Deputy Manufacturing Operations Manager — Roanoke Plant

Role Overview

At our Roanoke, VA facility, you will serve as the second-in-command for plant operations—owning day-to-day manufacturing, process improvements, quality performance, and direct P&L impact. You will champion efficiency and operational excellence with accountability for safety, spoilage reduction, costs, labor absorption, and the execution of strategic customer initiatives and projects.

A Day in the Life

You start with a floor walk focused on safety and 5S, confirming teams have the tools, information, and PPE to work safely. You review SPC charts and prior-shift reports, then connect with production planning to align schedules and staffing. A customer call about quality and service comes in—you act as our primary liaison, resolve issues, and reinforce satisfaction. Midday, you facilitate a problem-solving huddle on waste and labor utilization, approve action plans, and monitor overtime. You work closely with the Plant Manager and HR to coach leaders, address personnel matters, and develop training and safety programs. Before you leave, you check cost drivers against the P&L, confirm corporate planning inputs are up to date, and ensure communications and escalation paths are covered 24 hours a day.

What You'll Lead

• Primary point of contact with customers on quality concerns and service performance.
• Continuous improvement initiatives targeting spoilage, labor utilization, safety, efficiency, and throughput.
• Coaching production teams to deliver high-quality product and exceptional customer satisfaction.
• Creating and enforcing procedures that drive a zero-harm safety culture; ensuring teams have the right tools and information.
• Reviewing and acting on reports and requests that influence cost-effective, high-quality operations.
• Driving quality systems, including SPC, and resolving quality issues to root cause.
• Maintaining internal and external communications to support uninterrupted operations, 24/7 as needed.
• Controlling cost levers, including overtime management and labor absorption.
• Partnering with the Plant Manager & Human Resources to address and resolve personnel issues.
• Developing training and safety programs for continuous improvement and performance excellence.
• Building an accountable, problem-solving culture across production teams.
• Coordinating with production planning on schedules and staffing levels.
• Collaborating with corporate functions on planning initiatives and strategic customer projects.
• Building bench strength and developing employees for advancement.
• Providing direct supervision of plant personnel (team size may vary by plant).
• Owning additional responsibilities and projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or proven success in progressively responsible leadership roles within the packaging industry.
• At least 5 years of manufacturing management in a high-volume environment.
• Hands-on experience implementing manufacturing improvement methodologies.
• Background leading a self-directed workforce.

Work Environment

This role is based in a manufacturing facility with moving machinery and consistent noise. You will frequently use company communication tools (computer, cell phone, printer/fax). Hearing protection and all assigned PPE are required. Temperatures may range from extreme cold (<40 degrees) to extreme heat (>90 degrees), with exposure to fumes, dust, and odors. Regular activities include standing, walking, using hands to finger, handle or feel, talking, and hearing; frequent reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; and frequently lifting or moving up to 20 pounds. Vision requirements include close and distance vision and color recognition.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Trivium Packaging is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.