Plant & Manufacturing Operations Manager

Volumetric Technologies is seeking an experienced, hands-on Plant and Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead plant activities within our custom machinery manufacturing operation. This role is responsible for machining, welding, polishing, mechanical assembly, inventory management, production planning, facility maintenance, workplace safety, employee development, and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will coordinate employees, materials, equipment, suppliers, and production priorities to ensure machinery and replacement parts are completed safely, efficiently, on schedule, and to established quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing and Production Operations

• Direct daily machining, welding, polishing, assembly, inventory, and material-handling activities.
• Establish production priorities based on customer commitments, labor capacity, and material availability.
• Monitor machine builds, parts orders, project schedules, and production constraints.
• Coordinate with engineering, sales, service, and leadership to resolve operational issues.
• Maintain high standards for safety, quality, workmanship, productivity, and workplace organization.

Machining, Welding, and Assembly

• Oversee CNC and conventional machining, stainless-steel welding, fabrication, polishing, and mechanical assembly.
• Ensure components and completed equipment meet drawing, dimensional, finish, functional, and quality requirements.
• Resolve manufacturing, fit, alignment, material, and assembly issues.
• Coordinate outsourced machining and fabrication when required.
• Support machine testing, punch-list completion, factory acceptance testing, and shipment preparation.
• Reduce setup time, scrap, rework, downtime, and production delays.

Inventory and Material Management

• Lead receiving, storage, labeling, picking, issuing, cycle counting, and inventory control.
• Maintain accurate inventory transactions and material locations within the ERP system.
• Monitor shortages, overdue purchase orders, supplier performance, and material risks.
• Improve controls for project materials, work-in-process, service parts, and stocked components.

Facility, Equipment, and Safety

• Maintain the condition, organization, security, and efficient operation of the manufacturing facility.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance and repair of production equipment, shop tools, and building systems.
• Manage outside contractors and recommend capital equipment, tooling, and facility improvements.
• Ensure compliance with company safety policies and applicable workplace requirements.
• Address unsafe conditions and support safety training and incident investigations.

Employee Leadership and Cost Management

• Lead, coach, and develop machinists, welders, polishers, assemblers, and inventory personnel.
• Set expectations for safety, quality, productivity, teamwork, attendance, and accountability.
• Conduct production meetings, performance discussions, training, and cross-training.
• Participate in recruiting, onboarding, and employee development.
• Manage labor, overtime, tooling, maintenance, outside services, and plant operating expenses.
• Work with engineering to improve manufacturability, assembly efficiency, serviceability, and cost.

Qualifications

Required

• Ten more years of manufacturing operations leadership experience.
• Supervisory experience in machining, fabrication, assembly, industrial equipment, or custom manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of machining, welding, fabrication, mechanical assembly, production scheduling, and inventory control.
• Ability to interpret mechanical drawings, specifications, bills of material, and manufacturing documentation.
• Experience with ERP or manufacturing management systems.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to implement practical operational improvements.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing quality and workplace safety requirements.

Key Measures of Success

• Safe, organized, and productive plant operations.
• On-time production and customer delivery.
• Improved labor productivity and schedule adherence.
• Accurate inventory and reliable material availability.
• Reduced scrap, rework, shortages, and equipment downtime.
• Consistent product quality and customer satisfaction.
• Successful implementation and sustainability of operational improvements.
• Primarily based in a manufacturing, machine-shop, welding, assembly, and warehouse environment.
• Requires regular presence and interaction with employees on the production floor.
• Occasional travel may be required for supplier visits, customer installations, service support, or training.

Volumetric Technologies is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs.