Department Manager - Operations

Position Overview:
The Department Manager drives efficiency and productivity within plant operations in a manner that is consistent with established targets and parameters. Responsible for developing and managing Supervisors, the Department Manager ensures performance within the department is consistent with all environmental, safety, and quality standards, and drives operational discipline, resource optimization, and continuous improvement. This position reports to the SVP of Operations.

Critical Success Criteria:

• Drive efficiency and productivity within the department while ensuring employee safety, environmental health, and quality.
• Ensure employees follow safety and environmental health procedures to help protect people and the environment.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives by collaborating with maintenance and engineering.
• Oversee and monitor all equipment and processes within the department to produce minimal downtime and quality output.
• Supervise and develop department team leads/supervisors so that they have the knowledge and ability to effectively lead their teams.
• Manage and control budget as it relates to labor and headcount planning.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee daily production operations, making real-time decisions to ensure safe, efficient performance.
• Plan and schedule production based on capacity, materials, and staffing; support forecasting efforts.
• Monitor operations, maintenance, and inventory to maintain continuous plant performance.
• Enforce safety, environmental, quality, and housekeeping standards; address issues immediately.
• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and frontline leaders to build a high-performing team.
• Support hiring, training, performance management, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Ensure proper training, documentation, and adherence to SOPs and LOTO procedures.
• Partner with Quality to maintain ISO standards and resolve process gaps or customer issues.
• Drive continuous improvement through process, equipment, and staffing recommendations.
• Communicate effectively across shifts and leadership to ensure alignment and continuity.
• All other duties as assigned by management.

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED from accredited school.
• 5+ years of previous people management experience in a manufacturing or production environment.
• Previous work experience in a heavy industrial production environment.
• Demonstrated leadership skills to champion change in a highly dynamic environment, promote a positive team atmosphere, and sustain a continuous improvement culture.
• Strong technical skills in mechanical engineering and maintenance of machinery and equipment.
• Excellent structured troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with the ability to maintain composure during high-stress situations and maintain focus on ultimate objectives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Management, Engineering, or a related field from an accredited College or University preferred, but not required.
• Previous work experience in an organized labor setting preferred, but not required.
• Familiarity with recycling technology and production processes preferred, but not required.

Physical Requirements:

• Willingness and ability to wear a full-face respirator mask directly against skin (e.g. clean shaven if applicable), work in a hot/high temperature production facility, and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in designated areas with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Willingness and ability to comply with safety protocols and company-provided decontamination measures which include utilizing private shower facilities upon leaving the plant environment with or without reasonable accommodation.

Compensation Information:
Salary Range: $114,237 - $188,384. This position is also eligible for a short-term incentive plan which is determined by the achievement of strategic objectives. The market rate for the role is typically at the midpoint of the salary range; however, variations in final salary are determined by additional factors such as candidate qualifications, relevant years of experience, geographic location, internal pay equity, and prevailing market conditions for the specific role. Benefits: Gopher Resource is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package that promotes the health, wellness, and financial security of our employees. List of benefit offerings include medical & pharmacy, dental, vision, health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), dependent care spending account, life insurance, disability programs, telemedicine, parental leave, tuition support, legal insurance, identity theft protection, gym membership discounts, EAP, 401(k) with a company match, and paid time off (vacation, personal, bereavement, holidays).

Gopher Resource is an Equal Opportunity Employer.