Operations Manager
Norsk HydroJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
Hydro Extrusions is seeking an Operations Manager to lead all facility activities in Gainesville, GA, including production, packing, finishing, production control, plant engineering and maintenance. The role requires at least 5 years of manufacturing leadership, preferably in metallurgy, with a focus on staffing optimization, quality, cost control and safety aligned with ISO and QS standards. You will collaborate with sales on production planning, manage budgets and procurement, and drive continuous improvement and preventive maintenance programs. Required: bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering or Business (or 10 years of relevant experience). Tips for applicants: tailor your resume to show measurable leadership impact, highlight safety and regulatory expertise, and be ready for job-related assessments. Equal opportunity employer; accommodations available.
Hydro Extrusions is a world-leading aluminium extrusion business counting around 100 production sites in 40 countries and employing 20,000 people. Through our unique combination of local expertise, global network, and unmatched R&D capabilities, we can offer everything from standards profiles to advanced development and manufacturing for most industries. Since 1905, Hydro has turned natural resources into valuable products for people and businesses with focus on a safe and good workplace for our 30,000 employees in more than 140 locations.
What we offer you
- Medical, Rx, Dental, Disability, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts
- Retirement Savings Plans with Company Match/Contributions
- Education Assistance
- Bonus Plan Eligibility
- Parental Leave
Job Summary:
The Operations Manager oversees all activities within the facility, including production, packing, finishing, production control, engineering, and maintenance. With over five years of leadership experience in manufacturing environments, the focus is on optimizing staffing, output, quality, and cost-efficiency in alignment with company goals. The role emphasizes continuous improvement, preventive maintenance, workplace safety, and ISO/QS compliance. The Operations Manager also collaborates with sales on production planning and manages budgets and procurement. This position reports to the Plant Manager.
What you will be doing
- Ensure personal health, security, and safety, while actively contributing to the creation of a safe and healthy work environment, in alignment with the company’s safety and environmental goals.
- Oversee all aspects of manufacturing operations, including production, packing, finishing, production control, plant engineering, and maintenance.
- Manage day-to-day manufacturing operations, ensuring smooth production flow and efficient resource utilization.
- Evaluate and manage staffing levels, quality, delivery, unit production, and cost control to optimize manufacturing performance.
- Foster collaboration across departments to promote continuous improvement through effective process development and procedural enhancements.
- Work closely with sales and production teams to coordinate production planning and ensure alignment with customer demands and operational capacity.
- Collaborate with plant engineering and maintenance teams to ensure proper preventive maintenance programs are in place and environmental controls are consistently improved.
What will make you successful?
Required Education/Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in manufacturing management within environment, preferably within metallurgy environments.
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering or Business, or 10 years of relevant experience and training.
Preferred Skills/Qualifications:
- Proven ability to assess production methods and drive improvements through training and process optimization.
- In-depth knowledge of ISO/QS standards and safety regulations.
- Proficiency in reading, analyzing, and interpreting technical and regulatory documents.
- Ability to work with mathematical concepts, including probability, statistics, and geometry.
- Capable of understanding and applying work and safety instructions relevant to the specific area of responsibility.
- Strong problem-solving skills and experience handling complex variables in environments with limited standardization.
Equal opportunities
Hydro in North America is an Equal Opportunity Employer where all phases of employment are based strictly upon the qualifications of the individual as related to the work requirements of the position. This policy is applied without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, marital status or any other category protected by law. We strive to provide equal opportunities for all to contribute and succeed with us.
As part of our recruitment process, we may use job‑related assessments in selected roles. These tools help us better understand work‑related strengths and support a fair and consistent hiring process. Any assessment results are reviewed together with your experience, qualifications, and interviews, and are never used as the sole basis for hiring decisions.
If you need an accommodation in order to complete the application, please contact Hydro Recruiting via email at [email protected]