Senior Manager, Optical Laboratory - Manufacturing

Senior Manager, Optical Laboratory - Manufacturing
Location: Richmond, CA (Onsite) Currently 0% remote, but we've discussed creative ways to allow remote work perhaps one day per week.
Employment Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
Travel: Up to 25%
Reports To: Executive Leadership - Vision Services Operations
Team Size: 110+ FTEs | 5 Direct Reports
The Senior Manager, Optical Laboratory - Manufacturing will lead the full operational, strategic, and technical management of Northern California Optical Manufacturing Lab in Richmond, CA. This leader will oversee a 24/5 manufacturing operation producing 450,000+ eyeglass orders annually , ensuring top-tier quality, efficiency, productivity, and member satisfaction.
This high-impact role requires an experienced manufacturing leader skilled in production operations, optical lab manufacturing, staff development, quality systems, safety compliance, equipment management, budgeting, and Lean process improvement.
The Senior Manager will drive operational excellence, enforce our Principles of Responsibility, and cultivate an engaged, high-performing workforce in a Labor-Management Partnership environment.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & People Management

• Lead a 24/5 optical manufacturing operation with 110+ FTEs and 5 direct reports.
• Create and promote professional development opportunities; drive employee engagement.
• Evaluate performance, set team goals, and ensure talent development and succession planning.
• Foster collaboration and open communication across teams and functions.
• Manage staffing, coaching, conflict resolution, and labor relations within LMP guidelines.

Operational Management & Production Oversight

• Direct day-to-day operations ensuring production targets of ~10,000 orders per week are met.
• Achieve and improve key metrics including:
  • Turnaround Time (TAT)
  • First Pass Yield
  • Quality Metrics
  • Member Satisfaction
• Ensure seamless workflow across manufacturing, inventory, finishing, and quality areas.
• Identify operational gaps and implement process improvements to increase productivity.

Quality & Member Satisfaction

• Champion member satisfaction by setting standards for high-quality eyewear production.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives for product accuracy, workmanship consistency, and delivery speed.
• Conduct root cause analysis for service or product issues and implement corrective actions.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with:
  • FDA regulations
  • ANSI standards
  • ISO requirements
  • KP Optical Quality Standards

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Develop and oversee a comprehensive safety program across the optical lab.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, HIPAA, ANSI, FDA, and KP regulations.
• Conduct inspections, risk assessments, and corrective action planning.
• Promote a culture of safety and responsibility across all employee levels.

Asset, Inventory & Equipment Management

• Lead asset and inventory strategies including purchasing, receiving, storing, distribution, and returns.
• Ensure all optical lab equipment is functioning optimally through preventive and corrective maintenance.
• Develop business cases for new equipment, manage procurement planning, and implement upgrades.
• Maintain alignment with industry standards for optical manufacturing technology.

Budgeting & Financial Management

• Direct the financial planning and budgeting process for the Optical Lab.
• Monitor performance indicators, expense trends, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Ensure operational efficiency while upholding cost stewardship and KP's financial objectives.
• Drive initiatives to optimize labor utilization, reduce waste, and improve throughput.

Training & Development

• Design and deliver training for branch managers, opticians, lab technicians, and sales staff.
• Ensure employees understand lab management systems, safety protocols, and workflow processes.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of optical manufacturing technologies and integrate them into training programs.

Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree in Business, STEM, Manufacturing, Engineering, or related field
Minimum 8 years of experience in an optical lab or relevant manufacturing environment
OR 11 years of experience in optical labs or related fields without a degree
Minimum 7 years in a leadership role with direct reports
Minimum 5 years in optical manufacturing, CAM, eyewear fabrication, or similar field
Minimum 1 year managing project or operational budgets
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• Optical lab operations & manufacturing
• Inventory control & purchasing systems
• Machine maintenance & lab equipment
• Optical equipment, lens production, and fabrication
• Budgeting, financial stewardship & expense management
• OSHA, HIPAA, FDA, ANSI compliance
• Hazardous materials handling
• Data analysis, KPIs, workflow optimization
• Business acumen & operational strategy
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Expertise in Microsoft Excel & lab instrumentation

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in complex manufacturing or medical device environments
• Experience in union/Labor Management Partnership environments
• Experience leading large-scale process improvement initiatives

Recruiter Submission Template -


Full Name:
Do you have bachelor's degree in business management, Business Administration, Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM), or related field?
Do you have minimum eight (8) years of experience in an optical lab environment or directly related field OR Minimum eleven (11) years of experience in an optical lab environment or a directly related field?
Total Years of Optical Lab / Manufacturing Experience:
Total Years of Leadership Experience (With Direct Reports):
Experience Managing 100+ FTE Teams (Yes/No - Details):
Experience in Optical Manufacturing / CAM / Eyewear Fabrication (Yes/No - Details):
Experience Running 24/5 or High-Volume Manufacturing Operations (Yes/No - Details):
Experience Leading Multi-Shift or Continuous Operations (Yes/No - Details):
Experience Managing 5+ Direct Reports (Yes/No - Details):
Experience Developing & Delivering Staff Training Programs (Yes/No - Details):
Reason for Interest in This Role:
Reason for Relocation to Richmond, CA (If applicable):
Phone Number:
Email Address:
LinkedIn Profile:
Full Address (City, State, ZIP):
Notice Period (Weeks):
Current Work Authorization:
Expected Salary:
Earliest Interview Availability:
Earliest Start Date:
Are you willing to relocate on your own expenses and work Onsite at Richmond, CA ?