Operations Manager Molding Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Business Development 

• Develop relationships with customers to identify key technical champions within customer organizations 
• Standardize approach to managing programs and production requirements within individual strategic accounts 
• Produce technical articles and content to promote Protolabs’s production capabilities 
• Provide consultative design for injection molding services to customers with an emphasis on long-term scalability and quality
• Seek project outcomes which satisfy customers' needs in a time and cost-effective way for both the customer and Protolabs 
• Support the development of long-term programs with our customers that produce sustainable growth and revenue
• Assist Sales, Marketing, and Product Management in communicating Protolabs's production capabilities to our customers 
• Synthesize patterns in customer needs to determine potential paths towards standardized offer expansions 

Project Definition 

• Development of documentation and/or software tools to support production project planning, organization, and execution 
• Develop criteria (triggers) and processes for informing/approving high-value projects in alignment with business capacity and strategy 
• Analyze and communicate manufacturing design feasibility and scalability directly to customers via email, phone call, video call, etc. 
• Assess customer and industry specifications, drawings, procedures, purchasing documents, etc. 
• Utilize project management tools to define resources required, solutioning process steps, and documentation of project plans within specified project timelines 
• Prepare custom documentation for customers and internal teams outlining our scope of work to be performed 
• Perform holistic manufacturing costing to determine appropriate pricing for individual projects or programs 
• Advocate for customer project requirements, evaluate corresponding manufacturing capabilities, and seek productive compromises 

Order Management & Execution 

• Create views, tools and approach to tracking active customer production projects 
• Own communication mechanisms and strategy for keeping leadership and other stakeholders informed on status of the production pipeline including all relevant details on volumes, revenue impact, risks, issues, etc.
• Determine and set up manufacturing execution plans for high complexity projects 
• Develop custom tools and workflows to support projects as needed 
• Maintain real-time project status for active projects, understanding any risks, issues, dependencies or barriers to delivery as committed 
• Manage and evaluate sample builds, iterative tooling, or other internal exploratory projects necessary to achieve customer requirements 
• Work with Protolabs's vendors to communicate downstream requirements, risks, and delivery schedules 
• Support the organization and the customer in resolving post-sales disputes on production projects 
• Fulfill other tasks in order execution not covered by other standard job roles as appropriate 

Collaboration 

• Work with additional customer-facing teams to define the vetting process and communication responsibilities 
• Partner with Applications Engineering, Technical Operations, and Customer Service to determine the optimal customer experience with Protolabs as an organization for individual projects 
• Work with all internal manufacturing departments to determine capacity and requirement commitments that achieve customer outcomes while not disrupting overall business 
• Communicate with Quality to navigate requirements based on Quality Policies, Quality Agreements, Work Instructions, Industry Standards, and Protolabs's potential corresponding commitments to customers within these frameworks 
• Support Engineering in scope development of projects which require additional research and development 
• Work with Logistics and Scheduling to manage customer delivery schedules for long-term projects 
• Maintain records of potential and ongoing opportunities for management review 
• Collaborate with fellow team members to share perspectives and experiences from past work and projects 

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business administration, project management, or related field, OR any bachelor’s degree + 3+ years’ experience in injection molding or technically similar professions
• 5+ years in manufacturing or injection molding technical role 
• 3+ years’ experience managing cross-functional projects with a focus on positive customer outcomes 
• A proactive and customer-focused mindset, with a solution-oriented approach to improving customer satisfaction and business outcomes 
• Out-of-the-box solutioning for our customers going beyond standard production processes 
• Exemplary technical knowledge of injection molding operations and end-use production solutions 
• Excellent project management skills with experience in coordinating complex projects 
• Superior communication and collaboration skills, capable of interfacing effectively across multiple departments to drive impactful positive outcomes 
• Demonstrated ability to develop professional relationships with internal and external customers 
• Ability to drive increased business through cultivating relationships with customer champions  
• Must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of injection molding part design, materials, and DFM 
• Proficiency with CAD software such as SolidWorks 
• Ability to read, understand, and write technical specifications and statements of work 
• Must demonstrate an ability to read engineering drawings, including GD&T 
• Competency in preparing technical documentation for customers on an individual project basis, as well as generally supporting industry growth through marketing initiatives and writing white papers 
• Capacity to provide high level support to Sales and Marketing towards growth of production business broadly 
• Ability to collect, interpret, and present data 

• 7+ years relevant experience
• Experience working in an ISO13485 or AS9100 compliant production facility
• Customer-facing manufacturing program management experience
• PMP or equivalent project management training

• We offer a competitive salary and total rewards package
• We offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:
  • Health Insurance: Traditional OR High Deductible plan
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Health Savings Account (including employer contributions)
  • Dental and Vision
  • Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
  • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
  • Paid caregiver leave
• You will receive at least 3 weeks of PTO + Wellness + Holiday Pay + Volunteer Hours
• 401k with company match and immediate vest
• Employee Stock Purchase Program at a discounted rate
• Matching grants through Protolabs foundation
• And More!