Manufacturing Manager Job at Sterling Engineering in Rineyville

Overview

Join to apply for the Manufacturing Manager role at Sterling Engineering.

About the Opportunity: We are partnered with a financially sound and growing client in the injection molding industry, supplying components to some of the premier automotive manufacturers globally. They are seeking an experienced and strategic Manufacturing Manager to oversee operations at their flagship facility, supporting a workforce of 200-250 employees across engineering, maintenance, quality, assembly, and paint lines.

Location: Kentucky

Salary Range: $135,000 - $170,000

Industry: Injection Molding

Type of Role: Direct Hire

Why Join

• Financially healthy and stable organization with a strong industry reputation
• Collaborative, people-first culture that values input, innovation, and teamwork
• Clear path for upward mobility into senior leadership roles
• Opportunity to have a significant impact on a high-volume, technically complex manufacturing operation

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage day-to-day plant operations across multiple departments (injection molding, assembly lines, paint lines, quality assurance, maintenance, and engineering).
• Drive productivity, efficiency, and operational excellence; maintain clear communication between departments to ensure cohesion and timely output.
• Directly manage and develop a team of supervisors and department leads supporting 200-250 personnel; foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment; oversee staffing, training, and performance evaluations.
• Monitor daily production targets and KPIs; identify and resolve bottlenecks; champion continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, 5S) to drive efficiency and waste reduction.
• Collaborate with engineering and quality teams to support new product introductions and process changes; uphold safety protocols and ensure OSHA and environmental compliance.
• Partner with the Quality team to address customer complaints, non-conformances, and corrective actions; contribute to strategic planning and long-term growth initiatives at the site level.
• Support plant budgeting and capital planning processes; work with executive leadership to identify opportunities for facility and operational improvement.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing leadership, ideally within the injection molding or automotive sector
• Proven experience managing large-scale operations (200+ employees) across multiple departments
• Strong understanding of manufacturing systems, KPIs, and continuous improvement methodologies
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or a related field preferred