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?
As the Senior Manager, Manufacturing Operations – Fabrication and Finishing (2nd Shift), you'll be responsible for the overall operational plan, performance and improvement of an entire value stream operation within the manufacturing facility.
You'll develop, lead and coach salaried and hourly team members to achieve high performance in the areas of safety, quality, delivery and cost.
Position
Sr Manager, Manufacturing Operations – 1st Shift
Location
USA, LaFayette, GA
How You'll Create Possibilities
MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS
- Oversee manufacturing operations for an entire value stream within a plant.
- Own and develop the annual operational plan and playbook for the assigned manufacturing value stream.
- Drive operational performance across key metrics including safety, quality, delivery, cost, and culture.
- Align value stream metrics with overall plant objectives and organize resources to achieve targets.
- Lead cross‑functional manufacturing teams, including responsibility for salaried and hourly employees within the business unit.
- Manage direct reports including Area Leaders (AL) and Team Leaders (TL), as well as indirect team members.
- Utilize production line boards to monitor value stream performance, identify issues, and drive problem resolution.
- Ensure accurate shift‑to‑shift communication and information flow to management.
- Establish accountability for maintaining and managing production boards.
- Maintain strong technical knowledge of manufacturing operations and follow escalation processes to address abnormalities.
- Recommend and implement corrective actions as required.
- Ensure adherence to Lean Manufacturing practices and escalation processes under the Appliance Production System.
- Manage department metrics and budgets; prepare and present daily production and performance reports.
- Establish and maintain a daily operating rhythm, including startup meetings, team leader meetings, and escalation meetings.
- Develop and prepare topics for daily team meetings and ensure consistent message cascading.
- Oversee deployment and adherence to standardized work to ensure process stability.
- Coach and develop Area Leaders and Team Leaders to ensure standardized work compliance.
- Ensure compliance with Job Instruction methods, including validation of Job Instruction forms, cross‑training matrices, and delivery of the four‑step training method.
- Ensure 5S standards are met and sustained across the entire value stream.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
- Champion and teach the Appliance Production System philosophy throughout the value stream.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency and waste reduction.
- Lead problem‑solving and root cause analysis to address manufacturing inefficiencies.
- Engage cross‑functional escalation teams, including Area Leaders, Team Leaders, Kaizen Promotion Office, and Lean resources, to resolve issues.
- Identify and eliminate waste through short‑term and long‑term improvement initiatives.
- Serve as a second‑level responder in the escalation process for value stream issues.
- Facilitate regular departmental review meetings to prioritize issues and assign ownership.
- Track action items to closure and ensure follow‑up with key stakeholders.
- Lead and champion Kaizen events and ensure implementation of countermeasures.
- Oversee work area rebalancing using Yamazumi charts.
LEADERSHIP
- Provide daily leadership to a highly energized, cross‑functional manufacturing team.
- Set performance goals and expectations for team members.
- Deliver ongoing coaching, performance feedback, training, and career development.
- Participate in annual performance review and talent assessment processes.
- Lead employee disciplinary investigations and corrective actions in partnership with Human Resources.
- Ensure accurate documentation and timely completion of all disciplinary processes.
- Recruit and onboard talent to meet operational needs.
- Develop and mentor future leaders within the organization.
- Partner with Human Resources to ensure equitable application of policies, procedures, and work rules.
QUALITY
- Ensure products are manufactured defect‑free and to engineering specifications.
- Ensure compliance with Manufacturing Control Plans (MCP) and all quality standards.
- Monitor production data, quality metrics, and reports daily and drive issue resolution or escalation.
- Ensure quality standards are embedded within standardized work processes.
- Collaborate cross‑functionally with engineering, quality, and operations to resolve production issues.
- Analyze scrap data and lead countermeasures to reduce and prevent future scrap.
- Partner with Quality and Engineering teams to improve First Pass Yield, Overall Yield, and Service Call Rate (SCR).
SAFETY
- Own overall safety performance and safety metrics for the value stream.
- Promote a strong safety culture and enforce safe work practices.
- Lead and support safety programs including behavior‑based safety observations, audits, meetings, and 5S standards.
- Enforce compliance with safety policies, procedures, and Safe Start participation.
- Ensure timely investigation and documentation of accidents, near misses, and safety incidents.
- Review and approve accident investigations, ensuring root cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Manage safety action items, including ergonomic assessments and corrective action tracking.
What You'll Bring to Our Team
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
- Strong technical acumen in manufacturing or plant operations.
- Demonstrated ability to teach, facilitate meetings, and lead group discussions effectively.
- Proven capability to provide constructive feedback and actively listen to team members.
- Ability to identify, analyze, and resolve problems in cross‑functional and multi‑disciplinary settings.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to coach and lead high‑involvement work teams.
- Demonstrated success in achieving business objectives and driving organizational change.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical) or equivalent experience.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in manufacturing or plant operations.
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification.
- Strong working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, DMAIC, Kaizen, Workout, and change management methodologies.
- Demonstrated results‑driven accomplishments using analytical methodologies and structured problem solving.
- Proven experience meeting schedules and delivery commitments in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience leading or supporting Lean Manufacturing implementations.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to influence and lead at multiple organizational levels.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Work environment includes both office and manufacturing settings.
- Ability to lift materials and products weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Manufacturing environment requires use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and safety shoes or boots.
- Position may require occasional evening and weekend work based on operational needs.
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