Operations Manger- Cylinder Manufacturing

The Operations Manager, Cylinder Manufacturing is responsible for the day-to-day operation and execution of the cylinder manufacturing department, ensuring production requirements are achieved safely, efficiently, and in accordance with established quality standards, regulatory requirements, and manufacturing processes.

This position serves as the primary operational leader for the cylinder manufacturing floor and translates production requirements and departmental objectives into daily execution. The Operations Manager directly manages the Cylinder Manufacturing Team Lead, establishes daily priorities, removes barriers to production, develops the manufacturing team, and coordinates with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Materials, Supply Chain, Planning, and other supporting functions.

The role requires a highly visible, hands-on leader who can balance safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, and people while building a disciplined and continuously improving manufacturing operation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Production and Daily Operations Own day-to-day execution of cylinder manufacturing operations and ensure production objectives are achieved safely and efficiently. Develop and execute daily and weekly manufacturing priorities based on the production schedule, available labor, equipment capacity, material availability, quality status, and operational constraints.

Direct the Cylinder Manufacturing Team Lead in the daily assignment and coordination of manufacturing personnel. Maintain an active presence on the manufacturing floor, identify barriers to production, and drive issues to resolution. Monitor production performance throughout the shift and adjust labor, sequencing, equipment utilization, and priorities as required.

Coordinate with Materials, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and Planning to maintain uninterrupted production flow. Ensure production transactions, work orders, material usage, labor reporting, inventory movements, and manufacturing records are completed accurately within the ERP/MRP system. Safety, Quality and Regulatory Compliance Establish and reinforce a strong safety culture throughout the cylinder manufacturing department.

Ensure employees follow established safety requirements, work instructions, standard operating procedures, regulatory requirements, and required personal protective equipment. Maintain strict adherence to cylinder manufacturing processes, product specifications, quality requirements, process controls, traceability, inspection, and testing requirements.

Ensure production abnormalities, nonconforming material, equipment conditions, and process deviations are contained, documented, and escalated appropriately. Partner with Quality and Engineering to investigate manufacturing issues, identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and prevent recurrence. Ensure operators are properly trained and qualified before independently performing assigned manufacturing processes.

Ensure cylinder manufacturing operations comply with applicable CNG regulations, company procedures, and Texas Railroad Commission requirements. Maintain the required CNG license or certification in good standing and support departmental compliance with applicable licensing requirements. People Leadership Directly manage, coach, and develop the Cylinder Manufacturing Team Lead.

Establish clear expectations and accountability for the Team Lead's management of daily floor activities and manufacturing employees. Conduct regular one-on-one coaching and development discussions with direct reports. Participate in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, development, performance management, and corrective action for manufacturing employees.

Manage staffing requirements, overtime, attendance, scheduling, and workforce allocation based on production requirements. Build a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, urgency, problem solving, integrity, and continuous improvement. Address employee concerns promptly and consistently in coordination with Human Resources when appropriate.

Develop bench strength and succession capability within the manufacturing team. Operational Performance Establish, maintain, and communicate daily manufacturing performance metrics. Monitor performance against key measures including safety, quality, production attainment, labor efficiency, scrap and rework, downtime, schedule adherence, and cost.

Lead daily production accountability meetings and ensure actions have defined owners and completion dates. Escalate significant risks to safety, quality, delivery, equipment, staffing, regulatory compliance, or customer commitments to the Director of Cylinder Manufacturing. Analyze manufacturing performance to identify trends, constraints, and opportunities requiring corrective action.

Maintain effective visual management and floor-level accountability systems. Continuous Improvement Identify and execute opportunities to improve safety, quality, throughput, labor efficiency, material flow, equipment utilization, and manufacturing cost. Apply Lean manufacturing principles, 5S, standardized work, root-cause problem solving, and other continuous improvement methods.

Eliminate recurring production disruptions through structured problem solving and corrective action. Partner with Engineering and Quality on process improvements, new equipment implementation, process validation, and manufacturing changes. Develop sustainable standard work rather than relying on individual knowledge or informal processes.

Qualifications

and Position Requirements Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and relevant manufacturing leadership experience may be considered. Five or more years of manufacturing experience preferred, including progressive leadership responsibility.

Experience leading production in a safety-, quality-, and process-controlled manufacturing environment strongly preferred. Experience managing Team Leads, supervisors, or other manufacturing leaders preferred. Experience with ERP/MRP manufacturing systems required. Experience with Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, 5S, standardized work, and structured problem solving preferred.

Licenses, Certifications and Training Must possess, or obtain within 45 days of hire, the applicable Texas Railroad Commission CNG license or certification for CNG service and installation. Must maintain all required CNG licenses and certifications in good standing throughout employment. Must complete company-required safety, quality, regulatory, and cylinder manufacturing process training.

If required to drive on behalf of the company, must possess a current and valid driver license and meet the company's insurability requirements. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Strong floor-level manufacturing leadership and personnel management skills. Ability to lead in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and make timely, effective decisions.

Strong understanding of production planning, manufacturing flow, labor planning, inventory control, and capacity constraints. Ability to understand, communicate, and manage manufacturing key performance indicators. Strong problem-solving and root-cause-analysis skills. Ability to read and understand work instructions, manufacturing procedures, quality requirements, and production documentation.

Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel and manufacturing ERP/MRP systems. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with manufacturing employees, cross-functional teams, customers, and senior leadership. Demonstrated ability to hold teams accountable while developing and maintaining a positive, high-performance manufacturing culture.

Physical Demands and Work Environment The physical demands and work environment described are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Regularly works in a manufacturing environment and is required to walk, stand, use hands, reach, communicate, and observe manufacturing operations.

May occasionally be required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. May occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds unassisted and heavier items with appropriate assistance or lifting equipment. Must be able to use required personal protective equipment and work around manufacturing equipment, industrial processes, and moderate noise levels.

Core Accountability The Operations Manager is accountable for the department's daily performance across five priorities: Safety, Quality, Delivery, Productivity, and People. The position owns the daily operation, not only the production schedule, and is expected to identify problems early, assign accountability, remove barriers, and drive sustainable resolution.

General Statement This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Additional responsibilities may be assigned based on business needs. CCFT is a equal opportunity employer.