Operations Manager

Our client, a well-known manufacturing organization serving the aerospace, defense, and industrial markets, is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead manufacturing operations at its Wisconsin facility.

• Provide leadership, direction, and oversight of manufacturing operations to ensure production goals, quality standards, delivery commitments, and financial objectives are achieved.
• Lead and develop production supervisors and operational teams, establishing clear expectations, accountability, and performance goals.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean Manufacturing, process optimization, and cycle-time reduction.
• Oversee production planning, scheduling, shipment forecasting, and inventory management to meet customer requirements.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), including on-time delivery, quality, safety, productivity, and manufacturing costs.
• Promote a culture of quality ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Planning, Supply Chain, and Maintenance to improve operational performance.
• Develop and manage departmental budgets, resources, and operational plans.
• Oversee facility maintenance, plant layout, capital equipment investments, and facility improvement projects.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Analyze operational performance, identify improvement opportunities, and provide regular reporting to senior leadership.
• Support recruiting, hiring, employee development, performance management, and succession planning.

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline preferred.
• 7-10 years of progressive manufacturing or production management experience, including supervisory responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing supervisors and manufacturing teams.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, production scheduling, staffing, safety, and maintenance.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Total Quality Management (TQM), and ISO standards.
• Demonstrated success driving continuous improvement and improving operational performance.
• Experience with project management, budgeting, and resource allocation.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across all levels of an organization and with customers.
• Strong leadership, organizational, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and manufacturing systems.
• Experience in aerospace and defense, electronics, PCB, medical device, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Lean or Six Sigma training and hands-on continuous improvement implementation experience.