Job SummaryThe Operations Manager is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of a manufacturing facility while ensuring a safe, efficient, and profitable operation. This role provides leadership and accountability across production, scheduling, materials, quality, maintenance, shipping, inventory accuracy, and workforce development. The Operations Manager ensures alignment with company objectives while driving safety, customer satisfaction, operational excellence, process discipline, and continuous improvement.
Safety is the highest priority. The Operations Manager is expected to foster a culture where every employee goes home safely every day while achieving operational, financial, and quality objectives.
The Operations Manager serves as the primary operational leader for the facility and works closely with Engineering, Project Management, Purchasing, Master Scheduling, Safety, Quality, and Executive Leadership to ensure successful execution of all business commitments.
Principle Duties and ResponsibilitiesSafety Leadership- Lead and promote a world-class safety culture throughout the facility.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, company safety policies, and all regulatory requirements.
- Conduct safety audits, facility inspections, and corrective action follow-up.
- Drive accountability for safety observations, near misses, and incident prevention.
- Partner with Health & Safety leadership to implement training and improvement initiatives.
- Ensure supervisors actively engage employees in daily safety conversations.
Production & Operations Management- Direct all manufacturing operations including production, assembly, finishing, warehousing, shipping, maintenance, and facility management.
- Ensure production schedules are executed efficiently while meeting customer commitments.
- Monitor plant capacity and labor utilization to maximize throughput and efficiency.
- Identify operational constraints and implement corrective actions to maintain schedule performance.
- Coordinate resources to support fluctuating workloads and cross-facility collaboration when necessary.
- Drive operational consistency through established processes and standard work.
Financial Accountability- Maintain ownership of facility financial performance.
- Manage labor efficiency, overtime, productivity, material usage, and waste reduction.
- Review and analyze operational KPIs, budgets, forecasts, and plant profitability metrics.
- Support inventory management initiatives to reduce excess and aged inventory.
- Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities without sacrificing safety, quality, or customer service.
- Participate in monthly financial reviews with the RDO/VP/Financial Team.
Quality Management- Establish and maintain a culture of quality throughout the facility.
- Ensure products meet company, customer, and industry standards.
- Lead corrective action investigations for quality concerns and customer complaints.
- Monitor quality metrics and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
- Partner with Engineering and Project Management to ensure project requirements are clearly understood and executed.
Scheduling & Project Execution- Work closely with Master Scheduling and Project Management to ensure successful project execution.
- Review production schedules and proactively identify risks.
- Ensure materials, labor, equipment, and engineering information are available before production begins.
- Maintain visibility of jobs at risk and develop recovery plans when needed.
- Drive schedule adherence and on-time delivery performance.
Inventory & Materials Management- Maintain inventory accuracy through cycle counts and audit programs.
- Partner with Purchasing to ensure material availability and timely procurement.
- Reduce obsolete, slow-moving, and excess inventory.
- Monitor inventory transactions and enforce ERP process discipline.
Leadership & People Development- Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and departmental leaders.
- Create a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
- Conduct performance reviews, development discussions, and succession planning activities.
- Identify future leaders and support career development opportunities.
- Foster open communication and employee engagement throughout the organization.
Maintenance & Facilities- Ensure facility equipment and assets are maintained for reliable operation.
- Support preventative maintenance initiatives and asset management programs.
- Drive continuous improvement in equipment uptime and manufacturing reliability.
- Oversee facility condition, organization, housekeeping, and regulatory compliance.
Continuous Improvement- Lead operational improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost.
- Utilize Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Analyze performance data and implement corrective actions to achieve operational goals.
- Promote innovation and best-practice sharing across facilities.
Regional Alignment- Participate in regular Operations Manager reviews with the Regional Director of Operations.
- Support company-wide operational initiatives and standardization efforts.
- Collaborate with other facilities to balance workload, share resources, and improve overall organizational performance.
- Assist with strategic planning, capacity planning, and business growth initiatives.
QualificationsEducation & Experience- Bachelor's degree in Business, Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, or equivalent experience preferred.
- Minimum 7-10 years of manufacturing leadership experience.
- Minimum 3-5 years managing multiple departments in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience in architectural millwork, retail fixtures, displays, woodworking, cabinetry, or related manufacturing preferred.
- Strong ERP/MRP experience required; Epicor/Kinetic experience preferred.
Knowledge & Skills- Strong leadership and team development skills.
- Excellent communication and conflict resolution abilities.
- Strong financial acumen and understanding of operational metrics.
- Advanced production planning and scheduling knowledge.
- Experience with inventory control and materials management.
- Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement experience preferred.
- Ability to analyze data and make sound business decisions.
- Strong organizational, project management, and prioritization skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and manufacturing business systems.
Performance MetricsThe Operations Manager will be measured on:
- Safety performance and incident rates
- Quality performance and customer satisfaction
- On-time delivery
- Schedule adherence
- Labor efficiency
- Overtime management
- Inventory accuracy
- Financial performance versus budget
- Productivity improvements
- Employee engagement and retention
- Development of supervisors and future leaders
- Continuous improvement initiatives completed
Leadership ExpectationsThe Operations Manager must:- Put Safety First in every decision.
- Lead with integrity and accountability.
- Develop people and build future leaders.
- Make decisions based on facts and data.
- Drive process discipline and operational consistency.
- Communicate openly and professionally.
- Support collaboration across all North American facilities.
- Balance customer expectations with operational capability.
- Promote a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Salary Pay Range: $120,000-145,000 annually dependent on experience
Bonus/Incentive Pay Annual performance bonus opportunity based on Company and specific business unit ROI and PBOP achievement criteria and individual job responsibility and performance.
Benefits currently offered to our employees:- Medical insurance
- Health savings account with company contribution
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Basic and voluntary life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Paid vacation and holidays
- Stock purchase program with employee discount
- Educational reimbursement
- Wellness programs and challenges
- Other supplemental benefits
