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External Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc

NY · On-site

$126K - $206K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Manager, External Manufacturing (Operations Lead) to drive day‑to‑day execution, operational readiness, and world‑class performance across our Contract Manufacturing ...

Formic

Manufacturing Operations Manager

Aurora, IL

Automation Engineering works closely with customers, internal technical teams, and external ... As Manufacturing Operations Manager, you will play a critical role within Formic's Automation ...

MKB

Manufacturing Operations Manager

Portage, WI · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

MKB Company is seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of our Portage, Wisconsin facility. This role is ideal for an operational leader who enjoys being ...

Triumph Group

Manufacturing Operations Manager

Yakima, WA · On-site

$125K - $155K/yr

Manages and directs all activities related to production operations by performing the following ... external customers as to "as demonstrated" production, future rate loads, and capacity planning.

Onsemi

$53K - $69K/yr

Serving as the focal point between the External Manufacturing team and the Business Unit (BU), this ... project teams for operations management, programmanagement, and risk awareness ...

Framebridge

$110K - $120K/yr

Job Title Manufacturing Operations Manager Operations Manager Location: Henderson NV Who We Are At Framebridge, we are disrupting the custom framing market by replacing a cumbersome experience with a ...

Framebridge

Manufacturing Operations Manager

Henderson, NV · On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

Job Title Manufacturing Operations Manager Operations Manager Location: Henderson NV Who We Are At Framebridge, we are disrupting the custom framing market by replacing a cumbersome experience with a ...

Framebridge

Manufacturing Operations Manager

Henderson, NV · On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

Job Title Manufacturing Operations Manager Operations Manager Location: Henderson NV Who We Are At Framebridge, we are disrupting the custom framing market by replacing a cumbersome experience with a ...

Framebridge

Manufacturing Operations Manager

San Marcos, TX · On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

Job Title Manufacturing Operations Manager Operations Manager Location: San Marcos, TX Who We Are At Framebridge, we are disrupting the custom framing market by replacing a cumbersome experience with ...

Framebridge

Manufacturing Operations Manager

San Marcos, TX · On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

Job Title Manufacturing Operations Manager Operations Manager Location: San Marcos, TX Who We Are At Framebridge, we are disrupting the custom framing market by replacing a cumbersome experience with ...

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External Manufacturing Operations Manager information

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$41.5K

$102.3K

$149K

How much do external manufacturing operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for external manufacturing operations manager in the United States is $102,298.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,500.00 and $128,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an external manufacturing operations manager?

External Manufacturing Operations Managers are professionals responsible for overseeing the production activities conducted by third-party manufacturers or external suppliers. They ensure that outsourced manufacturing processes meet company standards for quality, cost, and delivery timelines. Their role often includes managing supplier relationships, monitoring compliance with regulations, and coordinating between internal teams and external partners to achieve business objectives. Effective External Manufacturing Operations Managers help optimize supply chains and mitigate risks associated with external production.

How does an external manufacturing operations manager typically collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to ensure production goals are met?

An External Manufacturing Operations Manager plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between the company's internal teams—such as quality assurance, supply chain, and product development—and external manufacturing partners. They regularly communicate with suppliers to align on production schedules, quality standards, and delivery timelines, while also coordinating internally to relay expectations and resolve issues. This role often involves leading cross-functional meetings, negotiating contracts, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives to ensure efficiency and compliance. Strong relationship management and problem-solving skills are essential to successfully navigate the complexities of outsourced manufacturing environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an external manufacturing operations manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an External Manufacturing Operations Manager, you need a strong background in supply chain management, manufacturing processes, and quality assurance, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related field. Familiarity with ERP systems, Lean/Six Sigma methodologies, and regulatory compliance standards is common, with certifications such as PMP or Six Sigma often valued. Exceptional negotiation, relationship management, and problem-solving skills help foster productive partnerships with external vendors and stakeholders. These competencies are vital for ensuring efficient production, maintaining product quality, and achieving business objectives through robust external collaborations.

What is the difference between External Manufacturing Operations Manager vs Production Supervisor?

AspectExternal Manufacturing Operations ManagerProduction Supervisor
ResponsibilitiesOversees external manufacturing partners, manages supply chain, ensures quality and complianceSupervises in-house production staff, manages daily manufacturing activities
CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, or related field; experience in supply chain or operationsBachelor's degree or diploma; experience in manufacturing or production
Work EnvironmentOffice-based with site visits to external facilitiesFactory or plant floor
Industry UsageCommon in pharmaceutical, biotech, and consumer goods industriesWidely used across manufacturing sectors

The External Manufacturing Operations Manager focuses on managing external partners and supply chains, ensuring quality and compliance across multiple sites. In contrast, the Production Supervisor oversees daily in-house manufacturing activities. Both roles require related credentials and are integral to manufacturing operations, but their scope and work environment differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to External Manufacturing Operations Manager jobs?

