Operations Manager

Elite Engineering & Manufacturing, LLC is seeking an experienced, hands-on Operations Manager to run the day-to-day shop floor for our growing precision manufacturing business, reporting directly to the company President.

Elite is a precision manufacturing company built to support the most demanding industrial environments. We partner with leading high-tech companies to produce complex, high-mix components where precision, speed, and execution discipline are non-negotiable. Our work sits at the intersection of advanced machining, fabrication, and engineering collaboration, delivering parts that matter in industries where failure is not an option.

Headquartered in Santa Clara, Elite is a high-growth machine shop, providing mission-critical CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, and assembly services to customers in the semiconductor, aerospace, medical device, and other precision manufacturing industries.

This role will take ownership of daily shop operations such as production scheduling, capacity and machine utilization, on-time delivery, and quality/compliance. The right candidate is a true “wears many hats” operator: comfortable moving between the floor, paperwork, and people management, and able to keep the shop running smoothly day to day without needing constant direction.

The successful candidate will have hands-on manufacturing management experience, familiarity with AS9100 / ISO quality systems, and the people skills to hold a team accountable while keeping them motivated. A mechanical background and comfort on the shop floor are prerequisites.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Approximately $80,000 - $150,000 per year, commensurate with experience + annual performance bonus

• Own day-to-day management of the shop floor, including production scheduling, job flow, and machine/capacity planning across CNC machining, sheet metal, and welding operations.
• Hold employees accountable for productivity and conduct, including performance reviews, coaching, and disciplinary action when needed.
• Lead hiring, onboarding, and training for shop personnel; help identify and screen candidates for machinist, setup, and other floor roles.
• Own AS9100 / ISO quality system administration, including internal audits, documentation, and supplier/customer quality requirements (e.g. CMMC and other certification paperwork).
• Support estimating and quoting as needed, working with the estimating team to keep quote turnaround on track.
• Track orders, backlog, and shipment schedules, and proactively flag risks to on-time delivery.
• Oversee maintenance and reliability of machinery and equipment, and help evaluate capital equipment needs (e.g. new or used machine purchases).
• Manage outside processing relationships (e.g. plating, painting, laser/welding vendors) to keep parts moving on schedule.
• Ensure a healthy and safe working environment and compliance with applicable federal and state regulations.
• Identify and drive process improvements to reduce waste, rework, and cost, and to improve throughput.

• 8+ years of hands-on experience managing operations in a machine shop or precision manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of AS9100 and/or ISO quality systems; aerospace, semiconductor, or medical device manufacturing experience a strong plus.
• Demonstrated ability to run a shop floor day-to-day, including scheduling, personnel, and problem-solving, with minimal oversight.
• Strong people management skills, including experience holding employees accountable while maintaining morale.
• Comfortable wearing multiple hats across scheduling, quality, estimating support, and floor supervision.
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite and familiar with ERP/shop management systems (Knowledge of Job Boss/E2 MRP software is a plus).
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills; able to prioritize across multiple demands in a fast-paced environment.

• Regular presence on the shop floor is required.
• Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds at times.
• Must be able to quickly traverse manufacturing areas.
• Must be able to stand, bend, crawl, stretch, lay, and squat in order to maintain/inspect equipment.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer on occasion.
• Paid time off

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.