Operations Manager

The following information provides an overview of the skills, qualities, and qualifications needed for this role.

Millwork Recruiting Source is seeking an experienced Operations Manager for a premier manufacturer of MDF wood components and powder-coated products serving the office furniture and retail fixture industries.

This position provides an opportunity to lead a two-shift manufacturing operation that includes wood-parts production and powder coating. The Operations Manager will be responsible for developing employees, strengthening operational processes and creating a positive shop-floor culture centered on employee engagement, pride in workmanship and accountability.

The ideal candidate will be a visible, hands-on leader who is comfortable working closely with supervisors and production employees. This individual should understand the dynamics of a smaller or midsized manufacturing company and know how to balance leadership, production demands, safety, quality and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day leadership for two-shift wood-parts manufacturing and powder-coating operations.
• Develop production employees through coaching, mentoring and consistent performance expectations.
• Build and implement a structured shop-employee onboarding and training program.
• Establish clear expectations for productivity, quality, safety, attendance and accountability.
• Create a positive workplace culture that promotes employee engagement, teamwork and pride in workmanship.
• Evaluate production workflows and identify opportunities to improve throughput, efficiency and overall operating performance.
• Monitor production schedules, labor requirements, capacity and workflow to ensure customer commitments are met.
• Partner with company leadership to establish operational objectives and measure progress against key performance indicators.
• Use the company's ERP system to manage production information, scheduling, inventory and operational reporting.
• Improve the accuracy, consistency and adoption of ERP-related processes throughout the operation.
• Review and interpret CAD part drawings, specifications and other production documentation.
• Ensure products are manufactured according to customer requirements, quality standards and established specifications.
• Promote a proactive safety culture and ensure compliance with company policies and applicable regulations.
• Investigate production, quality and safety concerns and implement appropriate corrective actions.
• Work collaboratively with engineering, production, quality, maintenance, scheduling and other internal departments.
• Support continuous-improvement initiatives throughout the manufacturing operation.
• Communicate operational priorities, company expectations and performance results clearly across both shifts.
• Ensure the facility, equipment and production areas are maintained in an organized, professional and production-ready condition.

Required Qualifications

• At least five years of successful manufacturing leadership experience within the wood-products or wood-component manufacturing industry.
• Demonstrated experience leading, coaching and developing production employees and frontline supervisors.
• Proven ability to improve employee engagement, performance and accountability.
• Experience creating or strengthening production-employee training programs.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, production planning, workflow and labor management.
• Experience using an ERP system within a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to read and interpret CAD part drawings for production.
• Practical knowledge of workplace safety, quality systems and continuous improvement.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational and decision-making abilities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work onsite and maintain a visible presence across the manufacturing operation.
• Willingness to work occasional additional hours based on production needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Epicor ERP experience.
• Powder-coating or industrial finishing experience.
• Experience managing multiple manufacturing processes or departments.
• Leadership experience within a smaller or midsized manufacturing company.
• Experience supporting office furniture, retail fixture or related component manufacturing.
• Familiarity with key performance indicators, capacity planning and operational reporting.

Leadership Profile

• A hands-on and approachable leader who is comfortable spending time on the production floor.
• A team developer who can recognize potential and help employees grow into greater responsibilities.
• Consistent and fair when establishing expectations and addressing performance concerns.
• Capable of building trust while maintaining high standards for safety, quality and productivity.
• Skilled at introducing structure and accountability without losing sight of employee engagement.
• Comfortable working in an entrepreneurial manufacturing environment where leaders are expected to be resourceful and actively involved.

About the Location

This opportunity is located in Central Minnesota's scenic lakes region, an area recognized for its natural beauty, welcoming communities and exceptional access to year-round recreation. With numerous lakes, trails and outdoor activities nearby, the region offers an appealing quality of life for candidates interested in boating, fishing, hiking, golfing, snowmobiling and other seasonal activities. xhyhwjd

Relocation assistance is available for the right candidate.