For External Manufacturing Operations Manager jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various External Manufacturing Operations Manager job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $102,298 per year, or $49.2 per hour.

Manufacturing Operations Manager

Chicago Heights, IL • On-site

Formic
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about Formicexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 14 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Build and uphold a culture of ownership, accountability, urgency, and continuous improvement

  • Lead daily standups and execution reviews to ensure priorities are clear, resources are aligned, and blockers are addressed quickly

  • Partner cross-functionally to align operational readiness with customer commitments and project timelines

Job description

Who we are:

Formic is on a mission to reshape American manufacturing by making automation accessible to every factory. As labor constraints rise, costs increase, and global competition intensifies, automation is no longer optional for manufacturers that want to stay competitive.

We deliver automation through a Robotics-as-a-Service model that combines industrial robotics, proprietary software, and full-service support into a single, integrated solution. By removing the traditional barriers of cost, complexity, and risk, we enable manufacturers to deploy automation quickly and realize measurable gains in throughput, safety, and operational efficiency without large upfront capital investment.

Backed by leading investors including Lux Capital, Initialized Capital, Blackhorn Ventures, and Mitsubishi HC Capital North America, Formic is scaling rapidly and building the foundation for a new era of high-performance, Made in America production.

About the team:

The Automation Engineering Team is responsible for delivering robotics-driven automation deployments across a wide range of customer applications. The team partners cross-functionally to translate customer requirements into deployed systems, ensuring solutions are integrated, commissioned, and validated to perform reliably in real manufacturing environments. Automation Engineering works closely with customers, internal technical teams, and external partners to ensure operations are on schedule and maintain high standards for quality, safety, and repeatability.

About the role:

As Manufacturing Operations Manager, you will play a critical role within Formic's Automation Engineering organization. You will be responsible for building the operational foundation that enables Formic to deliver automation solutions safely, efficiently, and at scale.

You will serve as a key operational leader within Formic's Bolingbrook facility, working closely with the rest of the Automation Engineering Team, Supply Chain, Fleet Operations, Product, Software, Solutions Engineering, and Project Management teams, you will coordinate resources, align priorities, and drive execution across the organization.

This role combines people leadership, operational excellence, and hands-on problem solving. You will develop technical talent, improve organizational effectiveness, establish scalable processes, and help create the structure and accountability required to support Formic's continued growth.

We're looking for a leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys building systems and teams, and is excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of industrial automation.

In this role you will: 

  • Serve as a key operational leader within Formic's Bolingbrook, Illinois facility, helping align priorities across engineering, inventory, logistics, and project execution activities
  • Build and uphold a culture of ownership, accountability, urgency, and continuous improvement
  • Lead daily standups and execution reviews to ensure priorities are clear, resources are aligned, and blockers are addressed quickly
  • Act as an escalation point for operational issues impacting execution, quality, or readiness
  • Drive accountability for operational performance, quality, safety, and organizational effectiveness
  • Partner cross-functionally to align operational readiness with customer commitments and project timelines
  • Collaborate with Supply Chain and Fleet Operations teams to ensure proper inventory levels, system availability, and future capacity requirements
  • Forecast organizational capacity and proactively identify resource constraints before they impact execution
  • Establish and improve SOPs, workflows, quality standards, and operational processes that support a scalable organization
  • Ensure systems are built, tested, staged, and prepared to meet Formic and customer quality standards
  • Track and improve key operational metrics including throughput, readiness, utilization, quality, and execution performance
  • Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, eliminate bottlenecks, and strengthen cross-functional collaboration
  • Partner closely with Product, Software, Solutions Engineering, Supply Chain, Fleet Operations, and Project Management teams to ensure successful execution across the automation lifecycle
  • Communicate operational priorities, risks, and capacity needs across stakeholder groups
  • Provide visibility into organizational performance, readiness, and operational health through regular reporting and reviews

What makes you a great fit:

