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Ellabell, Georgia, United States
Onsite
Position Summary
The Head of SCM Operations Team is the senior on-site leader responsible for the overall management, execution, and performance of SCM operations at the Manufacturing Plant in Ellabell, Georgia.
The position has overall responsibility for both 1st Shift and 2nd Shift operations, each shift is led by one Operations Manager and three Operations Supervisors, with the Head of SCM Operations providing overall leadership, direction, performance oversight, and accountability across both shifts.
The Head of Operations is responsible for ensuring consistent operational performance throughout the entire daily operating cycle, including effective shift-to-shift communication, staffing, shuttle operations, sequencing, equipment utilization, safety, and customer service. As the senior-most SCM operational leader, this position serves as the primary management contact for plant stakeholders and is responsible for responding to operational issues, customer requests, service disruptions, and escalations involving either shift.
The role requires strong operational leadership, customer relationship management, cross-functional coordination, and the ability to maintain consistent performance standards across multiple shifts in a fast-paced automotive manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Leadership & Planning
• Develop and execute the SCM operations strategy in alignment with goals.
• Provide overall leadership and direction for both 1st Shift and 2nd Shift SCM operations.
• Establish operating standards, staffing plans, scheduling requirements, and resource allocation across both shifts.
• Lead capacity planning, shuttle scheduling, yard planning, and operational design to ensure uninterrupted supply to the assembly line.
• Analyze anticipated production requirements, transportation volume, staffing needs, and operational constraints and adjust resources accordingly.
• Ensure operational consistency between shifts through standardized procedures, management controls, and effective shift handoffs.
• Identify and implement process improvements to improve productivity, cost efficiency, scalability, and service quality.
• Oversee department budgeting, financial performance, and P&L management.
2. Multi-Shift Operations Management
• Direct and oversee all SCM operations covering:
o 1st Shift: 6:00 AM – 2:30 PM
o 2nd Shift: 4:30 PM – 1:00 AM
• Maintain overall accountability for operational performance across both shifts.
• Provide leadership and oversight to the Operations Manager and Supervisors assigned to each shift.
• Ensure effective communication and operational handoff between 1st and 2nd Shift management teams.
• Establish clear escalation protocols to ensure unresolved issues are communicated and addressed without disruption to plant operations.
• Direct all yard, shuttle, switching, staging, and related SCM activities to achieve safe, timely, and error-free service.
• Monitor inbound and outbound material flow and ensure uninterrupted support of manufacturing production requirements.
• Ensure operational readiness, adequate staffing, equipment availability, and proper resource allocation for each shift.
• Monitor daily operating conditions and proactively address staffing shortages, equipment issues, production changes, yard congestion, or other operational risks.
• Maintain leadership visibility across both shifts and provide on-site support as operational and customer requirements dictate.
• Establish and monitor operational KPIs covering productivity, service performance, equipment utilization, labor efficiency, safety, and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure proper maintenance and utilization of tractors, trailers, yard equipment, and other operational assets.
• Manage returnable asset flows, including carts, racks, dollies, and other customer-owned or company-controlled equipment, while maintaining inventory integrity.
3. Customer & Stakeholder Management
• Serve as the senior on-site operational liaison between the company and other plant stakeholders.
• Maintain strong working relationships with customer leadership, production teams, logistics teams, and other operational partners.
• Act as the primary escalation point for significant operational issues occurring during either 1st or 2nd Shift.
• Ensure customer requests, service concerns, production changes, and operational issues are acknowledged and addressed promptly.
• Coordinate with shift Managers to investigate service failures, identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and communicate resolution to the customer.
• Lead or participate in daily, weekly, and executive-level customer meetings.
• Provide customers with timely operational updates regarding service performance, manpower, equipment availability, safety, and other significant operational matters.
• Ensure customer commitments and service requirements are consistently communicated to both shifts and executed accordingly.
• Identify emerging customer requirements and translate them into effective operational plans.
4. People Leadership & Organizational Management
• Lead, mentor, develop, and hold accountable the SCM Operations leadership team.
• The core shift leadership structure includes 1 Operations Manager and 3 Operations Supervisors per shift
• Provide overall leadership for additional operations staff, coordinators, drivers, and other employees assigned to the department.
• Clearly define responsibilities, performance expectations, and decision-making authority for Managers and Supervisors.
• Ensure consistent leadership and application of company policies across both shifts.
• Conduct regular management meetings and shift performance reviews.
• Develop Managers and Supervisors to independently manage daily operations while maintaining appropriate escalation and accountability.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, professionalism, customer service, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with Human Resources regarding recruiting, staffing, employee relations, performance management, discipline, and workforce planning.
