The Operations Manager is responsible for leading manufacturing operations to ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective production of products that meet customer and business requirements. This role provides leadership across production operations and continuous improvement activities while partnering closely with planning, supply chain, engineering, quality, sales, and customer support teams to achieve operational objectives.

Reporting to the Site Leader, the Operations Manager oversees operational performance within a precision optics and photonics manufacturing environment. This role leads a team of supervisors and indirectly supports production leads and technicians while driving safety, quality, delivery, productivity, employee development, and continuous improvement across the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead daily manufacturing operations and production execution to achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, productivity, and customer satisfaction objectives, including attainment of production schedules and customer delivery commitments
• Provide leadership, coaching, accountability, and development for supervisors and their teams while fostering a culture of engagement and continuous improvement
• Develop and execute operational strategies that support business objectives, customer requirements, and long term growth plans
• Own operational performance metrics including safety, On Time Delivery, labor productivity, inventory accuracy, scrap, rework, and overall operational performance
• Drive operational excellence through Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 80/20, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Ensure appropriate staffing, equipment, and operational resources are available to support manufacturing requirements and changing business demands
• Partner with planning, supply chain, engineering, quality, sales, and customer support teams to align operational priorities, customer commitments, and business objectives
• Establish and maintain standard work, visual controls, and operational procedures that support consistent execution
• Lead employee development through training, coaching, succession planning, and performance management
• Develop and manage departmental budgets, resource plans, and cost reduction initiatives to support operational and financial objectives
• Ensure compliance with Environmental, Health, and Safety requirements, quality standards, customer requirements, company policies, and regulatory obligations
• Lead or support cross functional projects and carry out additional responsibilities as needed to support operational and business objectives

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing Management, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience
• Experience leading supervisors or other front line leaders in a manufacturing environment
• Experience managing production operations, planning, inventory, shipping, and operational performance
• Experience driving Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 80/20, or similar continuous improvement initiatives
• Experience utilizing JD Edwards (JDE) or similar ERP systems
• Experience working in cleanroom, ISO-regulated, semiconductor, photonics, optics, aerospace, defense, or other advanced manufacturing environments preferred

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, production management, and operational excellence principles
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies
• Understanding of production planning, scheduling, inventory management, and material flow concepts
• Strong leadership, coaching, employee development, and team-building skills
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities
• Ability to interpret operational data and implement effective corrective actions
• Ability to lead organizational change and drive adoption of new processes and operational initiatives
• Effective communication, collaboration, and influencing skills across all levels of the organization
• Strong organizational, project management, and prioritization skills
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance operational and financial objectives

Working Conditions & Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in a combination of office, cleanroom, and manufacturing environments
• Frequent interaction with production personnel and manufacturing operations
• Required use of personal protective equipment, which may include safety glasses, gloves, cleanroom gowning, and other required equipment
• Prolonged periods of standing, walking, and computer use
• Ability to lift and move materials up to 50 lbs as required
• Occasional travel may be required to support business needs

Additional Requirement:

Certain positions with IDEX Corporation and its business units require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations or the Export Administration Regulations. Applicants for these positions may need to be "U.S. Persons," as defined in these regulations. Generally, a "U.S. Person" is a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or an individual who has been granted refugee or asylum status.