Operations Manager - Paducah, KY
Worthington Enterprises · Paducah, KY
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Production
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Metals
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
A management production role at Worthington Enterprises (metals) in Paducah, KY. The Operations Manager is responsible for the overall performance of a 24/5 manufacturing operation , ensuring excellence in safety, quality, customer service, employee engagement, and financial performance.
- They ask for
- 10+ years
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Production Engineer roles in Kentucky: typical posted base $143k–$280k.
Median of the low and high ends of 4 live postings that list pay, out of 24 production engineer openings in Kentucky, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Kentucky plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 23 other live production postings in Kentucky.
- Experience asked
- Typical (10+ years)
Similar roles usually ask 10+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Team leadership 67%
- EHS / safety 42%
- Root cause 33%
- New product launch 29%
- Lean 25%
- SAP 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at Worthington Enterprises
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Worthington Enterprises in Paducah
1 other open role at this site.
- Maintenance Technician (2nd shift or 3rd shift) · Reliability · Technician
Full description from Worthington EnterprisesAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Qualifications
- ✓5-10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
- ✓Previous experience leading plant operations in a manufacturing environment.
- ✓Experience managing a 24/5 manufacturing or continuous production operation strongly preferred.
- ✓Proven success developing leaders, building engaged teams, and creating organizational capability.
- ✓Demonstrated ability to manage operating budgets, capital investments, and overall plant financial performance.
- ✓Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, production planning, quality systems, inventory management, and continuous improvement.
- ✓Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- ✓Ability to make sound business decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- ✓Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP/MRP systems (Oracle experience preferred).
What Success Looks Like
The successful Operations Manager is a visible and approachable leader who builds trust with employees at every level of the organization. They develop future leaders, create a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, and consistently deliver strong results in safety, quality, customer service, employee engagement, and financial performance. They understand that leading a 24/5 manufacturing operation requires strong communication, disciplined execution, and the ability to inspire teams across every shift.
Worthington Enterprises is proud to foster an inclusive workplace where employees are empowered to innovate, grow, and contribute their unique strengths. Your talents may be a fit for this role or other opportunities across our organization—apply today to explore your potential. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the application and hiring process; if you need assistance using our careers website, please contact careers@wthg.com.
Worthington Enterprises is a designer and manufacturer of market-leading brands that improve everyday lives by elevating spaces and experiences. The company operates with two primary business segments: Building Performance Solutions and Trade & Specialty Solutions. Our deeply held Philosophy is rooted in the Golden Rule – we treat our customers, employees, investors and suppliers as we would like to be treated.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Worthington Enterprises is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead our Paducah, KY manufacturing facility. As the senior leader on site, the Operations Manager is responsible for the overall performance of a 24/5 manufacturing operation , ensuring excellence in safety, quality, customer service, employee engagement, and financial performance.
This role provides leadership across all aspects of plant operations, including production, maintenance, engineering, quality, scheduling, inventory, human resources, and continuous improvement. The ideal candidate is a visible, hands-on leader who develops people, builds strong teams, and drives operational excellence while fostering a culture aligned with the Worthington Philosophy.
Operational Leadership
- •Lead all aspects of a 24/5 manufacturing operation to safely deliver high-quality products on time and in the most cost-effective manner.
- •Drive operational excellence by improving productivity, quality, efficiency, and overall plant performance.
- •Ensure customer expectations are consistently met through effective production planning, scheduling, and execution.
- •Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
- •Maintain accurate inventory and optimize operational processes to improve efficiency and service.
People Leadership
- •Build, develop, and lead a high-performing leadership team and engaged workforce.
- •Coach, mentor, and develop supervisors and employees while creating meaningful opportunities for growth and advancement.
- •Develop bench strength and succession plans to ensure leadership continuity across all shifts.
- •Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, respect, and continuous learning.
- •Partner closely with Human Resources to support hiring, employee development, performance management, and employee engagement.
Safety & Quality
- •Champion a culture where safety is the highest priority and every employee is committed to working safely.
- •Ensure compliance with all environmental, safety, and regulatory requirements.
- •Drive quality improvements and implement sustainable corrective actions that improve customer satisfaction.
Financial & Business Leadership
- •Manage plant operating costs while identifying opportunities to improve productivity and profitability.
- •Develop and manage annual operating budgets, capital expenditure (CapEx) projects, and financial plans.
- •Analyze plant financial performance and use key business metrics to make informed operational decisions.
- •Lead the facility in achieving operational and financial goals while supporting overall business objectives.