Plastics Operations Manager

At Klein Tools, curiosity powers discovery, ownership inspires excellence, and urgency means we run towards opportunities. We deliver quality and innovation in everything we do, designing and launching hundreds of groundbreaking products each year. Join us and be part of a legacy built to last.

Perks for you include:

• Paid Vacations & Holidays
• Profit Sharing & Matching 401(k)
• Health Insurance (Medical, Vision, & Dental)
• Discounts on Klein Tools products
• Education and Professional Development Assistance

Lead a Growing Plastics Manufacturing Operation and Drive Operational Excellence!

At Klein Tools, we're looking for an experienced Plastics Operations Manager to lead a critical manufacturing operation and help drive the future of our plastics business. This is a high-impact leadership role overseeing a multi-shift, 24/7 manufacturing environment with approximately 100 employees, and responsibility for safety, quality, delivery, reliability, and profitability.

If you're a strategic manufacturing leader with plastics experience who thrives on building high-performing teams, improving processes, and delivering results, we'd like to hear from you!

Why Klein Tools?

• Opportunity to lead a growing plastics manufacturing operation
• Make a direct impact on safety, quality, productivity, and profitability
• Partner with Engineering and Product Development on new product launches
• Influence plant strategy and continuous improvement initiatives
• Develop and mentor future manufacturing leaders
• Join a company with a reputation for quality, innovation, and operational excellence

What You'll Do

As the Plastics Operations Manager, you'll provide leadership across multiple departments while driving operational performance, employee engagement, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

✅ Champion a culture of Zero Injuries and ensure all safety standards and loss prevention initiatives are consistently met.

✅ Lead plastics manufacturing operations to ensure products meet or exceed Klein Tools' quality expectations while minimizing scrap and rework.

✅ Drive production efficiency by identifying and eliminating bottlenecks, improving throughput, and achieving fill-rate and customer service objectives.

✅ Oversee equipment maintenance and asset reliability programs to maximize uptime, efficiency, and equipment life.

✅ Develop and implement strategies that support long-term operational excellence and sustainable growth.

✅ Foster a highly engaged workforce through leadership, coaching, employee development, and a safe, organized work environment.

✅ Build and maintain succession plans for salaried leaders and key hourly team members to ensure organizational continuity.

✅ Partner with supervisors to develop annual budgets, labor standards, staffing plans, and cost-control initiatives.

✅ Collaborate with Product Development and Engineering teams to successfully launch new products and support business growth.

✅ Lead hiring, employee development, performance management, succession planning, and other workforce initiatives in partnership with Human Resources.

✅ Drive a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence throughout the organization.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Operations, Engineering, Business, Manufacturing, or a related field
• 5+ years of leadership experience in plastics manufacturing operations
• 3+ years of plastics manufacturing experience
• 3+ years of supervisory or management experience
• Experience leading multi-shift manufacturing teams
• Strong understanding of manufacturing metrics, production planning, quality systems, and continuous improvement
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field
• Greenfield startup or facility expansion experience
• Experience leading large-scale plastics manufacturing operations
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Operational Excellence experience

Leadership Attributes

• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop teams
• Strong financial and business acumen
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Effective conflict resolution and negotiation abilities
• Strong organizational and decision-making capabilities
• Results-driven mindset with a focus on safety, quality, service, and profitability

Your main focus:

• Quality
• Customer Obsession
• Innovation
• Ownership
• Teamwork

Klein Tools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. For candidates with disabilities and needing assistance, please email us at [email protected].