Functional Operations Manager Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

About Chandler Industries

Chandler Industries is a premier contract manufacturer specializing in precision machining, EDM, sheet metal fabrication, and a range of value-added services. We excel in providing exceptional value through responsive customer service, technical expertise, and innovative lean manufacturing practices. Our commitment to delivering world-class quality and on-time performance has made us a trusted partner for our customers. Chandler operates five divisions, including four in Minnesota—Blaine, Long Prairie, Montevideo, and Wyoming—and one in Lake Mills, Wisconsin.

Position Summary

Lead People. Advance Technology. Drive Operational Excellence.

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager – Machining who understands that outstanding manufacturing performance starts with strong leadership. This is a highly visible role for a leader who can develop people, build accountability, lead complex manufacturing projects, and bring strong CNC machining knowledge to the operation.

The ideal candidate combines exceptional people leadership with solid technical machining expertise and project management skills. You’ll lead the day-to-day machining operation while developing supervisors and employees, improving performance, introducing new products and technologies, and driving projects that strengthen our capabilities, capacity, quality, and efficiency. 

What You’ll Do

• Lead and develop people. Coach, mentor, and develop supervisors, leads, machinists, and support staff. Set clear expectations, provide meaningful feedback, recognize strong performance, and address performance issues effectively. 
• Build a high-performing team. Recruit, hire, onboard, develop, and retain talented employees while creating a culture of accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and employee growth. 
• Lead key manufacturing projects. Oversee projects involving new product introduction (NPI), machine upgrades, new manufacturing technologies, capacity improvements, and process optimization. Establish project priorities, coordinate resources, and keep initiatives on track to meet goals, timelines, and budgets. 
• Coordinate cross-functional execution. Bring together Operations, Engineering, Quality, Materials, Maintenance, suppliers, and customers as needed to successfully execute projects and new product launches. Ensure teams remain aligned on deliverables, responsibilities, timing, and results. 
• Provide machining leadership and technical direction. Apply strong knowledge of CNC machining and precision manufacturing to support the operation, troubleshoot machining and production issues, and help teams identify practical solutions. 
• Advance machining capabilities. Help evaluate and implement new machining equipment, technologies, tooling, and processes that improve productivity, quality, capacity, and competitiveness. 
• Drive operational performance. Ensure production schedules and customer delivery requirements are achieved while maintaining high standards for safety and quality. Improve KPIs including machine utilization, cycle times, productivity, throughput, and on-time delivery. 
• Champion continuous improvement. Lead Lean initiatives including setup reduction, 5S, standard work, value-stream improvements, Kaizen events, bottleneck reduction, and waste elimination. 
• Support successful NPI. Partner with Engineering, Quality, and Materials to ensure new and revised products transition successfully into production, including process flows, FMEAs, Control Plans, operator instructions, and other required documentation. 
• Manage the business. Effectively manage labor, capacity, resources, and departmental budgets while identifying opportunities to reduce costs and improve operational and financial performance. 

What We’re Looking For

You’re a people-focused manufacturing leader with strong machining credibility. You’re equally comfortable coaching a supervisor, working with a machinist to understand a production challenge, reviewing operational metrics, or leading a cross-functional team through a major equipment or NPI project.

You know how to get results through others, build consensus across departments, and move projects from concept through implementation. You bring the technical knowledge to ask the right questions and troubleshoot machining challenges without losing sight of the bigger picture—people, customers, quality, delivery, cost, and profitability.

Qualified candidates should bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in machining operations, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role.
• Strong technical knowledge of CNC machining.
• Familiarity with ISO or AS9100 standards.
• Demonstrated experience with lean manufacturing methodologies (Six Sigma certification is a plus).
• Proven project management experience, including successful completion of complex, cross-functional projects.
• Exceptional organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a focus on team development.
• Proficiency in using ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing software.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (i.e., Word, Excel, Power-Point). 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. 
• Ability to foster relationships amongst teams and departments.
• Knowledge of general industry OSHA regulations and environmental protection practices and employment law. 
• Ability to identify and evaluate complex, ambiguous business problems or technical issues and provide well thought out solutions. Proven problem solver who can build consensus and move the team to improvement.
• Ability to be a change agent with a desire to win and bias for action.
• Capacity to lead and motivate people and obtain results through others.
• A problem solver and solution provider. Self-directed.
• Highly self-motivated, performance and results driven with bias for action.
• This position requires use of information or access to hardware which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). All employees must be U.S. persons within the meaning of ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident, Political Asylee, or Refugee. 

Additional Skills and Experience (Preferred or helpful)

• Experience working in the Aerospace, Medical or other highly regulated industry.
• AS9100, 13485 and NADCAP experience.
• Knowledge of ERP software (Epicor).
• Lean/Sigma certifications desired. 

Pay Range Details

Compensation is determined based on a variety of factors related to the specific position. These may include skills, relevant experience, education, internal equity, business needs, and local market conditions. While the full range is shared for transparency, offers are rarely made at the minimum or maximum of the range.

Company Benefits

Chandler offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees and their dependents. This includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance; short- and long-term disability; a 401(k) plan with company match; and a range of supplemental benefit options. In addition, eligible employees receive paid holidays and paid time off.