or parts management functions preferred.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production planning, scheduling, labor management, inventory control, and cost management.
- Experience with industrial powder coating, paint finishing systems, surface preparation, curing processes, or similar finishing operations preferred.
- Demonstrated success implementing Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence initiatives.
- Experience managing budgets, resources, and improvement projects.
- Strong analytical skills with experience using ERP/MRP systems, SAP, and Microsoft Excel for reporting and decision-making.
- Ability to interpret manufacturing data, identify opportunities, and implement effective solutions.
- Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Lean Six Sigma certification or demonstrated experience applying Lean methodologies.
- Experience with powder coating, paint finishing systems, and industrial coating processes.
- Experience with inventory management, parts stores, material control, or warehouse operations.
- Experience with capital planning, equipment improvements, and manufacturing automation.
- Experience developing frontline leaders and building high-performing teams.
- Strong background in safety programs, quality systems, inventory accuracy, and operational performance management.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
