Operations Manager

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Manufacturing - Indirect Full Time Akrofire, Lenexa, KS, US

3 days ago Requisition

Akro Fire is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee daily operations, drive operational performance, and lead continuous improvement initiatives. This position is responsible for ensuring efficient, cost-effective operations while maintaining high standards of quality, safety, and compliance.

The ideal candidate will have strong leadership, project management, and operational experience, with the ability to develop teams, improve processes, manage resources, and execute strategic initiatives in a manufacturing environment.

About Akro Fire: Akro Fire delivers high-temperature insulation, fire protection, and thermal barrier solutions for aerospace and industrial customers. Our products support safety, performance, and compliance in mission-critical environments.

Our extensive product portfolio includes elastomeric seals, gaskets, tooling, hoses, ablatives, survivability tiles, coatings and tapes, EMI and thermal shielding, electrically conductive metalized fabrics, and encapsulated O-rings.

At Akro Fire, employees work in a dynamic, quality-driven manufacturing environment where craftsmanship, innovation, and continuous improvement are central to our success.

Oversee daily operations to ensure efficiency, consistency, and cost-effective performance.

Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with company goals and objectives.

Establish and maintain operational policies, procedures, and performance standards.

Identify operational risks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.

Lead cross-functional initiatives to support business objectives and continuous improvement.

Communicate priorities, policies, action items, and operational updates through tiered meetings and presentations.

Lead, coach, and develop production technicians, quality control technicians, and salaried direct reports.

Establish clear performance expectations, goals, and accountability measures.

Support workforce planning, staffing, succession planning, and employee development.

Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and engagement.

Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching and feedback.

Address operational challenges and employee concerns in a timely and professional manner.

Communicate effectively with employees at all organizational levels, from executive leadership to production technicians.

Lead cultural change and organizational transformation initiatives.

Build strong relationships with customers, business leaders, and key stakeholders.

Develop and support individual development plans for direct reports.

Establish, monitor, and improve key performance indicators (KPIs) and operational metrics.

Analyze data from ERP, timekeeping, quality, and other systems to identify trends and improve decision-making.

Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing scrap, rework, traceability issues, and takt time while increasing production output.

Utilize process mapping and engineered solutions to improve operational efficiency.

Evaluate equipment, systems, and processes and recommend capital expenditures (Cap Ex) when appropriate.

Drive measurable improvements in productivity, quality, and overall operational performance.

Develop and manage operational budgets, forecasts, and capital expenditure requirements.

Monitor expenses and identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.

Analyze financial and operational performance against established standards.

Allocate resources effectively to support business priorities.

Partner with cross-functional teams to improve profitability, reduce variances, and shorten cycle times.

Ensure compliance with applicable safety, environmental, regulatory, and industry requirements.

Identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks.

Conduct operational reviews, audits, and performance assessments.

Implement corrective actions and mistake-proofing solutions to prevent recurring issues.

Promote a safe, compliant, and productive manufacturing environment.

5+ years of…