Operations Manager

Operations Leader – CNC Manufacturing

This role leads end-to-end operations in an CNC manufacturing environment, driving strategic initiatives that improve production efficiency, reduce costs, and elevate overall plant performance. The position oversees daily manufacturing activities, ensures adherence to quality and regulatory standards, and builds a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across operations, warehouse, and maintenance teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute operational strategies that align with organizational goals and long-term objectives.
• Lead initiatives to enhance production efficiency, optimize resource utilization, reduce operating costs, and improve overall plant performance.
• Oversee day-to-day manufacturing operations, ensuring production schedules are met and processes run smoothly and efficiently.
• Ensure strict adherence to quality standards, regulatory requirements, and industry certifications throughout all production activities.
• Provide strong leadership to operations, warehouse, and maintenance teams, setting clear expectations and leading by example.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across all operational functions.
• Mentor, coach, and develop team members to strengthen their technical skills, leadership capabilities, and overall performance.
• Implement and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to monitor operational performance and plant effectiveness.
• Analyze operational data and trends to identify performance gaps, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and implement corrective actions and improvement plans based on data-driven insights to achieve operational excellence.
• Assist in managing maintenance activities in coordination with the Maintenance Department to minimize unscheduled downtime.
• Maximize utilization of planned downtime through effective maintenance planning and scheduling.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations, embedding best practices into daily operations.
• Promote a strong culture of workplace safety, encouraging safe work habits and proactive hazard identification.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Quality, Finance, HR, Sales, and other departments to ensure alignment and effective communication.
• Support cross-functional initiatives that improve production processes, scheduling, and supply chain performance.
• Contribute to budgeting and financial planning activities, including monitoring operational costs and supporting P&L management.
• Drive and sustain lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives across the manufacturing environment.
• Lead and manage change effectively, ensuring new processes, tools, and improvements are adopted and sustained by the teams.

Essential Skills

• 5–10 years of proven experience in operations management within manufacturing or a similar high-precision industry.
• Strong understanding of CNC machining, production processes, scheduling, and supply chain dynamics.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing and developing a diverse operations, warehouse, and maintenance team.
• Strategic thinking capability with a track record of driving operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret operational data and make sound data-driven decisions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated bias toward action and the ability to effectively manage change in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards, including manufacturing standards.
• Experience in budgeting and/or profit and loss (P&L) management.
• Intermediate proficiency with Windows and MS Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in operations management and production management in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in maintenance improvement and operational management, with exposure to maintenance planning and coordination.
• Experience in lean manufacturing, including implementing process improvements and waste-reduction initiatives.
• Project management and program management skills to lead operational improvement projects from concept to completion.
• Supervisory experience in a manufacturing setting, including performance management and team development.
• Manufacturing engineering exposure and understanding of production workflows and tooling requirements.
• Proven ability to work within a continuous improvement culture, using metrics and KPIs to drive performance.
• Strong general management skills, including prioritization, delegation, and stakeholder communication.

Why Work Here?

Join a highly technical manufacturing environment where operational excellence, continuous improvement, and safety are core values. You will work with cross-functional teams in Engineering, Quality, Finance, HR, and Sales, gaining broad exposure and the opportunity to influence key business outcomes. The culture emphasizes collaboration, accountability, and professional growth, offering the chance to mentor and develop teams while shaping strategic initiatives that directly impact performance. This environment supports data-driven decision making, encourages innovation, and values leaders who take ownership and drive meaningful change.

Work Environment

The role is primarily based within the production plant and office areas, providing direct, hands-on engagement with manufacturing operations and equipment. Work is performed in alignment with quality standards, including vision requirements consistent with AS 9100 standards. The position involves physical activity, including the ability to lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds and to stand for at least 95% of the scheduled shift. At times, the role requires stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, twisting, bending, and grasping to move and set tools, equipment, and related materials. The environment is fast-paced, safety-focused, and centered around precision manufacturing and continuous operational improvement.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Grand Rapids, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $160000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Full Company Benefits - Medical - Dental - Vision - 401k

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Grand Rapids, MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 4, 2026.