Associate Operations Manager
Work Mode: Onsite, Juarez Nuevo León
Location: Juarez, Nuevo León
Opportunity
Under the direction of the Plant Manager, this role leads and steers the activities of General Supervisors across multiple shifts within a single production department to ensure the effective, timely, and cost-efficient manufacturing of quality products that meet established processes, technical specifications, and safety standards. The role coordinates production operations, establishes and maintains production schedules within budgets and procedures, monitors performance indicators (variance, production, quality, injury reports), and enforces compliance with safety rules and regulatory requirements. It also guides supervisors on contract interpretation and policy adherence, partners with cross-functional teams, and contributes to continuous improvement and operational excellence
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Coordinate the efforts of general supervisors and foremen through daily/weekly productivity and production reports to maximize efficiency while maintaining quality standards.
Plan and maintain department production schedules within established procedures and approved budgets; set sequence of production and determine the need for overtime or extra shifts.
Monitor production runs to ensure adherence to schedule; identify bottlenecks and correct issues in real time using systematic problem-solving methods.
Coordinate resolution of production issues with plant service areas (e.g., Maintenance, Engineering, Materials, Quality) and ensure optimal material availability and equipment readiness.
Determine appropriate equipment/machinery usage and ensure preventive maintenance and proper operating procedures are followed through review of downtime, parts usage, and visual inspection.
Monitor raw material performance via in-process inspections; drive corrective actions to sustain quality standards; inspect finished-product samples and analyze defects to address quality control problems.
Track and report on established KPIs, including variance, production, quality, and injury metrics; prepare and coordinate completion of operational and analytics reports.
Ensure compliance with safety rules, HSE procedures, and regulatory requirements; identify risky behaviors/patterns, implement corrective actions, and escalate serious issues as needed.
Guide general supervisors on union contract interpretation, compliance with company policies, and adherence to quality control standards.
Promote continuous quality improvement and operational excellence); establish measures to drive best yield and throughput.
Partner with Materials to maintain optimal inventory levels and with Maintenance to uphold equipment safety systems and interlocks.
Analyze field claims/returns, determine root cause, and initiate corrective actions with supervision.
Ensure adherence to the quality management system (e.g., ISO 9001) and plant procedures.
Support capability building: identify team development needs, provide coaching/training, and hold teams accountable for performance objectives.
Comply with the Health and Safety Roles and Responsibilities established for this position (See Responsibilities chart by position).
SPECIFIC AUTHORITIES
Deliver production, quality, and safety objectives; identify improvement opportunities and provide feedback to subordinate staff.
Manage material and human resources to meet department targets; approve overtime and allocate resources in the short- to medium-term schedule.
Detect and correct unsafe conditions; ensure compliance with EHS standards and with safety interlocks/guards on production machinery.
Manage departmental budget within approved limits and ensure effective use of resources; review variance and performance reports to guide decisions.
Communicate objectives, set expectations, and make operational decisions while ensuring compliance with KPIs, safety, environmental, and quality regulations applicable to the ceramic process.
Under the direction of the Plant Manager, this role leads and steers the activities of General Supervisors across multiple shifts within a single production department to ensure the effective, timely, and cost-efficient manufacturing of quality products that meet established processes, technical specifications, and safety standards. The role coordinates production operations, establishes and maintains production schedules within budgets and procedures, monitors performance indicators (variance, production, quality, injury reports), and enforces compliance with safety rules and regulatory requirements. It also guides supervisors on contract interpretation and policy adherence, partners with cross-functional teams, and contributes to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
- Coordinate the efforts of general supervisors and foremen through daily/weekly productivity and production reports to maximize efficiency while maintaining quality standards.
- Plan and maintain department production schedules within established procedures and approved budgets; set sequence of production and determine the need for overtime or extra shifts.
- Monitor production runs to ensure adherence to schedule; identify bottlenecks and correct issues in real time using systematic problem-solving methods.
- Coordinate resolution of production issues with plant service areas (e.g., Maintenance, Engineering, Materials, Quality) and ensure optimal material availability and equipment readiness.
- Determine appropriate equipment/machinery usage and ensure preventive maintenance and proper operating procedures are followed through review of downtime, parts usage, and visual inspection.
- Monitor raw material performance via in-process inspections; drive corrective actions to sustain quality standards; inspect finished-product samples and analyze defects to address quality control problems.
- Track and report on established KPIs, including variance, production, quality, and injury metrics; prepare and coordinate completion of operational and analytics reports.
- Ensure compliance with safety rules, HSE procedures, and regulatory requirements; identify risky behaviors/patterns, implement corrective actions, and escalate serious issues as needed.
- Guide general supervisors on union contract interpretation, compliance with company policies, and adherence to quality control standards.
- Promote continuous quality improvement and operational excellence); establish measures to drive best yield and throughput.
- Partner with Materials to maintain optimal inventory levels and with Maintenance to uphold equipment safety systems and interlocks.
- Analyze field claims/returns, determine root cause, and initiate corrective actions with supervision.
- Ensure adherence to the quality management system (e.g., ISO 9001) and plant procedures.
- Support capability building: identify team development needs, provide coaching/training, and hold teams accountable for performance objectives.
- Comply with the Health and Safety Roles and Responsibilities established for this position (See Responsibilities chart by position).
SPECIFIC AUTHORITIES
- Deliver production, quality, and safety objectives; identify improvement opportunities and provide feedback to subordinate staff.
- Manage material and human resources to meet department targets; approve overtime and allocate resources in the short- to medium-term schedule.
- Detect and correct unsafe conditions; ensure compliance with EHS standards and with safety interlocks/guards on production machinery.
- Manage departmental budget within approved limits and ensure effective use of resources; review variance and performance reports to guide decisions.
- Communicate objectives, set expectations, and make operational decisions while ensuring compliance with KPIs, safety, environmental, and quality regulations applicable to the ceramic process.
SKILLS/REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION:
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field. Master´s degree preferred
EXPERIENCE:
4–6 years of experience in a high-volume manufacturing/industrial environment, including 3+ years managing people or leading frontline teams; experience with ISO and project management preferred.
FORMATION:
Preference working knowledge of Microsoft Windows based software applications. Bilingual skills required
SKILLS, COMPETENCIES, AND TRAITS:
Top Behavioral Competencies:
Ensures Accountability; Plans and Aligns; Drives Results; Directs Work; Communicates Effectively; Builds Effective Teams; Manages Complexity (role-level proficiencies per-Korn Ferry profile).
Technical/Professional Skills:
Planning & Organizing; Action Planning; Policy & Procedures; Review & Reporting; Adaptive Mindset; Health & Safety; Negotiation; Project Management Techniques; Workflow Management; Risk Management Techniques; Verbal Communication.
Personality Traits & Drivers (role-aligned):
Traits: Focus, Need for Achievement, Persistence, Adaptability, Tolerance of Ambiguity, Curiosity, Confidence, Composure.
Drivers: Challenge, Collaboration, Structure, Power, Independence, Balance.
Why Choose Kohler?
We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.
About Us
It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com. Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
