Operations Manager-Interim / Future-Continuous Improvement Specialist

Position Overview

We are a growing custom manufacturer serving multiple industrial markets, with a significant focus on the defense sector. Our operations span approximately 70,000 square feet with a growing team.

We are seeking a Production Operations Manager-Interim to join our Custom Contract Manufacturing Group to provide operational leadership during planned leave of our Operations Manager . Following the return of the Operations Manager, this position will transition to continuous improvement, process optimization, manufacturing technology, and process engineering initiatives.

This position is designed for someone who enjoys both leading people and solving technical and operational problems and wants to build a career at the intersection of manufacturing leadership, technology, and continuous improvement; therefore, particularly well-suited to an experienced manufacturing leader, manufacturing engineer, engineering technologist, production specialist, or technically oriented manager who wants to combine operational leadership with hands-on process improvement.

During the initial assignment, the successful candidate will have manager-level autonomy over operational responsibilities, including production scheduling, production coordination, facility infrastructure, maintenance, and production support including logistics.

As the organization transitions back to its normal operating structure, you will have the opportunity to apply your manufacturing experience to increasing technical challenges involving process improvement, productivity, new equipment, capacity, and manufacturing technology within the continuous improvement focus.

Production Operations

• Work closely with Production Supervisors to establish priorities.
• Manage production schedule per client, capacity (labor/equip center), supplier constraints.
• Monitor production performance, schedule attainment, capacity, and operational constraints.
• Resolve issues (bottlenecks, constraints, others) that threaten safety, quality, or delivery.
• Coordinate priorities with Production, Maintenance, Support, Quality, and other functions.
• Maintain clear communication and escalation processes across the operation.
• Support a culture of accountability, ownership, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Support development & implementation of solutions for improved production flow and capacity.
• Work with supervisors to optimize workforce and equipment utilization.

Infrastructure

• Work closely with Maintenance to prioritize equipment and facility infrastructure.
• Coordinate planned maintenance activities around production requirements.
• Monitor equipment availability, downtime, and recurring equipment problems.
• Work with Supervisors to identify opportunities for improved equipment reliability and utilization.
• Participate in equipment upgrades, facility improvements, and capital projects.

Future - Continuous Improvement Focus

Responsibilities transition to become the following.

• Analyze processes and develop future-state process models.
• Establish process governance, standards, and best practices for lean manufacturing.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and facilitate corrective actions.
• Identify operational inefficiencies and develop improvement plans.
• Ensure process scalability and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Drive process automation and new technology opportunities.
• Collaborating with IT and business stakeholders for system enhancements.
• Coordinate testing, implementation, and change management activities.
• Support digital transformation initiatives and enterprise system deployments.
• Develop standardized work methods and operational frameworks.
• Manage cross-functional improvement and systems integration projects.
• Develop project plans, timelines, and resource requirements.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement and change adoption.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, operations management, or a minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in manufacturing, including supervisory and/or management roles such as operations supervisor, plant supervisor, or similar positions.
• Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating manufacturing activities.
• Experience with production scheduling, capacity planning, or workflow coordination.
• Demonstrated ability to lead people and coordinate activities across multiple functions.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• A practical, hands-on approach to solving operational problems.
• Process mapping, data analysis and performance measurement
• Strategic thinking and problem solving
• Ability to analyze production metrics and use them to make informed decisions.
• Ability to motivate and manage effective teams.