Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs in Colton, CA

Location: Riverside, CA, US

Date Posted: 08-26-2026

Salary: $170,000 - $180,000 per year

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead and oversee day-to-day manufacturing operations for a growing manufacturing organization in Riverside, California. This is a hands‑on leadership position responsible for driving operational excellence, production efficiency, quality, safety, on‑time delivery, and cost performance. The ideal candidate is a proven manufacturing leader who understands the demands of a fast‑paced production environment and can effectively lead supervisors, production employees, and cross‑functional teams. The ability to communicate effectively in both English and Spanish is required, as the Operations Manager will work closely with a diverse manufacturing workforce. This position will partner with senior leadership, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and Human Resources to improve processes, develop employees, increase productivity, and support the company's continued growth.

• Lead daily manufacturing operations to achieve safety, quality, production, delivery, and cost objectives.
• Manage, coach, and develop supervisors, leads, and production personnel.
• Establish clear production priorities and ensure schedules and customer commitments are met.
• Monitor key performance indicators including productivity, labor efficiency, scrap, downtime, throughput, on‑time delivery, and overall operational performance.
• Identify production bottlenecks and implement corrective actions to improve workflow, capacity, and efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies.
• Develop and maintain standardized work processes, procedures, and operating practices.
• Partner with Engineering and Quality to resolve manufacturing issues, improve processes, and maintain product quality.
• Work closely with Planning, Purchasing, and Supply Chain to ensure appropriate material availability and production readiness.
• Monitor labor, overtime, scrap, material usage, and other operating costs to improve profitability.
• Participate in budgeting, workforce planning, capital equipment planning, and operational forecasting.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, OSHA requirements, safety procedures, quality standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, quality, and continuous improvement throughout the manufacturing operation.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, and employee development.
• Communicate operational goals, expectations, performance results, and improvement initiatives to employees at all levels.
• Serve as a visible presence on the manufacturing floor and provide hands‑on leadership when operational issues arise.
• Utilize ERP/MRP and other manufacturing systems to monitor production, inventory, scheduling, labor, and operational performance.
• Prepare and present operational reports and recommendations to senior management.
• Support new product introductions, equipment installations, process changes, and other strategic manufacturing initiatives.

• Bachelor's degree required in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing experience, with demonstrated leadership responsibility.
• Proven experience managing manufacturing operations, production teams, or plant operations.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required, with the ability to communicate effectively with both management and production employees.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production planning, scheduling, and workflow optimization.
• Demonstrated experience improving productivity, reducing waste, controlling costs, and increasing operational efficiency.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, 5S, Kaizen, or Six Sigma methodologies.
• Experience using an ERP/MRP system in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing KPIs and data‑driven performance management.
• Strong leadership, communication, coaching, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hands‑on, fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

• Experience in a high‑volume, multi‑shift, or rapidly growing manufacturing environment.
• Experience with ISO 9001 or other quality management systems.
• Experience with OSHA and workplace safety programs.
• Experience with budgeting, cost reduction, and operational forecasting.
• Engineering or technical manufacturing background.
• Experience leading continuous improvement or Lean transformation initiatives.
• Experience managing hourly production employees in a diverse workforce.

The ideal candidate is a bilingual manufacturing leader who is equally comfortable on the production floor and working with executive leadership. They should be hands‑on, highly organized, metrics‑driven, and capable of holding teams accountable while developing a positive and collaborative workplace culture.

The successful candidate will bring strong manufacturing knowledge, demonstrated leadership ability, and a track record of improving productivity, quality, safety, delivery, and cost performance.

Education + Manufacturing Leadership + Spanish/English Bilingual Skills are all required for this position.

We are a well‑established and growing manufacturing company specializing in engineered materials and high‑performance products for demanding industrial applications. Our organization combines technical expertise, engineering, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and a strong commitment to quality to deliver innovative solutions to customers across a variety of markets.

We operate in a hands‑on, collaborative environment where engineering, research and development, manufacturing, quality, and operations work closely together. Our employees have the opportunity to take ownership of meaningful projects, contribute ideas, solve complex technical challenges, and see their work progress from development through commercial production.

As the company continues to grow, we are investing in people, technology, product development, and manufacturing capabilities. We are seeking talented professionals who are looking for an opportunity to make a visible impact, work alongside experienced technical teams, and build a long‑term career within a growing organization.

You will have the opportunity to shape strategy, streamline operations, and build scalable systems in a company that values agility over bureaucracy. We offer a setting where your impact is visible, your ideas are heard, and your leadership helps guide long‑term growth—making it an ideal place for those seeking both responsibility and meaningful influence in a stable, essential‑services business.

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