Job Manufacturing Management Trainee

Overview

At ADS, no idea is off limits, and we celebrate creativity and bold moves. For more than 50 years ADS has been manufacturing a variety of innovative and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional materials. Headquartered in Hilliard, Ohio, we are a multi-billion dollar stormwater management company, manufacturing pipe and ancillary products. What does that mean? When it storms, we capture rain with our drain basins, convey it with pipe, store it using chambers and finally treat it with our water quality products, before safely returning water back to the environment. We handle, what we call, the entire lifecycle of a raindrop. Our products help prevent flooding, which increases quality of life for people living in large cities, suburbs, and rural towns. We also believe in creating a circular economy and are the largest plastic recycling company in North America. We use plastic shampoo and detergent bottles to create pipe, diverting over 500 million pounds of plastic from landfills every year. ADS operates a global network of over 60 manufacturing plants and 30 distribution centers.

We have amazing stories to tell, and we need your help getting our story out there.

Responsibilities

The ADS Manufacturing Management Trainee will participate in an 18-month structured training program which includes overall plant operations, safety, quality, service, productivity, administrative and financial performance, employee development, staffing, project management and annual operating budget preparation.

Trainees will be required to relocate at 9-month rotation intervals during the program and must be willing to relocate to one of the locations in our network upon completion of the program.

This opportunity gives Management Trainees the skills needed to grow a career as future senior leaders in manufacturing. The program is designed to develop leadership and functional skills in our actual manufacturing plants. This training experience is designed to promote rapid growth through hands-on experience in key plant operations. The diverse rotations include Material & Quality Management, Production, Safety, Inventory & Logistics, Project Management, Financial & Human Resources Management. This program allows trainees to grow and learn in an accelerated development program designed to lead to a full-time Management position within 18 months. Skilled instructors, mentors, and senior leaders engage with Management Trainees throughout the program which sets them up for long-term leadership success.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

• Proactively manage and navigate a comprehensive training plan and coordinate with plant leadership teams to execute training tasks
• Through on-the-job training learn and perform the various manufacturing and yard positions, including supervisory roles
• Leverage background and education to make suggestions and implement ways of working that leads to process improvements at the rotation location
• Identify, prepare and implement solutions on a small, medium and large scale that positively improves efficiency, safety and/or culture in the manufacturing environment.
• Identifies, builds and implements large-scale network-wide solutions for real work challenges.
• Ability to prepare, present and gain alignment of identified strategic initiatives from senior leaders with the purpose of implementing scalable on solutions that drive improved results.
• Learn and perform the various management positions in the plant to include, Production Manager, Quality Manager, Yard Manager, Inventory Manager and Freight Manager roles
• Learn plant financial and human resource management processes
• Learn key safety & quality management processes and techniques
• Demonstrate a solid understanding of overall plant operations; including manufacturing, inventory & logistics and customer service
• Learn key predictive and preventive maintenance strategies and techniques
• Actively participates and acts as a member of the plant management team
• Successfully acts and has the authority to lead as a backfill for leader absences
• Participate in various continuous improvement projects
• Provide leadership and set an example for other employees
• Learn, understand and practice ADS CORE VALUES

Ideal candidate should possess these job skills:

• Ability to multi-task with excellent time management skills
• Strong Computer skills and applications (internet, Microsoft Office Suite)
• Quick learner with Initiative and self-discipline
• Strong interpersonal skills and problem solving skills
• Ability to effectively communicate and problem solve with customers
• Ability to communicate with different levels within the organization
• Leadership skills
• Strong decision making skills

Education:

• Four year business or technical degree, with 0 to 2 years experience in a manufacturing or industrial work environment preferred

Company Benefits:

Health & Welfare Benefits: Medical and prescription drug plans, telemedicine (with medical plan), dental and vision plans, virtual physical therapy*, an employee assistance program (EAP)*, and voluntary accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnification programs.

Financial Benefits: Retirement 401k program with company match, an employee stock purchase plan (voluntary), financial wellness planning*, paid parental leave*, flexible spending accounts (FSA) for child care and health care, short-term and long-term disability*, basic life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)*, adoption financial reimbursement*, tuition reimbursement*, voluntary life insurance (for employees, spouses, and children), and voluntary identity theft and fraud protection.

*100% paid by ADS.

Why Join ADS?

Growth Opportunities & Global Presence: With a global network of approximately 70 manufacturing plants and 40 distribution centers, ADS offers extensive opportunities for career growth and development in various locations around the world.

Inclusive and Creative Work Culture: ADS fosters a culture of passion, innovation, and continuous improvement, empowering employees to shape industry-leading solutions. We value diverse perspectives, recognizing that they drive better ideas, processes, and performance. Our workplace is built on respect, inclusivity, and shared responsibility, ensuring every team member feels valued and contributes to our collective success.

Innovative & Sustainability Focused: Advanced Drainage Systems is one of the largest plastic recyclers in North America, ensuring over half a billion pounds of plastic is kept out of landfills every year.

EEO Statement

ADS supports an inclusive workplace that values diversity of thought, experience, and background. We celebrate the power of our differences to create better solutions for our customers by ensuring employees can be their authentic selves each day. ADS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, creed, status with regard to public assistance, genetic status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.