Senior Technical Operations Manager

Senior Technical Operations Manager

Reports to: Senior Vice President of Operations and Engineering

Direct Reports: 23

Position Type/Hours: Full-time salary position. Core working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or as required.

Position Purpose:

The Technical Operations Manager is responsible for leading project management and technician groups in the successful execution of complex custom web conversion, packaging, and coating machinery projects from receipt of order through installation. This role ensures projects are executed safely, on time, on budget, and to the highest technical and quality standards while driving operational excellence, cross-functional coordination, and continuous improvement.

The Technical Operations Manager bridges engineering, production, supply chain, and customer-facing functions to deliver complex, low-volume, highly customized machinery.

Essential Functions:

1. Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead and develop Project Managers, Process Engineers, Mechanical Technicians, Electrical Technicians, and Sub-Assembly Technicians.
• Build high performance through coaching, mentoring, and training.
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct performance evaluations and support career development planning.

2. Project Execution & Delivery

• Oversee execution of multiple concurrent custom automation projects.
• Ensure projects meet scope, schedule, cost, and quality objectives.
• Ensure project scope definition and clarity adequately prepares project team for success.
• Monitor project KPIs including margin, cost of materials, labor efficiency, change orders, and milestone performance.
• Remove execution barriers and resolve cross-functional conflicts.
• Escalate risks appropriately and drive corrective action plans.

3. Resource & Capacity Management

• Plan and balance appropriate resources across projects.
• Forecast labor requirements and support hiring decisions.
• Optimize technician utilization, efficiency, and throughput.

4. Technical & Operational Oversight

• Ensure mechanical and electrical builds meet engineering intent, project scope deliverables, and company standards.
• Oversee machine assembly, wiring, debug, integration, and factory acceptance testing (FAT).
• Drive standardization of build practices, documentation, and quality controls.
• Ensure that as-built changes are communicated and documented with the engineering team.
• Partner with engineering to improve design-for-assembly and manufacturability.

5. Process Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Implement continuous improvement practices.
• Improve labor efficiency, lead times, and project predictability.
• Encourage project teams to innovate machine and component improvements.
• Develop and standardize project execution methodologies.
• Use data-driven metrics to identify bottlenecks and optimize workflow.

6. Financial Accountability

• Own labor cost performance and contribute to gross margin improvement.
• Review project budgets and forecast material and labor costs.
• Drive productivity improvements that increase throughput and profitability.

7. Customer & Cross-Functional Interface

• Participate in customer meetings as needed to support technical execution.
• Support installation planning and field service readiness.
• Evaluate warranty claims and implement changes to ensure product quality and reduced warranty costs.
• Coordinate closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Sales, and Service teams.

8. Model, steward, make decisions upon, and expect to be held accountable to Delta ModTech's values which include:

• BELIEVE IN PEOPLE
• FEARLESS INNOVATION
• INTEGRITY
• PASSIONATE & TENACIOUS
• SERVANT LEADERSHIP

Above all, this position should demonstrate a passion for serving others and a commitment to play a key role in creating a people-first, value-based culture that delivers our purpose of "serving people by solving problems". Steps to success include:

• Always lead by example act the way you expect others to act
• Ask for feedback and welcome suggestions on improvements that can be made.
• Be aware of team members doing the right thing, then acknowledge and encourage them.
• Care for your team members personally by being empathetic and encouraging work/life balance.
• Delegate, encourage team members to innovate, and be the first to pick up the pieces with them if things don't go as planned.
• Encourage collaboration and engagement ensure the team feels their voices are heard.
• Show people why their job is important and how it contributes to the success of the organization.

Other Duties:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or related technical field (or equivalent experience).
• 8+ years of experience in custom machinery design and build, or automation environments.
• 5+ years of experience in project management, with at least 1-3 years in a supervisory role.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing technical project-based teams.
• P&L responsibilities, ensuring project deliverable and financial goals are met through strategic decision making and resource allocation.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, low-volume, engineer-to-order projects.
• Strong understanding of mechanical assembly, industrial controls, and automation systems.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.

Competencies:

• Strategic & systems thinking, while remaining nimble
• Operational discipline
• Strong leadership presence
• Strong customer focus
• Financial acumen
• Conflict resolution
• Risk management
• Technical credibility
• Results orientation

Position Type, Work Environment & Travel:

• Full time, exempt
• Normal office environment
• Travel less than 10%

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to walk; use hands to manipulate, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee must frequently lift or move objects up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move objects up to 20 pounds.

Salary Range: $190,000 - $220,000 per year (DOE - Depending on Experience)

Benefits Offered:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with up to $500 annual match (for High-Deductible Health Plans)
• 401(k) *match
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Discretionary Bonus