Operations Manager in St. Louis, Missouri at Challenge Unlimited Inc

At Challenge Unlimited, our vision is to become a national leader in providing employment services to people living with disabilities that empower them to reach their full potential. We intentionally provide opportunities for individuals living with disabilities which will assist them to live, work, and participate in the community.
Challenge Unlimited is driven by its core values: community, helpfulness, abilities, leadership, learning ethics, innovation, growth, and effective outcomes. It is these values that have powered Challenge Unlimited to its success and has helped over 600 disabled individuals find meaningful work across all our locations.
Our mission is to provide employment opportunities to people living with disabilities and we are intentional about hiring candidates with disabilities.

We have an immediate need for a full-time Operations Manager

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 4:00pm
Location: Project CU St. Louis, MO
Travel Required: Up to 10%
Pay Range: $60,000 - $67,000 annually

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Operations Manager is responsible for the execution of the organization’s warehouse activities which further our mission to help people who have different abilities to receive work support and development as needed—achieving the highest level of independence possible. Operationally, plans, directs, or coordinates the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications. Oversees production audits and maintains the daily applications of the Quality Assurance program of the Company. Manages warehouse and DECYCLEIT! Supervisors, CSR Driver, Shipping/ Receiving employees. Assists Executive Director as required.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Operations Oversight Develop and implement production tracking and quality control systems, analyzing production, quality control, maintenance, and other operational reports to detect production problems. Review processing schedules and production orders to make decisions concerning inventory requirements, staffing requirements, work procedures, and duty assignments, considering budgetary limitations and time constraints. Ensure timely and accurate receiving and shipping activities. Approve expenditures for supplies, and materials, ensuring that materials, labor and equipment are used efficiently to meet production targets. Communicate with finance and provide data regarding purchase, payroll, and billing. Direct and coordinate production activities of the Company. Establish production and route schedules. Set and monitor product standards, examining samples of raw products or directing testing during processing, to ensure finished products are of prescribed quality

Maintenance
Coordinate with the Assistant Operations Manager and recommend procedures for facility and equipment maintenance or modification, including the replacement of machines. Coordinate preventative maintenance on the machinery or facility as needed. Coordinate with outside contractors working on/in PCU property and equipment. Direct projects to ensure completion within established time frames, project design, and budget. Develop measurable standards of success to document efficiencies and maximum availability of key equipment while minimizing equipment down time due to failure. Ensure that expenses are within budget limits and/or Job Description – Operations Manager Project CU 11/2024 fiscal practices are followed. Ensure city, county, state and federal regulations relating to the maintenance of equipment are met. Maintain vehicle maintenance and registration.

Administration
Provide regular reports on projects, repairs, and workplace changes. Prepare the maintenance schedule and budget; schedule expenditures; order supplies; analyze variances; initiate corrective actions as needed. Participate in meetings, workshops and seminars to convey and/or gather information required to perform functions. Analyze financial data. Analyze operational or management reports or records. Communicate technical information. Conduct research on work-related topics.

Customer Service
Manage relationships with managers to assure independent awareness of customer satisfaction with services provided. Interact with internal and external customers and vendors to identify opportunities to improve quality and establish feedback. Work with Production Supervisors, instructing them in simple machine use and repair.

Effective Team Leadership
Lead team and place people in positions to succeed. Encourage effective outcomes and accountability. Interview, hire, and train new employees. Plan, monitor, and appraise job results; evaluate the team for continual improvement, efficiency, and effectiveness. Develop or enhance the skills and knowledge of the maintenance staff to increase the capability of maintenance team to handle requests internally. Initiate, coordinate, and enforce systems, policies, and procedures. Mentor and develop the team through training, problem resolution and performance evaluation, and build an effective company culture that embodies our Company values to achieve optimum performance levels, goals and objectives

Perform other related duties and assignments as required

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High School Diploma or G.E.D. required. Post High School Education preferred
Experience: 10 years' experience in manufacturing, with knowledge of machines and tools, including their design, use, repair and maintenance. Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. 5+ years supervisory experience.
Certifications/Licenses: Class E Driver's License. Forklift certification (have or obtain certification within 1 month of starting). CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute), CPR/First Aid (obtain within first 6 months of hire)
Pre-Employment Tests: Pre employment Drug Screen. Physical capacity test.
Computer Skills: Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook QuickBooks, Kronos experience preferred
Background Checks: Must pass criminal background check and various State and Federal registry checks. Must pass credit history check. Must pass driving history check and Company policy criteria, maintain valid driver's license and be 21 or older to drive. Company travel using personal insured vehicle is required. Occasionally drives personal vehicle between work sites.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Occasionally sitting in the normal course of driving a vehicle
• Routinely standing, walking, bending, squatting, reaching, and twisting in the course of loading/unloading material and counting product
• Occasionally listens and speaks with staff and Certified Workers to ensure successful project completion and a safe workspace.
• Continually visually alert to monitor the area where work is performed to maintain safety and complete duties.
• Continually using hands in grasping, lifting, writing, carrying, driving, and operating power tools.
• Occasionally bending, reaching, and twisting; occasionally climbing stairs and/or ladders squatting, and kneeling.

BENEFITS

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time off (Vacation, Sick & Holidays)
• Training & Development
• Short Term & Long-Term Disability
• 401(k)

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.