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Manufacturing Operations information

See Indiana salary details

$39.5K

$97.3K

$141.8K

How much do manufacturing operations jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for manufacturing operations in Indiana is $97,343.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,700.00 and $122,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in manufacturing operations, and why are they important?

To thrive in Manufacturing Operations, strong analytical skills, process optimization knowledge, and a background in engineering or industrial management are essential. Familiarity with manufacturing execution systems (MES), lean manufacturing tools, and quality control certifications like Six Sigma is highly valuable. Attention to detail, effective communication, and leadership are important soft skills for overseeing teams and ensuring smooth workflow. These competencies are crucial for improving efficiency, reducing costs, and maintaining high product quality in a competitive manufacturing environment.

What are some common challenges faced in a manufacturing operations role, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Manufacturing Operations often encounter challenges such as maintaining production efficiency, ensuring product quality, and minimizing downtime caused by equipment failures. Addressing these issues typically involves close collaboration with maintenance teams, implementing continuous improvement initiatives like Lean or Six Sigma, and staying proactive with preventive maintenance schedules. Clear communication with cross-functional teams and adapting to rapidly changing production demands are also key to overcoming these challenges while maintaining a safe, productive work environment.

What is manufacturing operations?

Manufacturing operations refer to the processes, systems, and activities involved in converting raw materials into finished products in a factory or production environment. This includes planning, organizing, and controlling production, managing machinery and labor, ensuring product quality, and optimizing efficiency and costs. Manufacturing operations are critical for meeting customer demand, maintaining safety standards, and ensuring products are delivered on time and within budget.
What are the most commonly searched types of Manufacturing Operations jobs in Indiana? The most popular types of Manufacturing Operations jobs in Indiana are:
What are popular job titles related to Manufacturing Operations jobs in Indiana? For Manufacturing Operations jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Manufacturing Operations jobs in Indiana look for? The top searched job categories for Manufacturing Operations jobs in Indiana are:
Manufacturing Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Manufacturing Operations job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,343 per year, or $46.8 per hour.

Director of Manufacturing Operations

Prevail Recruiting

Lafayette, IN • On-site

$90K - $135K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Director of Manufacturing Operations

Established Metals Manufacturer

On-Site | Full-Time | Leadership Role


About the Opportunity

Our client is a multi-generational, family-owned metal plating and finishing company with over 50 years of operating history. Known for reliability, technical capability, and long-standing customer partnerships, this organization serves electrical and industrial manufacturing clients in a complex, 24/7 production environment.


The business has built a reputation on trust, quality, and consistency. Now, it is entering its next phase of evolution.


We are seeking a Director of Manufacturing Operations to stabilize, professionalize, and re-accelerate performance — while preserving the culture and customer loyalty that has defined the company for decades.

This is not just a plant leadership role. It is an opportunity to run and shape a business with full ownership mindset — aligning people, process, and profitability in a legacy manufacturing environment.


The Role

The Director of Manufacturing Operations will serve as the senior operational leader of the facility, overseeing production, workforce management, financial performance, and customer execution.

This leader will bring structure, accountability, and commercial discipline while earning the trust of a tenured, close-knit team.


Success in this role means:

  • Improving throughput and lead times
  • Strengthening operational reliability
  • Building a healthy, accountable culture
  • Enhancing customer confidence and experience


Key Responsibilities:


Operational & Production Leadership

  • Lead 24/7 plating operations across multiple production lines (rack, barrel, high-mix jobs)
  • Improve throughput, reduce lead times, and increase scheduling clarity
  • Drive equipment uptime through preventative maintenance and ownership clarity
  • Improve coordination between quoting, scheduling, production, and customer communication
  • Maintain strict quality, safety, and compliance standards


Financial & Commercial Accountability

  • Own plant-level P&L performance
  • Diagnose job-level profitability by customer, line, and job type
  • Implement pricing discipline and surcharge mechanisms aligned with raw material volatility
  • Evaluate labor efficiency, overtime usage, and workforce strategy
  • Introduce clear financial dashboards connecting production metrics to margin performance
  • Partner with ownership on working capital and capital allocation decisions


Culture & Leadership

  • Clarify roles, decision rights, and accountability across teams
  • Build trust while setting firm expectations
  • Create visible operational wins and improve morale
  • Address performance issues respectfully but decisively
  • Stabilize and retain key technical and leadership personnel
  • Lead through influence — earning buy-in before driving change



What We’re Looking For:


Required Experience

  • Senior operations leadership experience in manufacturing or process-driven environments
  • Experience in metal-based, industrial, chemical, or production-heavy settings
  • Proven success stabilizing or turning around underperforming operations
  • Experience managing hourly, multi-shift workforces
  • Strong P&L ownership and cost management background
  • Demonstrated ability to balance people leadership with operational accountability


Preferred Background

  • Metal finishing, plating, or surface treatment
  • Metal stamping, machining, fabrication, or industrial coatings
  • Privately held or family-owned manufacturing businesses
  • Environments with cost volatility and high customer responsiveness demands


Core Traits

  • Calm, confident authority
  • Strong listener who processes complexity before acting
  • Systems thinker who simplifies chaos into priorities
  • Builder of trust and culture
  • Commercially intuitive and customer-centric
  • Comfortable making tough decisions with empathy


Why This Role Is Compelling

  • Join a stable, 50+ year-old, family-owned manufacturer
  • Lead a respected operation with deep customer loyalty
  • High visibility and influence with ownership
  • Opportunity to shape the next chapter of the business
  • True operational ownership — not just maintenance leadership
  • Strong long-term growth potential


Compensation & Benefits

  • Competitive base salary (commensurate with experience)
  • Performance-based incentive structure
  • Comprehensive benefits package
  • Health, dental, vision coverage
  • Retirement plan
  • Paid time off
  • Long-term leadership opportunity within a stable organization