  • 6+ years of experience leading operations, automation, manufacturing, engineering, or other technical teams in a fast-paced environment
  • Demonstrated success leading teams directly while influencing and driving results across cross-functional organizations
  • Experience working with industrial automation systems, robotics, or related manufacturing technologies
  • Experience with industrial robots or cobots such as FANUC, KUKA, Yaskawa, ABB, or Universal Robots preferred
  • Experience with end-of-line automation systems including palletizing, depalletizing, case packing, or related applications preferred
  • Proven ability to establish processes, develop SOPs, implement training programs, and drive operational improvements
  • Experience managing quality, safety, operational readiness, and on-time execution in a manufacturing, automation, or technical operations environment
  • Strong understanding of operational planning, resource allocation, capacity management, and performance metrics
  • A hands-on leadership style with a willingness to roll up your sleeves, solve problems, and support the team wherever needed
  • Strong judgment, ownership, attention to detail, and the ability to balance strategic thinking with day-to-day execution
  • Excitement for building teams, improving systems, and helping scale a rapidly growing automation company

Bonus points if you have:

  • Experience working for a robotics company, automation systems integrator (SI), original equipment manufacturer (OEM), or industrial technology organization
  • Experience scaling operations within a high-growth startup or rapidly growing organization
  • Experience supporting customer-facing deployments, installations, or field operations
  • Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or other continuous improvement methodologies
Our Total Rewards:

At Formic, we believe people do their best work when they feel supported both professionally and personally. That's why we offer a comprehensive benefits and perks package for full-time, U.S.-based team members, including:

  • Equity in Formic: Participate in our stock option program and share in the success of a fast-growing start-up backed by leading global investors
  • Competitive & Uncapped Commission Structure: Designed to reward performance and impact in commission-eligible roles
  • Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield and Unum, with 99% of employee premiums covered and 75% coverage for dependents, with optional buy-up plans available
  • Additional Insurance Benefits: FSA and DCFSA, life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability through Unum, all 100% employer-paid
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Fully funded by Formic, offering support when you need it most
  • Paid Parental Leave Program: Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave
  • Company-sponsored 401(k): Invest in your future with our company-facilitated retirement savings plan
  • Home Office Stipend: A one-time allowance for fully remote and hybrid employees to support an at-home or on-the-road work setup
  • Monthly Cell Phone Reimbursement: Monthly stipend toward personal phone and internet expenses
  • Flexible Time Off: Take the time you need, when you need it, supported by our flexible PTO policy
Compensation Philosophy

Formic's pay and equity packages are thoughtfully benchmarked against peer companies at a similar growth stage. Equity represents a meaningful part of our mutual investment: when Formic succeeds, so do you.

Final offers are customized based on experience, geographic location, market considerations, and a candidate's preferred balance of cash and equity. Our goal is to attract and reward top talent who will have significant impact, and we are open to thoughtful discussions to align on the right structure.

Compensation Range:
$140,000—$170,000 USD

What we look for: 

We're building this company from the ground up, and every person we hire has an outsized impact on our culture, performance, and trajectory. While each team member brings unique strengths and perspectives, we look for people who align with our Operating Principles and embody them in action. If this sounds like you, Formic may be the right place for you!

  • Fearless Optimism: You make bold bets and default optimistic. You believe in the mission, aren't paralyzed by risk, and fear inaction more than failure. You see ambiguity as opportunity and bring energy to building what doesn't yet exist.
  • Create the Magic: You absorb complexity so customers don't have to. Whether your customer is external or internal, you focus on delivering experiences that are clear, fast, value-added, and outcome-driven. You don't say "not my job." You make things work. 
  • Today, Not Tomorrow: You have a bias to action. You close the loop. You take extreme ownership. You understand that speed compounds, and you don't confuse activity with results.
  • Seek Truth: You think from first principles. You value data over ego and strong opinions loosely held. You're willing to challenge assumptions, including your own, in pursuit of the best answer.
  • Made of Rubber: You are resolute and adaptable. When things break or priorities shift, you rebound stronger. You treat setbacks as learning moments and move forward with grit.
  • One Formic: You operate without silos. You practice radical helpfulness, document clearly, and make clean handoffs. You assume positive intent and prioritize team success over individual credit.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

Formic is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, family or parental status, disability, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. All employment decisions are based on a person's merit, business needs, and role requirements. If you require further accommodations or have questions regarding accessibility of our roles, please reach out to careers@formic.co.

AI Use:

At Formic, fairness and transparency are at the heart of our hiring process. We use AI-powered tools in some interviews to help our teams evaluate candidate responses, but all final hiring decisions are made by humans. You can learn more about how AI is used in our recruitment process by reviewing our AI Hiring Disclosure linked here.