Manufacturing Operations Manager

Position Overview

The Manufacturing Operations Manager is responsible for directing daily production activities to ensure consistent performance across quality, efficiency, delivery, and safety. This role focuses on planning, coordinating, and leading the manufacture of electronic, mechanical, and electromechanical sub-assemblies, assemblies, and integrated systems within regulated manufacturing environments. The position drives operational excellence through cross-functional leadership, structured processes, and continuous improvement initiatives aligned with business objectives.

Core Responsibilities

Operations Leadership

• Plan, execute, and monitor production activities to achieve performance targets related to output, quality, cost, and delivery.
• Lead day-to-day operations in a low-to-medium volume, high-mix manufacturing environment to meet production schedules and customer commitments.
• Optimize utilization of labor, equipment, and materials to maintain efficient workflow and capacity balance.

People Management & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop manufacturing supervisors and production teams.
• Conduct performance reviews and support professional development and succession planning.
• Foster a culture focused on accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Identify, prioritize, and implement process improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, TQM, and related tools (e.g., value stream mapping, root cause analysis, and standardization).
• Drive reductions in waste, cycle time, and variation while increasing throughput and productivity.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, constraints, and opportunities for optimization.

Quality, Compliance & Safety

• Ensure manufacturing operations meet quality standards, regulatory requirements, and industry certifications.
• Partner with Quality and Safety functions to address nonconformances, corrective actions, and preventive measures.
• Maintain a safe workplace through policy enforcement, training, and routine audits.

Cost, Asset & Resource Management

• Manage operational budgets and monitor cost performance; identify and execute cost-reduction initiatives.
• Oversee production-related procurement and inventory to ensure availability while minimizing excess and obsolescence.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Maintenance to maximize equipment uptime, reliability, and utilization.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Work closely with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, and Logistics teams to align manufacturing execution with business priorities.
• Support new product introductions, process qualifications, and production ramp-ups.
• Communicate operational performance, risks, and KPIs to senior leadership.

Performance Metrics

• On-time delivery (OTD)
• Production throughput and operational efficiency
• First-pass yield and quality performance
• Cost per unit and cost-reduction achievements
• Equipment downtime
• Customer return and defect rates
• Employee engagement, retention, and turnover
• Safety metrics (e.g., incident rates, lost-time events)

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 7–10+ years of progressive manufacturing operations experience in a low-to-medium volume, high-mix environment, including at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Prior experience supporting electronics, mechanical, or electromechanical assemblies and system-level manufacturing is strongly preferred.
• Role requires eligibility to access export-controlled technical data in accordance with applicable regulations.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, production planning, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proven leadership and people management capabilities.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems, manufacturing execution systems (MES), product lifecycle management (PLM) tools, and data-driven performance management.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced production environment.

Work Environment

• Hands-on role requiring regular presence on the manufacturing floor as well as office-based planning and reporting activities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. All applicants are entitled to understand their rights under federal employment laws. For more information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the U.S. Department of Labor.