Our client, located near O’Hare Airport, is seeking an Operations Manager to help develop and execute the General Manager’s vision and strategy for this $70 million complex assembly-ready hydraulic and pneumatic components manufacturer. Our client has multiple locations within a five-mile radius of its headquarters. The Operations Manager will manage all operations for the manufacturing facility, reporting directly to the GM. This leadership position is responsible for setting the direction and achieving results throughout the operations team. This position must partner with other functional areas, customers, and suppliers to align operational activities with established business objectives and product/customer requirements in alignment with the company’s culture, core values, LEAN, and a safety-first approach.

Responsibilities

• The Operations Manager will report to the VP of Operations and have budgetary responsibility and oversight of all manufacturing operations while managing the machining plant operations to meet the production schedules, and quality standards in a complex low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment for internal and external machine-to-print customers. In addition, this role will be responsible for employment decisions, performance reviews, and the overall development of subordinates.

• The Operations Manager will be encouraged to "think outside of the box" to create new ways of functioning in all areas, including but not limited to the manufacturing processes, planning, and people management. The ideal candidate will be extremely comfortable routinely interacting with other management staff, key customers, support personnel, and plant associates, in a highly relational manner. We are looking for an individual who is a highly driven leader looking to take his/her career to the next level and beyond. A Lean and Six Sigma practitioner, who is determined to ensure that the organization is world-class and determined to meet the highest standards of quality. The ideal candidate will be a person of action, who will work shoulder to shoulder with his/her employees, if necessary - someone who is highly organized and knows how to get things done on time and within budget.

• The Operations Manager will have seven (7) direct reports, including Team Leaders responsible for production. In total there are currently 75 individuals reporting to this role, including, 8 indirect, and 1 salaried subordinate who are within the Operations Manager’s sphere.

• The Operations Manager will lead the plant organization to develop/reapply and implement systems, equipment, and work processes that deliver consistently high-quality product (under 500 PPM), and on-time (over 90%) at expected cost outcomes. They will mentor, lead, and train managers and supervisors, providing direction on leadership, people development skills, and behavior relevant to company values, policies, procedures, and performance standards.

• They will have primary responsibility for plant capacity utilization, setting and delivering production commitments while working closely with Production Planning. They will also champion and maintain a safe working environment and ensure that work practices are maintained.

• In addition, this role will maintain company-sponsored professional growth and development opportunities for plant personnel, while ensuring that annual performance reviews are completed for all plant personnel regularly. They will provide ongoing performance feedback and coaching to his/her organization and ensure daily, weekly, and monthly results review processes are in place and functional.

• They will conduct monthly plant meetings (Safety, LEAN, and scorecard reviews) with all plant personnel and keep the VP of Operations, VP of Engineering, and the Company President informed of his/her plant’s priorities, resource needs, and help needed to ensure that the desired results are delivered. This role will also reinforce the company's culture of continuous improvement, promoting communication, shared learning, intelligent risk-taking, creative problem-solving, and overall associate accountability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering preferred: Mechanical, Industrial or Manufacturing Technology. An advanced degree is a plus.

• Must have 10 years of experience in Manufacturing and Engineering Management in a low-volume, high-mix environment.

• Minimum of 7 years of experience directly managing people. Proven track record of successful leadership utilizing team-oriented management styles and lean learning techniques.

• Six Sigma Black Belt with the influence to empower change for continuous improvement preferred. A passion and ability to truly engage people at all levels of an organization.

• Ability to effectively communicate to all levels of management and outside sources.

• Must be able to effectively delegate, integrate, and work collaboratively with other departments.

• Proven leadership and interpersonal skills are a must.

• Demonstrated grasp and understanding of plant financial reporting is required.