Workforce Operations Manager Jobs in Manitowoc, WI

Summary

The Operations Manager is responsible for leading and directing mechanical and electrical assembly, shipping and receiving, testing, maintenance, and continuous improvement activities. This role ensures safe, efficient, and profitable operations while maintaining the highest standards of quality, customer satisfaction, and on-time delivery.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Direct and coordinate manufacturing operations, assembly, electrical panel building, machine wiring, testing, and commissioning activities.
• Develop and execute operational strategies to improve productivity, quality, efficiency, and profitability.
• Ensure production schedules are achieved while maintaining customer delivery commitments.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) including productivity, labor efficiency, scrap, quality, safety, and on-time delivery.
• Lead production planning meetings and collaborate across departments to establish priorities.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop supervisors, technicians, electricians, assemblers, and support staff.
• Establish performance expectations and foster a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct employee coaching, training, and performance evaluations.
• Support workforce planning, recruitment, retention, and succession planning initiatives.

Quality Management

• Ensure products meet company quality standards and customer specifications.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective action activities.
• Partner with engineering and quality teams to implement process improvements.
• Promote a culture focused on quality at every stage of production.

Safety & Compliance

• Champion workplace safety and ensure compliance with OSHA and company safety policies.
• Conduct regular safety walkthroughs and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Promote safe work practices for electrical systems, machinery, and manufacturing equipment.
• Ensure compliance with applicable electrical and manufacturing standards.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives, as needed.
• Identify process bottlenecks and implement solutions that improve throughput and efficiency.
• Analyze operational data to drive decision-making and continuous improvement efforts.
• Manage capital improvement projects and equipment upgrades.

Financial Responsibility

• Develop and manage operational budgets.
• Monitor labor utilization, overtime, inventory levels, and production costs.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction without compromising safety or quality.
• Support annual planning and strategic growth initiatives.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Industrial Technology, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.

Experience

• 7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• 3+ years of management experience within machinery manufacturing, automation, or industrial equipment industries a plus.
• Experience with custom machine building, packaging machinery, or automated systems preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams in a manufacturing environment.

Technical Knowledge

• Industrial electrical systems.
• Electrical schematics and panel design.
• ERP/MRP systems.
• Lean Manufacturing principles.