Operations Manager

Operations ManagerDepartment

Operations

American Peat Technology (APT) is seeking a strategic, accountable, and results-driven Operations Manager to lead and optimize day-to-day operations across the organization. This role is responsible for driving operational performance, building a high accountability/high performance culture, and developing strong team leadership at all levels.

The ideal candidate is a proven leader who excels at managing people, improving processes, and delivering results through others. While familiarity with manufacturing environments is beneficial, this role prioritizes leadership capability, team accountability, and operational discipline over deep technical expertise.

The schedule for this position is generally Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:00 pm. Other days and hours are occasionally required. Work locations include APT’s main facility located outside of the city of Aitkin and a second facility located in the city of Aitkin.

This position starts at $85,000 year, paid bi-weekly in accordance with the Company's standard payroll practices. This is an exempt position.

APT offers PTO, a medical and dental plan, matching 401K and charitable giving plans, and paid volunteer opportunities.

This position reports to the VP of Finance and Operations.

Team Leadership, Accountability, & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop cross-functional teams to achieve operational goals
• Establish a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement
• Set clear expectations, monitor performance, and hold team members accountable for results
• Partner with managers to strengthen leadership capabilities across the organization
• Support hiring, onboarding, and development of high-performing team members

Production and Operational Efficiency

• Oversee daily operations to ensure production targets, timelines, and quality standards are consistently met
• Identify inefficiencies and implement process improvements to enhance productivity and throughput
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive operational performance
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align production with business objectives

Communication and Alignment

• Improve communication flow between leadership and teams
• Ensure alignment between operational execution and company priorities
• Create clarity around goals, expectations, and performance feedback

Safety and Compliance

• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure adherence to all safety policies and procedures
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and industry standard
• Partner with leadership to proactively identify and mitigate operational risks
• Lead or support safety initiatives, training, and continuous improvement efforts
• Hold leaders and team accountable for maintaining a safe work environment

Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement

• Ensure consistent product quality through strong processes and accountability measures
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, quality, and cost reduction
• Utilize data and metrics to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for improvement
• Promote a mindset of operational excellence across all levels of the organization

Cost Management

• Manage operational budgets and monitor costs to ensure efficient use of resources
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs while maintaining quality and performance standards
• Support financial planning and forecasting related to operations
• Drive accountability for cost control across teams

• Leadership & Accountability: Proven ability to lead teams and hold individuals accountable for performance
• Operational Excellence: Strong understanding of process improvement and efficiency optimization
• Communication: Clear, direct communicator who sets expectations and provides actionable feedback
• Problem-Solving: Ability to identify issues, analyze root causes, and implement effective solutions
• Decision-Making: Makes timely, informed decisions in a fast-paced environment
• Change Management: Effectively leads teams through change and continuous improvement initiatives
• Collaboration: Works cross-functionally to achieve organizational goals
• Results Orientation: Focused on achieving measurable outcomes and driving performance

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Management, or related field preferred
• 7–10+ years of leadership experience in operations, manufacturing, or a related environment
• Demonstrated success leading teams and driving performance through others
• Experience implementing process improvements and managing operational metrics
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence and motivate teams
• Experience with safety and compliance standards preferred

• This position operates in both office and production/manufacturing environments
• Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and walking throughout operational areas
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry materials up to 25 pounds
• May require use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in production areas

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.