Senior Manager, Manufacturing Operations

At Badger Meter, we're more than a leading global water technology company - we're innovators with a mission: to preserve and protect the world's most precious resource. For over 120 years, our trusted solutions have enabled our customers to optimize the delivery and use of water, maximize revenue and reduce waste. Every employee at Badger Meter is an important part of our success.

Here, your work doesn't just move a business forward - it shapes a more sustainable future. We are committed to building a workplace where we celebrate differences, empower voices, and encourage fresh ideas that drive innovation.

When you join us, you'll find:
Purpose-driven work that makes a real difference in communities around the globe. Career growth and development opportunities designed to help you achieve your potential. A supportive, inclusive culture where collaboration and creativity thrive.

Be part of something bigger. At Badger Meter, your contributions will ripple far beyond the workplace - creating lasting change for people and the planet.

The Senior Manager, Manufacturing Operations is responsible for leading Production Operations, Production Control, Inventory Management, and Shipping & Receiving functions. This role oversees production planning, scheduling, material flow, inventory management, warehouse operations, and manufacturing execution to ensure customer demand is met while achieving safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity objectives. This leader will drive operational excellence through workforce development, process improvement, capacity planning, and data-driven decision making while building scalable systems that support future growth.

Provide strategic leadership for Production Operations, Production Control, Inventory Management, and Shipping & Receiving functions. Build, develop, and maintain high-performing teams through coaching, performance management, succession planning, and organizational development. Establish departmental goals, KPIs, and operating standards aligned with business objectives. Own production planning, scheduling, schedule attainment, and capacity management processes to ensure customer demand and operational priorities are achieved. Drive schedule attainment, on-time delivery, inventory performance, labor efficiency, throughput, and cost performance across operations.

Ensure effective execution of production control, work order management, inventory management, warehouse operations, and material flow activities. Partner with Engineering, Procurement, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to ensure material readiness and manufacturing success. Monitor operational performance through KPIs, dashboards, and reporting tools, driving accountability and timely corrective actions. Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, material flow, waste reduction, and operational excellence.

Foster a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, customer focus, and continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with company policies and operational standards.

Bachelor's Degree in Operations, Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Organizational Leadership, Psychology, Human Resources, or a related field; equivalent leadership experience may be considered. 7+ years of progressive leadership experience within manufacturing, operations, logistics, military, supply chain, production, project management, or related operational environments. Demonstrated experience managing performance through KPIs, metrics, and continuous improvement initiatives. Experience leading cross-functional teams and driving organizational change.

Lean Six Preferred Manufacturing operations experience. Production control, inventory management, or logistics experience. Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement training and or certifications. PMP certification.

Demonstrated ability to lead and develop supervisors, managers, and cross-functional teams in a fast-paced operational environment. Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, production planning, inventory management, logistics, and material flow. Proven success improving operational performance through KPIs, data-driven decision making, and continuous improvement initiatives. Experience utilizing ERP/MRP systems to support production scheduling, inventory control, and operational reporting. Strong…