Sr. Operations Manager

Job Description

Job Title: Sr. Operations Manager

Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World

Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role

The person hired for this position will serve as the overall site operations manager for all manufacturing, production and warehouse departments at the Aberdeen, SD facility, approximately 420 persons. Responsibilities include developing and executing manufacturing strategies, Lean management systems and operational plans that drive continuous improvement for safety, quality, service and cost & cash. As such, this person will be a member of the Plant Operating Committee and will collaborate with each member of the plant leadership team to help the plant continuously improve.

Responsibilities

• EHS stewardship and compliance to ensure operational Environmental, Health, and Safety compliance and accountability, with active visible leadership, ownership and involvement within assigned operations.
• Working cross‑functionally with plant management, Manufacturing Engineering Leadership, Product Divisions and portfolio/business management to set short and long‑term strategic plans and operating plans for departments, and drive Customer First initiatives in service, quality and cost improvements.
• Driving strategic planning and budgeting to achieve sustainable improvements in factory cost through Lean Six Sigma, entitlement thinking, quality, capability, yield improvement and plant productivity.
• Providing direct supervision & development to Operations Senior Supervisors, Continuous Improvement/Training Senior Supervisor, warehouse teams and their organizations, to set objectives, performance and motivation management and training.
• Developing and maintaining annual operating budgets and handling headcount justification and implementation, monitoring progress and initiating corrective action as required.
• Implementing lean manufacturing principles and methodology to drive employee engagement and continuous improvement, including tiered standard work and development utilizing the 3M Execution Model, while fostering local community relations.
• Accelerating value creation for customers through global alignment, improved information flow, systematic thinking to increase overall supply chain efficiency and strengthening continuous improvement.
• Willingness to be on‑call as assigned.

Your Skills and Expertise

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
• Eight (8) years of combined management and/or supervisory experience in a manufacturing setting, including private, public, government or military environments.

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in an engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
• Experience leading and implementing Lean Manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodology for sustained continuous improvement for aggressive objectives in EHS, Quality, Service, and Financial Performance.
• Demonstrated high emotional intelligence (EQ) – ability to connect, build teams and rapport across all levels and functions of the broader organization.
• Minimum of five (5) years of management/supervisory experience in a 3M manufacturing environment.
• Experience in organizational development & management, customer and community interactions.
• Certified Lean Six Sigma practitioner, either Black Belt or Master Black Belt.
• Demonstrated strong leadership ability and understanding of Lean leadership principles and behaviors.

Work Location

• Aberdeen, SD, on‑site.
• Travel may include up to 10% domestic/international.
• Relocation may be authorized.

Must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Compensation and Benefits

The expected compensation range for this position is $221,591 – $270,834, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay if eligible. This range is a good‑faith estimate and may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location and/or experience. Eligible candidates may also receive a range of benefits such as medical, dental and vision coverage, health savings accounts, dependent‑care flexible spending accounts, disability benefits, life insurance, voluntary benefits, paid absences and retirement benefits. Additional benefit details are available at

Legal and EEO Statement

3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.