Area Operations Manager

POSITION PURPOSE: 

As a key member of the Milford Site Leadership team, the Area Operations Manager guides the manufacture of cooling towers, evaporative condensers, and closed-circuit coolers within the site. This role will drive the safe execution of site performance to customer quality and delivery expectations in a manner that meets productivity and cost commitments.  

This position will have accountability for multiple operations departments, which may include fabrication, welding, sub-assembly, assembly, and/or test. In addition to execution of production requirements, this role will drive continuous improvement activities into the daily standard work of the operations teams. 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES: 

• Supervise plant manufacturing operations including, but not limited to; sheet metal, fabrication, welding, coil fabrication, assembly, testing to safely meet productivity, cost, and quality targets. 

• Responsible for shop-related matters including health & safety, production, costs, quality, on-time delivery, equipment, process improvement (lean), asset maintenance, plant layout, sequence of manufacturing processes, personnel. 

• Drive execution to plant safety requirements through the use of behavior-based safety management: ensuring employees wear personal protective equipment; ensuring leaders/employees follow correct safety policy and procedures, and that proper training and awareness is provided. 

• Drives established production schedules by properly scheduling workforce and resources. 

• Actively promote professional development of supervisory team and key employees 

• Executes against standard processes and Key Performance Indicators (KPls) as defined in the global operating standard established in BAC Excellence (BAC-X). 

• Ensure high quality and pristine appearance of finished product prior to shipment. 

• Supervise compliance with Federal, State, Local and Plant environmental policies. 

• Initiate plans and processes which minimize manufacturing costs through effective utilization of workforce, equipment, facilities, materials, and capital. Assure attainment of business objectives and productions schedules while ensuring product standards that will exceed our customers’ expectations. 

• Establish team and individual objectives for continuous improvement and cost reduction.  

• Encourage adoption of new techniques and focus on fact-based problem solving. 

• Promote cross training and skills development of employees to enhance work force flexibility. 

• Manage spending within established budget with a focus on reducing costs by efficient labor use, achieving maximum product yield, maintaining efficient material usage while incurring minimum operating expenses. The incumbent is expected to recommend/implement changes which will improve upon these items.  

• Demonstrate sound interpersonal skills including the ability to build business relationships, provide recognition, and demonstrate integrity and high personal standards. 

• Performs other duties and projects as assigned by the Plant Manager. 

 KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS: 

• Minimum 10 years of manufacturing leadership, including a minimum of 2 years leading a team of 150 employees. 

• Proven experience creating strong teams and leading through change with the ability to lead and motivate others to action. 

• Strong organizational and planning abilities that produces results through strong execution. 

• Practical experience with lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and problem-solving techniques. 

• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills 

• Bachelor’s degree in business or engineering preferred. 

CRITICAL SKILLS & COMPETENCIES: 

• Critical thinking and problem solving 

• Planning and organizing 

• Financial and KPI / Business Acumen 

• Decision-making 

• Communication skills 

• Influencing and leading 

• Delegation 

• Teamwork 

• Negotiation 

• Conflict management 

• Adaptability 

NATURE & SCOPE: 

The Operations Manager reports directly to the Milford Plant Manager and will have daily interactions with the plant leadership team as well as other support organization roles within the Americas region. The Operations Manager will directly lead a team of Operations Team Leaders (Production Supervisors) and indirectly lead a team of 150-300 hourly employees. This role has significant interactions with all levels of the site organization and partners with Environmental, Health and Safety, Supply Chain, engineering, and Quality departments. 

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk up to 20% of the time. Working conditions include those of an office and plant environment. This is a normal manufacturing environment, with normal hazards associated with metal working equipment. This position requires occasional lifting of up to 30 lbs, and occasional travel up to 20% of the time.