• Oversee employee performance reviews, succession planning, and leadership
development for key positions.
• Ensure adequate staffing and leadership coverage for both shifts based on operational demand.
5. Safety & Compliance
• Champion a safety-first culture across all SCM operations and both operating shifts.
• Ensure compliance with applicable OSHA, DOT, CTPAT, company, customer, and plant- specific requirements.
• Hold Managers and Supervisors accountable for consistent enforcement of safety requirements.
• Monitor driver and employee compliance with safe work practices, PPE requirements, vehicle operating procedures, and site safety rules.
• Oversee safety inspections, audits, training, incident investigations, and corrective actions.
• Partner closely with Safety Department to identify operational risks and implement preventive measures.
• Review accidents, incidents, near misses, equipment damage, and safety violations and ensure appropriate corrective and preventive actions are completed.
• Ensure safety expectations are consistently enforced across both 1st and 2nd Shift operations.
6. Performance Management & Continuous Improvement
• Establish measurable KPIs for both shifts and monitor performance against operational targets.
• Review daily and weekly performance metrics to identify service failures, productivity gaps, recurring issues, and improvement opportunities.
• Compare performance between shifts to ensure operational standards are consistently maintained.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action processes for recurring service, safety, staffing, or equipment issues.
• Develop standardized work processes and operational procedures across both shifts.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, productivity, labor utilization, equipment efficiency, customer service, and cost reduction.
• Use operational data and trend analysis to support business decisions and resource planning.
7. Financial Management & Reporting
• Own the SCM Operations department P&L and ensure achievement of established financial targets.
• Develop and manage operating budgets, labor budgets, equipment costs, and other department expenses.
• Monitor labor utilization, overtime, staffing efficiency, maintenance costs, and other controllable expenses across both shifts.
• Oversee weekly invoicing, settlements, operational cost validation, and related financial processes.
• Identify cost-saving and productivity improvement opportunities without compromising safety or customer service.
• Provide executive management with regular reports regarding:
o Operational performance
o Staffing and manpower
o Customer service
o Safety
o Equipment utilization
o Financial performance
o Operational risks
o Corrective actions
o Continuous improvement initiatives
Job Qualifications & Requirements
Required:
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, or related field
• 12+ years of progressive experience in supply chain/transportation/logistics operations
• 7+ years in a senior managerial or leadership role within yard, shuttle, or automotive supply chain operations
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-shift operations and front-line management teams.
• Strong experience leading Managers, Supervisors, and large operational workforces.
• Strong understanding of operational KPIs, workforce planning, productivity management, and process improvement.
• Demonstrated customer and stakeholder management experience.
• Strong financial management and P&L experience.
• Proven ability to manage complex and time-sensitive operations in a high-pressure environment.
Preferred:
• Master’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, or MBA
• Direct experience supporting an automotive OEM, Tier 1 supplier, or automotive manufacturing environment.
• Experience in automotive plant logistics, sequencing, shuttle, yard, switching, or material- flow operations.
• CDL-A license and hands-on operational experience in yard/shuttle environments
Qualifications & Skills
• Strong strategic thinking and business acumen.
• Expertise in automotive logistics, yard operations, shuttle operations, sequencing, and material flow.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate multiple operating shifts.
• Strong customer-facing and issue-resolution capabilities.
• Ability to make sound operational decisions under time-sensitive conditions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Strong financial management and cost-control capabilities.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong conflict-management and escalation-management skills.
• Ability to build accountability within a multi-level management structure.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and ERP, TMS, WMS, YMS, or other logistics management systems.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced automotive manufacturing environment.
• Strong customer orientation and relationship-management skills.
• Flexibility to support multiple shifts and respond to significant after-hours operational issues when necessary.
Compensation & Benefits
• Competitive salary plus performance-based incentives.
• Medical Insurance: 85% company-paid
• Dental & Vision Insurance: 80% company-paid
• Life, Short-Term Disability (STD), Long-Term Disability (LTD): 100% company-paid
• Paid Time Off (PTO): 120 hours annually
• Sick Leave: 40 hours annually
• Paid Holidays: 11 days annually
• Retirement: 401(k) with 4% of company match
Salary Range: $100,000 ~ $120,000 / year
We’re committed to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow. Our team benefits from competitive compensation, comprehensive health and wellness offerings, and opportunities for professional development. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and make all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including those related to fair hiring practices, pay transparency, workplace safety, and reasonable accommodations. We are dedicated to maintaining an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and contribute meaningfully.
