Full-Time

Manufacturing Operations Manager

Deadline 7/20/27
Novolex

Novolex

1,001-5,000 employees

Produces packaging products with sustainable focus

No salary listed

Walton, KY, USA

In Person

Bachelor's

Category
Operations & Logistics (1)
Required Skills
Process Engineering
GMP

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Requirements
  • A minimum of 5 years of production or operations management experience in manufacturing and operations.
  • Well-rounded operations management experience, including a deep understanding of operations tactics, lean manufacturing, continuous improvement strategies and best practices, and process discipline.
  • Knowledge of production processes, raw materials, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Demonstrated accountability at the plant management level with a strong track record of successful execution.
  • Demonstrated success as an innovative manufacturing leader.
  • Demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively manage operations with excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
Responsibilities
  • Advance initiatives that promote and sustain the safety, health, security, and welfare of all employees.
  • Maintain safe, clean, orderly 5S, and environmentally compliant production operations.
  • Follow good manufacturing practices in compliance with all food safety requirements and maintain an audit-ready facility.
  • Provide inclusive oversight of all production and production support activities at the facility in accordance with company policies, procedures, values, and standards.
  • Assess current strategies, systems, procedures, performance, capabilities, equipment, facilities, and employees to identify opportunities to optimize safety, flow, service, quality, and profitability.
  • Coordinate with the Maintenance Manager, Process Engineers, and Maintenance Planner to support a predictive and preventive maintenance program.
  • Provide technical recommendations and implementation for continuous improvement in the plant production process.
  • Supervise the installation and repair of all machinery and equipment in conjunction with the day-to-day activities of maintenance technicians.
  • Interview, hire, and train employees; plan, assign, and direct work; appraise performance; reward and discipline employees; address complaints; and resolve problems.
  • Communicate expectations and directives to manufacturing staff.
  • Perform other duties and tasks as assigned.
  • Manage supervisors, lead personnel, and the hourly production workforce as direct reports.
Desired Qualifications
  • A bachelor's degree and lean certification or training.
  • Excellent judgment and decision-making ability.
  • Ability to work toward company goals in an environment requiring creativity and latitude.
  • Results-driven, analytical, self-motivated, and detail-oriented approach with the ability to identify logical solutions to complex problems.

Novolex makes a wide range of packaging products, including paper and plastic bags, food packaging, and other flexible packaging solutions. These products are manufactured and supplied to customers, with a focus on using recyclable and sustainable materials and technologies to reduce environmental impact. The company grows by acquiring other packaging businesses to broaden its offerings and capabilities, applying its manufacturing and sustainability know-how across its portfolio. Its goal is to provide broad, sustainable packaging solutions to customers worldwide while continuously improving environmental performance and responsible business practices.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Hartsville, South Carolina

Founded

1976

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • June 24, 2026 appointed Dan Debicella to sharpen commercial execution and integration.
  • May 5, 2026 hired Marco Hilty to expand international, industrial, and beverage sales.
  • California's January 16, 2026 settlement removed a major litigation overhang.

What critics are saying

  • May 2026 and August 2026 plant closures cut 245 jobs and signal demand pressure.
  • January 16, 2026 California settlement cost Novolex $1.65 million and restricted bag sales.
  • Aggressive plastic-bag regulation destroys the legacy Hilex Poly franchise in California.

What makes Novolex unique

  • April 1, 2025 Pactiv Evergreen combination gave Novolex 250 brands and 39,000 SKUs.
  • Novolex spans plastics, fiber, molded fiber, and film across U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe.
  • Stan Bikulege built this platform through serial acquisitions, including Pactiv Evergreen in 2025.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Parental Leave

Wellness Program

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Tuition Reimbursement

Hybrid Work Options

Company News

Plastics News
Aug 5th, 2026
Novolex shuttering South Carolina thermoforming plant.

Novolex shuttering South Carolina thermoforming plant. August 05, 2026 11:31 AM EDT Novolex Holdings LLC, through its Pactiv LLC subsidiary, is closing another thermoforming plant, this time in southeastern South Carolina near Augusta, Ga. All Access Subscriber Exclusive North American resin markets have swung sharply back in buyers' favor - Polymer Points explains why prices are falling, what it means for virgin and recycled resins, and whether producers can make the next round of increases stick.

Packaging Gateway
Jun 25th, 2026
Novolex names new chief commercial transformation and strategy officer.

Novolex names new chief commercial transformation and strategy officer. Dan Debicella will work alongside Chuck Whittington, Novolex's chief transformation officer, who is due to retire. Packaging group Novolex has appointed Dan Debicella as chief commercial transformation and strategy officer. He will oversee the company's group-wide growth plan, help advance its commercial agenda and support integration work. Debicella will work alongside Chuck Whittington, Novolex's chief transformation officer, who is due to retire at the end of the year after more than 33 years at the company. Whittington will stay on during the handover period to support continuity in integration efforts. According to the company, Debicella will work with teams across the organisation to reinforce commercial functions and introduce more uniform sales processes, aiming to "accelerate" growth. Novolex CEO and chairman Stan Bikulege said: "Dan is a proven transformation leader who delivers measurable results. "He has strengthened commercial execution and scaled performance across multiple companies. He will sharpen our commercial capabilities and help us move faster, execute better and deliver stronger outcomes for our customers, employees and stakeholders." Debicella has more than 25 years of experience in transformation and growth roles in several industries. Most recently, he was president of the Graphics Solutions Division at SGS & Co. Before that, he oversaw enterprise strategy and commercial transformation efforts at Serta Simmons Bedding and Young's Market Company. Earlier in his career, Debicella worked at Bridgewater Associates, PepsiCo and McKinsey & Company on strategy and transformation programmes. Debicella said: "I am excited to join Novolex at a pivotal point in its growth journey. The company has a strong foundation, and I look forward to partnering with the team to accelerate growth, strengthen our commercial discipline and deliver sustained performance improvement." Give your business an edge with its leading industry insights.

Plastics News
May 14th, 2026
Novolex closing Hilex Poly plastic bag plant in Virginia.

Novolex closing Hilex Poly plastic bag plant in Virginia. May 14, 2026 12:14 PM EDT Novolex Holdings is closing a plastic bag manufacturing plant that's been operating for decades in Northern Virginia, a move that will put over 100 people out of work. All Access Subscriber Exclusive In this data center exclusive to All Access subscribers you'll find a list of family-owned plastics-related companies ranked in order of number of years in business.

Packaging Dive
Aug 20th, 2025
Novolex closing Pactiv Evergreen plant in California, affecting 127 employees

Novolex closing Pactiv Evergreen plant in California, affecting 127 employees.

Digital Commerce 360
Aug 12th, 2025
Novolex names a chief procurement officer

Novolex announced the appointment of James "JT" Jones as its new chief procurement officer, effective Aug. 11.