Operations Manager - Lead the Future of Green Technology with ABB

Skagerak Consulting; Skien; On-site; NOK 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in electrification and automation seeks an Operations Manager for its manufacturing facility in Skien, Norway. This pivotal role involves overseeing production and engineering operations, ensuring operational excellence, and driving innovation within a large team. Candidates should possess a relevant degree and substantial experience in industrial settings.

Benefits

Competitive salary with comprehensive insurance and pension plans

Access to on-site fitness facilities and corporate sports activities

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Solid documented experience leading operational teams in an industrial or manufacturing setting.
• Excellent communication skills in English; Norwegian is a strong plus.
• Proactive mindset with a collaborative approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a large, skilled organization in close partnership with department managers.
• Deliver efficient operations and outstanding customer satisfaction.
• Cross-functional collaboration with other functions and units.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving

Communication

LEAN principles

Education

University degree in industrial or mechanical engineering

Job description

At ABB, we are dedicated to addressing global challenges. Our core values: care, courage, curiosity, and collaboration - combined with a focus on diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities - are key drivers in our aim to empower everyone to create sustainable solutions. Write the next chapter of your ABB story.

This position reports to the Business Manager Operations - Europe Secondary Gas Insulated Switchgear Europe.

Your role and responsibilities:

ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. We are currently hiring a senior leader to head all production and engineering operations at our Secondary gas insulated switchgear manufacturing facility in Skien, Norway. Your primary mission will be to ensure operational excellence and drive innovation, while enabling the organization to scale effectively. As Operations Manager at ABB Electrification Distribution Solutions, you will be responsible for several production related departments at the Skien site, including production, production industrialization, engineering, planning and fulfilment and logistics. You will lead a team of 400 dedicated employees and collaborate closely with our sister plant in Poland. With strong growth and continuous innovation of our new SF6-free products, this is a pivotal role offering exceptional opportunities for the right candidate. If this sounds like the kind of challenge, you are looking for — we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and develop a large, skilled organization in close partnership with department managers
• • Deliver efficient operations and outstanding customer satisfaction
• • Cross-functional collaboration with other functions and units in the wider ABB Group

Qualifications for the role:

• University degree in industrial or mechanical engineering. Other backgrounds with relevant experience will be qualified
• Solid documented experience leading operational teams in an industrial or manufacturing setting
• Documented experience working with LEAN principles
• Pragmatic in problem-solving with excellent communication skills in English (Norwegian is a strong plus)
• You have a proactive mindset with collaborative approach

What we offer:

At ABB, you’re not just taking a job — you’re gaining an opportunity to grow. We place great emphasis on personal and career development, offering an inclusive and flexible work environment where you can thrive. We believe that diversity is key to creating innovative solutions!

• The opportunity to work in an international company with engaging projects
• Focus on your personal development and career opportunities
• A collaborative work environment with an emphasis on collaboration and diversity
• Competitive salary, along with comprehensive insurance and pension plans
• Access to on-site fitness facilities, corporate sports activities and company cabins
• Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance

ABB is a supplier of critical infrastructure. Personnel safety is therefore important to ABB and our customers. In collaboration with Meditor, ABB in Norway conducts background checks on candidates who receive offers of employment. This is to ensure compliance with ABB’s guidelines for recruitment and personnel safety, as well as compliance with legal requirements related to trade sanctions. Candidates will be asked to provide relevant information.
This position will be handled by Skagerak Consulting. For more information about the position, please contact our advisor at Skagerak Consulting: Erik Aasmundtveit, phone: [phone]