Associate Operations Manager Jobs in Maine (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary:

The Manager, Value Capture Operations is a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for overseeing daily production activities across multiple manufacturing cells, ensuring operational excellence in Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC) through effective planning, execution, and continuous improvement using lean methodologies and the Ensign-Bickford Operating System (EBOS).

This position leads a team of Production Technicians and Leads, driving performance, engagement, and accountability while aligning operations with broader strategic goals. The ideal candidate is a proven leader with strong logistical, planning, and problem-solving skills, capable of managing complex manufacturing environments and delivering results.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Leadership & Strategy:

• Lead daily operations across multiple production cells ensuring SQDC targets are met.

• Utilize EBOS tools and principles to drive continuous improvement and breakthrough performance.

• Develop and execute strategic plans aligned with the Strategy Deployment Process (SDP).

• Manage the value stream's budget and KPIs and communicate performance metrics to leadership.

• Collaborate cross-functionally to align priorities and ensure shared goals are achieved.

Production & Capacity Management

• Develop and maintain production schedules, balancing production capacity with required shipment dates while minimizing inventory.

• Lead the daily visual management process, including visual boards for real-time tracking.

• Conduct monthly labor and equipment capacity assessments.

• Present forward-looking capacity plans and identify bottlenecks at SIOP (Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning) meetings.

• Create and release shop orders in ERP (IFS preferred), ensuring accurate inventory and documentation.

• Oversee inventory cycle counts and ensure material replenishment strategies are effective.

• Support new product transfers and production change requests.

• Quickly identify production quality issues beyond the resolution capacity of your team and partner with the Quality and R&D teams to root cause and countermeasure to optimize production up-time.

• Coordinate with facilities and engineering for preventive maintenance.

Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving

• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for systemic issues.

• Drive Kaizen initiatives and foster a culture of operational excellence.

Leadership & Talent

• Promote a culture of safety, quality, anddeliveryexcellence across all operational functions.Lead with authenticity and empathy to build trust, open communication, and psychological safety.

• Develop and mentor high-performing teams, driving industry leading engagement and retention while simultaneously holding the team accountable to high productivity standards.

• Execute performance management processes including goal setting, coaching, feedback, and development planning.

• Further accelerate team performance by hiring top talent, when applicable, and addressing low/lower performers.

• Be a perpetual student of the Ensign-Bickford Operating System (EBOS) tools and foster training and professional development of the same for all associates of the Value Capture value stream.

• Manage talent resources for capacity and execute capacity planning.

• Work with Supply Chain to establish and maintain stocking strategies and effective material Kanban / material replenishment. Ensure proper material issuances and production reporting to ensure floor stock accuracy for team.

• Create and release shop orders in ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system. Complete final review before placing material into inventory. Verify that production batch records are complete

• Following established safe work practices and working in a safe manner, following EnviroLogix safety policies and procedures, and for reporting any unsafe or hazardous condition to their supervisor or the Environmental, Health, and Safety department for corrective action.

• This role will at times be expected to directly participate in the EnviroLogix production process. While not a primary responsibility, this is a standard expectation in the Operations team to support seasonality spikes.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Operations Management, Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Supply Chain, or Business Administration. Equivalent military or professional experience considered.

• Minimum 2 years in an operations leadership role.

• Strong planning, organizational, and communication skills.

• Experience with ERP systems (IFS preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Project, PowerPoint).

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage multiple priorities, and deliver results.