Shift Manager Jobs in Kentucky
Shift Manager jobs in Kentucky are consistently in demand, with strong hiring in food service, retail, logistics, and manufacturing industries that anchor the state's workforce. Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green are the largest hiring centers, where employers like Yum! Brands, Amazon, and Toyota have deep and ongoing needs for experienced shift managers. The most sought-after specialties include quick-service restaurant operations, distribution center management, and retail floor supervision. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Department Manager, Molding FLSA STATUS: Exempt
REPORTS TO: Manager, Manufacturing
SUMMARY
Manage a fast paced 5 day/ 24 hour, tier one, class A surface, automotive injection molding department with 40 injection molding machines and a team of mold techs, utilities, and supervisors. Three supervisors (one per shift) report to the department manager. The manager is responsible for daily production with on time delivery and quality to the downstream departments of paint and assembly.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
The Production Department Manager – Molding is responsible for the following major tasks:
- Meets performance objectives for safety, productivity, machine operational availability, change over time, scrap, and delivery
- Manages proper staffing and machine loading
- Ensures proper training of all employees and mentors supervisors and other key personnel to maintain a competent workforce
- Fosters team cohesiveness, moral, and motivation and a culture of excellence by acting as a hands-on accessible leader who facilitates collaboration and cooperation across all shifts
- Sets a proper safety example, encourages a safety mindset and awareness, ensures corporate and industry standard safety practices are followed, and ensures 5S (cleanliness) is maintained
- Ensures machines and auxiliary equipment are maintained
- Collaborates with the plant molding engineers, and tooling and maintenance departments on continuous improvement to reduce scrap, reduce cycle times, improve machine operational availability, and improve productivity
- Collaborates with the plant lean manufacturing team on inventory levels and lean manufacturing tools and practices with the focus of eliminating waste
- Supports new launches with samples, optimizing processes, end of arm tooling, internal packaging, and justifying new equipment
- Adherence to TS16949 standards and procedures.
- Other duties as assigned.
- College engineering degree
- Five years experience as an engineer in a molding
- Two years supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment
- Outstanding leadership, team building, coaching and decision making abilities
- Independent thinking with strong analytical and problem skills is essential
- Ability to communicate clearly and professionally both verbally and in writing at all levels in the organization
- Proven organizational and planning abilities that produce results through execution
- Firm, fair and consistent approach to company policy and employee managements
- High energy level and ability to lead and motivate others
- Current comprehensive technical and hands on knowledge of scientific injection molding process, molds, robotics and robotic programming, end of arm tooling, auxiliary equipment, and central material handling systems.
- PLC knowledge and understanding of specifications for infrastructure required to support a molding department (process and chilled water, electrical, compressed air, material handling system ) is preferred
- Experience with Wittmann robots, Krauss Maffei and Van Dorn molding machines is preferred
Possesses the ability to gather and analyze information and make decisions from a limited number of choices.
- A minimum score of 50 on the Wonderlic Select Assessment (Traditional Score of 26 on the cognitive portion).
This position typically does not require any travel.
DISCLAIMER
The information contained in this job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor are they intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Agreement to complete all post-hire required training.
See All 120+ Shift Manager Jobs in Kentucky
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Find Shift Manager JobsShift Manager Jobs by City in Kentucky
Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Shift Manager Job Market in Kentucky
A snapshot from current Kentucky openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- McDonald's13

- Dairy Queen13

- Checkers & Rally's Drive-In Restaurants10

- Arby's9

- Sonic Drive-In6

What Kentucky Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in shift manager jobs across Kentucky.
- At least one to three years of supervisory or team lead experience in a relevant industry
- Demonstrated ability to manage scheduling, labor costs, and shift coverage independently
- Food Handler Certification or Kentucky-recognized ServSafe credential for food service roles
- Strong working knowledge of OSHA safety standards and Kentucky workplace compliance requirements
- Proficiency with point-of-sale systems, inventory software, or warehouse management platforms
- High school diploma or GED required, with associate or bachelor's degree preferred by larger employers
Shift Manager Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a shift manager in Kentucky?
Most shift manager roles in Kentucky are earned through demonstrated floor-level experience rather than a state-issued license, though food service positions often require a Kentucky-recognized food safety credential such as ServSafe. Employers typically promote from within after candidates prove reliability in hourly or team lead roles. A high school diploma is the baseline, and completing an associate degree in business or operations management strengthens your candidacy at larger employers like distribution centers or regional retail chains.
Which companies hire shift managers in Kentucky?
Employers hiring shift managers in Kentucky right now include McDonald's, Dairy Queen, and Checkers & Rally's Drive-In Restaurants, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Kentucky's concentration of manufacturing plants, fast-food corporate headquarters, and regional distribution hubs means openings are steady year-round across multiple industries.
Which Kentucky cities have the most shift manager jobs?
Louisville, Lexington, and Florence lead Kentucky for shift manager openings. Louisville dominates due to its dense retail corridors, UPS Worldport hub, and food and beverage industry presence, while Lexington's healthcare and retail sectors drive strong demand, and Bowling Green benefits from Toyota's manufacturing campus and a growing logistics corridor along Interstate 65.
Are there remote shift manager jobs in Kentucky?
Yes, but they're rare. Shift management is fundamentally an on-site role requiring direct oversight of staff, operations, and physical environments. About 0% of shift manager openings tied to Kentucky are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those that exist tend to involve back-office scheduling coordination or remote operations monitoring rather than traditional floor supervision duties.
How can I get hired as a shift manager in Kentucky with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is starting in an hourly team lead or crew trainer role at a high-volume employer, then moving into shift management after demonstrating reliability. Large Kentucky employers like Kroger, McDonald's franchisees, and Amazon fulfillment centers in Louisville and Shepherdsville run structured advancement programs for associates who show leadership potential. Earning a food safety credential or completing a supervisory skills course at a Kentucky Community and Technical College System school gives candidates a concrete edge when applying.
Where can I find and apply to shift manager jobs in Kentucky?
You can find and apply to shift manager jobs in Kentucky on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring across the state right now. Search the listings for roles that match your experience level and preferred industry, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 120+ Shift Manager Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Shift Manager Jobs