System Operations Manager Jobs in Kelso, WA (NOW HIRING)

Location: Woodland, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Company: Topper Industries

Topper Industries is a leading manufacturer of custom aluminum gangways, floating dock systems, access platforms, and engineered marine infrastructure serving commercial, industrial, waterfront, and government customers across North America.

Unlike high-volume manufacturers, nearly everything we build is engineered-to-order. Every project presents unique challenges, requiring close collaboration between engineering, operations, procurement, fabrication, and customers to deliver high-quality solutions.

As we continue to grow, we're looking for a Business Operations Manager who wants to help lead the next phase of our business.

As Topper continues to grow, we're looking for an operational leader who can help scale the business while maintaining the responsiveness, quality, and customer focus that define our success.

Working directly with executive leadership, you'll help align engineering, procurement, fabrication, logistics, and project management to ensure projects are executed efficiently and the business continues to improve. You'll play a key role in driving operational performance, removing obstacles, implementing scalable processes, and leading cross-functional initiatives that support both our customers and our long-term growth.

This role offers significant autonomy, broad exposure across the organization, and the opportunity to make a measurable impact on the future of the business.

• Lead execution across engineering, purchasing, fabrication, production, logistics, and project management.

• Ensure projects move efficiently from order through manufacturing and final delivery.

• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement practical, long-term solutions.

• Drive accountability across departments while balancing customer expectations, production schedules, and business priorities.

• Partner with executive leadership on operational strategy, resource planning, and capacity management.

• Improve communication, workflows, and processes that increase efficiency and scalability.

• Monitor key operational metrics and identify opportunities to improve performance, quality, and profitability.

• Support and develop leaders while fostering a culture of ownership, collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability.

• Champion safety, quality, and operational excellence throughout the organization.

We're looking for someone who enjoys building businesses—not just managing projects.

The ideal candidate is a confident decision-maker who thrives in fast-paced environments, enjoys solving complex operational challenges, and naturally brings teams together to accomplish common goals.

• 5+ years of leadership experience in manufacturing, fabrication, industrial equipment, engineered-to-order (ETO), or custom manufacturing environments.

• Experience leading cross-functional teams across engineering, production, purchasing, logistics, or operations.

• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, production planning, project execution, and operational best practices.

• Proven track record of improving processes, increasing operational efficiency, and driving organizational performance.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to make sound decisions, prioritize effectively, and execute with urgency.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field preferred, or equivalent leadership experience.

• Take ownership and accountability for results.

• Enjoy solving operational challenges and improving how businesses operate.

• Thrive in environments where priorities evolve and no two days look the same.

• Build strong relationships across departments while holding teams accountable.

• Think strategically but aren't afraid to roll up your sleeves and help solve problems.

• Want to grow into broader operational or business leadership over time.

At Topper, you'll have the opportunity to make a visible impact on a growing company known for delivering high-quality, engineered solutions across North America.

You'll work alongside experienced leadership, influence key business decisions, and help shape the systems, processes, and teams that will support our continued growth. If you're looking for a role where your ideas matter, your leadership is valued, and your career can grow alongside the business, we'd love to hear from you.