At GE Appliances, a Haier company, we come together to make “good things, for life.” As the fastest-growing appliance company in the U.S., we’re powered by creators, thinkers and makers who believe that anything is possible and that there’s always a better way. We believe in the power of our people and in giving them the freedom to explore, discover and build good things, together.
The GE Appliances philosophy, backed by three simple commitments defines the way we work, invent, create, do business, and serve our communities: we come together, we always look for a better way, and we create possibilities.
Interested in joining us on our journey?
The Manager, Manufacturing Operations, leads daily production activities and continuous improvement initiatives within an assigned manufacturing area. This role oversees hourly team members and Team Leaders, ensuring safe, high-quality, and efficient operations aligned with plant objectives. The manager drives performance in safety, quality, delivery, and cost while fostering a culture of accountability and engagement.
Position
Manager, Manufacturing Operations – 3rd shift
Location
USA, Decatur, AL
How You'll Create Possibilities
Manufacturing Operations:
- Supports the Business Leader by overseeing daily operations and driving continuous improvement across an assigned production area.
- Directly manages hourly production team members, including Team Leaders.
- Owns operational performance for safety, quality, delivery and cost. Aligns area goals with plant-wide objectives.
- Leads daily start-up of production area. Ensure proper staffing, adjusts for absenteeism and reviews daily production plans with Team Leaders.
- Ensures production line boards are completed accurately and used for performance tracking, issue identification and shift-to-shift communication.
- Maintains strong technical understanding of operations and follows escalation protocols to address abnormalities and corrective actions.
- Acts as first responder for production issues, facilitating proper escalation and resolution.
- Enforces Lean Manufacturing principles and escalation processes under the Appliance Production System.
- Participates in daily production meetings, communicating key issues to leadership and cascades necessary information to Team Leaders.
- Oversees implementation of standardized work and coaches Team Leaders to ensure process stability and adherence.
- Ensures Job Instruction methods and cross-training matrices are followed to maintain skill depth and consistency.
- Maintains 5S standards to ensure a safe, organized and efficient work environment.
Continuous Improvement:
- Leads teams in aggressive response to inefficiencies. Drives root cause analysis and sustainable countermeasures.
- Supports the Business Leader in managing cross-functional teams (PIEs, Team Leaders, KPOs and other lean resources) to identify and reduce waste.
- Serves as first responder within the escalation process to resolve operational issues.
- Participates in department reviews, helps prioritize open items and ensures timely closure with accountability.
- Leads and champions Kaizen Events; ensure countermeasures are implemented effectively.
- Uses tools such as Yamazumi charts to plan and execute work area rebalancing.
Leadership & Administration:
- Partners with HR to ensure fair, consistent and timely administration of all employee relations matters.
- Manages staffing levels, job postings, timecards and pay accuracy.
- Oversees overtime needs, compliance with overtime guidelines and posting of overtime schedules.
- Issues timely, well-documented discipline and supports HR in completing prompt, thorough investigations when needed.
- Communicates company updates, process changes and other written communications promptly and clearly.
Quality:
- Enforces all quality standards and processes.
- Monitors daily quality performance leads to problem-solving and escalates unresolved issues.
- Ensures Team Leaders embed quality standards into Standardized Work.
- Partners cross-functionally with engineering and quality teams to resolve and prevent issues.
- Tracks and reduces scrap through analysis and preventive action.
- Drives improvement in First Pass Yield and Service Call Rate (SCR) through proactive problem-solving and collaboration.
Safety:
- Promotes a proactive safety culture and ensures compliance with all PPE, safety rules and procedures.
- Leads and owns accident investigations within 24 hours, identifies root causes and implements corrective actions.
- Maintains the department safety action list and ensures timely closure of corrective actions from incidents and ergonomic assessments.
- Drives accountability for safe behaviors through daily engagement and visible leadership presence on the floor.
What You'll Bring to Our Team
Requirements:
- 5+ years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment, including supplier management and project implementation, with demonstrated technical acumen across supply chain functions such as manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, materials, quality, procurement, and fulfillment and/or be a GE Appliances Supply Chain Development Program or GearUp graduate.
Preferred:
- BS/BA degree preferred, ideally in engineering, supply chain management or business.
- Six Sigma certification preferred, with strong knowledge of Lean, DMAIC, workout and other change mechanisms.
- Demonstrated accomplishments showing results-driven methodology, analytical methods, schedule achievement, teamwork.
- Prior Lean Manufacturing implementation experience.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to influence and engage others effectively.
Working Conditions:
- Working conditions are normal for both an office and manufacturing environment.
- Work may involve lifting materials and products up to 25 pounds.
- Working in the manufacturing environment requires the use of safety equipment to include but not limited to: safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, work shoes/boots.
Our Culture
Our work is centered on our People and Culture as reflected in our Zero Distance philosophy and we recognize the importance of reaffirming our commitment to inclusion and diversity (I&D). This underscores our commitment to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, connected, and empowered to contribute, while positioning our organization to adapt seamlessly to the evolving needs of our workforce and communities.
This reflects our dedication to creating solutions that: Empower colleagues by fostering an environment where all voices are heard, valued, and encouraged to contribute. Strengthen communities where we live and work. Reinforce a culture of belonging, purpose, and engagement. Reflect the diversity of the communities we serve through our workforce, products, and practices.
By further embedding Zero Distance into our People and Culture framework, we will continue to build a deeply connected organization. We are cultivating a culture of engagement, belonging, and connection, because while attracting new talent remains a priority, retention is a cornerstone of our strategy.
GE Appliances is a trust-based organization. It is important we offer our employees the flexibility they need to do their best work while balancing the needs of the business and individuals. When you join GE Appliances, you will have the opportunity to work with your leader to create a flexible work arrangement that balances the needs of the individual, team, and organization.
GE Appliances is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
GE Appliances participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance or an accommodation to use our website or to apply, please send an e-mail to ask.recruiting@geappliances.com