Operations Manager - Assembly

Company Profile

With over 80 years of innovation, JCB is the world’s largest privately owned manufacturer of construction and agricultural equipment. Operating 23 manufacturing facilities across four continents—including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Brazil—JCB produces a diverse portfolio of more than 300 products. These include telescopic handlers, backhoe loaders, excavators, wheel loaders, compact excavators, skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, access aerial work platforms, rough terrain forklifts, and tractors.

At the heart of JCB’s success are its people. As a family-owned business, we are accountable to our customers—not shareholders—which gives us the flexibility to focus on long-term innovation and delivering real value. This independence allows us to continuously develop advanced technologies and integrate them into equipment designed to perform in the toughest environments while maximizing customer productivity.

At JCB, we stand behind our products—and our name—with pride and commitment to quality.

Position Purpose

The Operations Manager - Assembly is responsible for leading all assembly manufacturing operations to ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective production of world-class equipment. This role provides strategic and day-to-day leadership for production teams, supervisors, and department managers while driving operational excellence through safety, quality, delivery, cost, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The Operations Manager will develop and execute manufacturing strategies that support business objectives, capacity growth, workforce development, new product introductions, and productivity improvements. This position plays a critical role in building a high-performance culture focused on accountability, employee engagement, process discipline, and customer satisfaction.

Position Type

Full Time, Exempt

Location

Onsite: 2000 Bamford Blvd. Pooler, Georgia 31322

Schedule

2nd shift Monday – Thursday 4:00p-2:30a w/ overtime on Fridays

Benefits and Other Compensation

JCB offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401 (k) retirement plan; paid time off and paid holidays.

Application Process

Applications will be accepted through Careers | JCB Careers | JCB Jobs | JCB or via LinkedIn. The anticipated application window will close on November 19, 2026. 

Major Tasks, Responsibilities & Key Accountabilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead all assembly operations to achieve established Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Morale (SQDCM) objectives.
• Ensure production schedules are achieved while maintaining compliance with quality standards, operational procedures, and customer requirements.
• Develop and execute operational strategies that support company growth, production demands, and organizational objectives.
• Monitor daily production performance and implement corrective actions to address gaps in efficiency, throughput, and capacity.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Materials, and Manufacturing Engineering teams to ensure smooth operations and production continuity.

People Leadership & Workforce Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, and development to supervisors, department managers, and production teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, teamwork, and continuous learning.
• Drive succession planning efforts and develop leadership talent across the manufacturing organization.
• Lead workforce planning activities to ensure adequate staffing levels to support production requirements.
• Conduct performance reviews and establish measurable goals for direct reports.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Champion a world-class safety culture by ensuring compliance with all company policies, OSHA regulations, and environmental requirements.
• Lead investigations into safety incidents, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement in workplace safety performance.
• Promote a quality-first culture focused on defect prevention, right-first-time manufacturing, and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with all documented manufacturing processes, work instructions, and quality systems.

Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing

• Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives to improve productivity, reduce waste, enhance efficiency, and optimize manufacturing flow.
• Utilize Continuous Improvement methodologies including Kaizen, 5S, Standard Work, Root Cause Analysis, Value Stream Mapping, and Problem-Solving techniques.
• Identify opportunities to reduce manufacturing costs while maintaining product quality and safety standards.
• Lead cross-functional teams in the implementation of process improvements and operational excellence initiatives.

New Product Introduction & Capacity Planning

• Collaborate with Engineering and Program Management teams to support successful New Product Introductions (NPI).
• Evaluate manufacturing readiness and ensure assembly operations are prepared for new products and production changes.
• Develop and implement plans for facility expansion, process optimization, tooling improvements, and manufacturing capacity growth.
• Support capital investment initiatives through feasibility studies, business cases, implementation planning, and budget management.

Financial Management

• Develop, manage, and monitor departmental budgets, labor costs, capital expenditures, and operational spending.
• Analyze production performance metrics and drive initiatives to improve profitability and efficiency.
• Ensure resources are allocated appropriately to meet operational objectives while controlling costs.
• Prepare and present operational performance reports to senior leadership.

Additional Responsibilities

• Monitor and report key manufacturing performance indicators.
• Prioritize departmental activities and adjust resources based on changing business demands.
• Support special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Safety Incident Rate
• Lost Time Accidents
• First Pass Yield
• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
• Schedule Attainment
• Labor Productivity
• Cost per Unit
• Inventory Accuracy
• Employee Retention
• Absenteeism
• Quality Defects / Rework
• Continuous Improvement Savings
• On-Time Delivery Performance

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, Operations Management, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience within a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• 5+ years of experience leading supervisors, managers, and large production teams.
• Demonstrated experience managing production schedules, labor planning, and manufacturing performance metrics.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and problem-solving methodologies.
• Experience managing budgets, capital projects, and operational expenditures.
• Advanced leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Must pass any drug screens, background checks, and any pre-employment tests, which will be conducted in accordance with applicable law.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree or MBA.
• Experience within heavy equipment, construction equipment, agricultural machinery, automotive, or industrial manufacturing environments.
• 10+ years of manufacturing experience with broad exposure to assembly, fabrication, quality, supply chain, and maintenance functions.
• Lean Manufacturing Certification, Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent Continuous Improvement certification.
• Experience leading multi-shift manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrated success driving cultural transformation, operational excellence, and large-scale manufacturing improvements.
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) and facility expansion initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Competencies

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work in a high-stress environment.
• Detail-oriented and able to work independently.
• Collaborative approach to resolving issues impacting various groups across the enterprise.
• Ability to understand processes (system and non-system), troubleshoot, develop, and recommend solutions.
• Enjoy working in a dynamic environment and be a self-motivated team player.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Microsoft Project.

Job Conditions

• Manufacturing/factory environment.
• Subject to noise and temperature changes.

 Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those required of an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Must be able to work flexible schedule, including Friday - Sunday 6am -6pm 
• Must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 10lbs, frequently and/or move up to 35lbs, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50lbs.
• Must be able to perform continuous, repetitious physical activities.  These activities may involve fine movements or large motions.
• Must be able to grasp/pinch small items, reach out and up, and turn wrist.
• Must be capable of keeping pace with current production speed.
• Must be able to push/pull with reasonable force.
• Must be able to perform the following requirements of bending, stooping, climbing, kneeling, and standing for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to work in multiple climates including hot/cold temperatures, and dusty environment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

JCB is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. JCB complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment at every location where the company has facilities.  All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability statute, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, and local laws.

EEO EMPLOYER/VET/DISABLED.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

JCB complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the JCB Human Resources team at hrsupport@jcb.com.

JCB Inc. is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status; however, as a global company, JCB offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S., which can be found through our website at https://www.jcb.com/en-gb/about/careers.

Disclaimer: This job description is general in nature and is not designed to contain or to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.