Operations Manager Job Perham Minnesota USA,Manufacturing / Production

An established manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead a large-scale production operation in the Detroit Lakes/Perham area. This is a highly visible leadership opportunity overseeing approximately 200 employees through frontline supervisors and team leaders. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in manufacturing operations, Lean/Continuous Improvement, and people leadership, with the ability to improve operational performance while developing the next generation of frontline leaders.

This position offers a strong long-term career path as they promote within.

Responsibilities

Lead day-to-day operations for a manufacturing area of approximately 200 employees
Provide leadership and direction to frontline supervisors, team leaders, support staff, and production employees
Establish expectations and drive accountability for safety, quality, productivity, delivery, and cost performance
Develop, coach, and mentor supervisors and team leaders
Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on eliminating waste, improving flow, increasing productivity, and reducing costs
Utilize Lean tools including value stream mapping, line balancing, flow improvement, visual management, and structured problem-solving
Identify operational bottlenecks and develop solutions to improve throughput and manufacturing performance
Monitor key performance indicators and communicate results, opportunities, and action plans
Partner with cross-functional teams on production planning, forecasting, new product introductions, and operational execution
Identify and prioritize resources needed to achieve annual operating plans and budgets
Drive improvements in scrap, rework, labor efficiency, productivity, and overall manufacturing costs
Foster a positive employee environment by listening to employees, addressing concerns, and supporting career development
Promote a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement
Support the transition of new products, processes, and technologies into manufacturing
Participate in project reviews, performance meetings, and operational planning activities
Work closely with site leadership to achieve overall plant objectives

Desired Skills And Experience

Bachelor's degree in Operations, Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or a related field
10+ years of progressive manufacturing/operations experience
Demonstrated progression in leadership responsibility, ideally from supervisor through manager-level roles
Experience leading large-scale manufacturing operations through frontline supervisors and team leaders
Lean Six Sigma experience;
Green Belt required, Black Belt preferred
Proven track record of leading continuous improvement initiatives
Experience with operational planning, forecasting, production execution, and performance management
Strong understanding of manufacturing safety, quality, productivity, cost, and delivery metrics
Ability to work effectively in a structured, matrixed organization
Strong communication, problem-solving, coaching, and employee-development skills
Ability to build relationships with frontline employees while maintaining accountability for performance