Business Operations Strategy Manager

ROLE SUMMARY/PURPOSE:

Locke Solutions, a Best Places to Work winner and Aggie 100 honoree, is a premier provider of custom precast concrete solutions. Led by a two-time Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, we've also been recognized as Houston's #1 Fastest Growing Company. As we continue through an exciting period of rapid growth and expansion, we remain grounded in our purpose: To make our customers' lives easier and our employees' lives better.

Our culture is driven by our core values: Responsiveness, Teamwork, Taking Ownership, Get It Done Attitude, and Problem Solving. We are a team of smart, energetic, and driven individuals who are passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences, embracing innovation, and making a meaningful impact together.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Business Operations Strategy Manager serves as a strategic leader responsible for driving high-impact initiatives that support the company's long-term growth objectives. Reporting directly to senior leadership, this role partners across Operations, Engineering, Sales, and Business Excellence to develop and execute initiatives that expand operational capabilities, support capital investments, strengthen customer partnerships, and position the organization for continued growth.

This position provides leadership for major business initiatives including facility expansions, capital planning, new product development, technical project support, and strategic operational planning. Acting as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, the Business Operations Strategy Manager identifies opportunities to strengthen the organization's capabilities while leading complex cross-functional projects from concept through execution.

The ideal candidate combines operational expertise, technical knowledge, business acumen, and strong relationship-building skills with the ability to influence across departments and successfully execute strategic initiatives that create long-term value for the organization.

Key Result Area #1 - Strategic Growth & Capital Expansion

Successful Result:

Company expansion initiatives are successfully planned and executed to support long-term growth, operational capacity, and business objectives.

• Lead the planning and execution of facility expansions and strategic growth initiatives.
• Partner with executive leadership to develop long-term capital investment strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Oversee capital project planning, equipment selection, vendor coordination, budgeting, and project execution.
• Manage strategic expansion initiatives from concept through implementation while balancing cost, timeline, quality, and operational impact.
• Evaluate future capacity needs and recommend investments that support organizational growth and customer demand.
• Serve as a strategic advisor during expansion planning, ensuring projects align with long-term business priorities.

Key Result Area #2 - Business Operations Strategy

Successful Result:

Operational capabilities, infrastructure, and strategic initiatives are aligned to support business growth, customer needs, and long-term organizational objectives.

• Partner with leadership and operational teams to evaluate business needs and identify opportunities that support long-term growth and operational scalability.
• Lead strategic initiatives that enhance operational capabilities, expand capacity, and support the successful introduction of new products and services.
• Evaluate facility layouts, equipment needs, and operational workflows to support future expansion and business objectives.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, and Business Excellence to ensure strategic initiatives complement existing continuous improvement efforts while avoiding duplication of responsibilities.
• Identify operational risks, infrastructure needs, and resource requirements associated with growth initiatives and develop practical solutions.
• Provide operational and technical insight during strategic planning discussions to ensure initiatives align with customer requirements and organizational priorities.

Key Result Area #3 - Customer & Technical Leadership

Successful Result:

Strong customer partnerships and technical leadership contribute to successful project execution, customer satisfaction, and business growth.

• Build and strengthen relationships with key customers through technical expertise and strategic partnership.
• Serve as a technical resource on complex customer projects requiring specialized operational or engineering support.
• Partner with Sales and Operations to identify opportunities that expand customer relationships and drive business growth.
• Provide technical guidance during project planning, field execution, and problem resolution.
• Support development of new products and services that address customer needs and strengthen the company's competitive position.
• Represent the company with customers, partners, and industry stakeholders as needed.

Key Result Area #4 - Strategic Project Leadership

Successful Result:

Major cross-functional initiatives are successfully executed, delivering measurable business value and supporting the organization's strategic objectives.

• Lead high-priority strategic initiatives identified by executive leadership.
• Build alignment across Operations, Engineering, Sales, Business Excellence, and other departments to ensure successful project execution.
• Develop project plans, milestones, budgets, risk assessments, and executive status updates.
• Remove obstacles and facilitate collaboration to keep initiatives moving forward.
• Monitor project outcomes and ensure initiatives deliver measurable business results.
• Recommend future strategic initiatives that improve organizational capability and support continued company growth.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Operations Management, Business, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, engineering, industrial construction, operations, or a related industry.
• Demonstrated success leading capital projects, facility expansions, operational planning, or strategic business initiatives.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, engineering principles, industrial processes, and capital investment planning.
• Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives through influence rather than direct authority.
• Experience building strong customer relationships and supporting technically complex projects.
• Strong financial and business acumen with experience evaluating operational investments and business opportunities.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, strategic thinking, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple high-impact initiatives in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

Join Locke Solutions and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a rapidly growing organization. As the Business Operations Strategy Manager, you'll work alongside executive leadership to drive transformational initiatives, expand operational capabilities, strengthen customer partnerships, and help position the company for its next phase of growth. If you're energized by solving complex business challenges, leading strategic initiatives, and making a lasting organizational impact, we'd love to hear from you.