Business Unit Manager

Spectrum Killian; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Inclusive environment

Career growth

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Job summary

Spectrum Killian is seeking a hands-on Business Unit Manager to oversee daily operations within a focused, well-established unit. You will coordinate production activities, staffing, materials, and equipment to meet quality, delivery, and customer commitments.

Partner with Engineering, Quality, Customer Experience, and cross-functional teams to sustain standard work, drive continuous improvement, and hit daily output targets on time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• 5+ years in dental laboratory or manufacturing production management with direct team leadership.
• Ability to learn products and processes quickly; strong analytical and problem-solving on the floor.
• Proficiency with Excel and reporting tools; able to manage labor, costs, and delivery commitments.
• Collaborative, hands-on leader who enforces procedures and drives continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily business unit operations, coordinating production activities and resources to meet quality, delivery, and customer commitments.
• Manage production plans, priorities, staffing, materials, and equipment to maintain steady flow and prevent backlogs.
• Deliver the operating plan within budget and report variances and recovery actions to leadership.
• Sustain standard work, quality checkpoints, and root-cause analysis to fix defects and prevent recurrence.
• Partner with Customer Experience, Account Management, and Commercial teams to resolve issues and manage rush requests.
• Lead, coach, and develop teams; collaborate with HR on hiring and performance management.
• Use KPIs and kaizen to drive productivity, resource utilization, and material efficiency; maintain safety.
• Support equipment, system, and process changes led by Engineering and Operations leadership.
• Report daily and weekly performance, risks, and improvement results to leadership.

Skills

On-floor leadership

Production planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Excel

Problem solving

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business / Operations / Engineering (or related)

Tools

Laboratory management systems

Production dashboards

CAD/CAM

3D printing

Job description

Spectrum Killian (SK) is a nationally recognized leader in restorative dentistry, passionate about helping people smile with confidence. We partner with dental professionals across the country to deliver world-class restorations, advanced dental equipment, and trusted services that make a difference for patients every day.

At SK, we combine craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, and a deep commitment to quality to create beautiful, lasting results. More than just a dental lab, we are driven by the belief that every restoration represents a person's confidence, comfort, and well-being - and that's a responsibility we take to heart.

Our operations are centered around two advanced Centers of Excellence located in Orange County and Los Angeles. This collaborative environment allows our skilled technicians to innovate, mentor one another, and consistently deliver outstanding results.

Overview:

Spectrum Killian is seeking a hands-on Business Unit Manager to oversee daily operations within a focused, well-established business unit characterized by consistent demand, standardized processes, and streamlined workflows. This role is ideal for an operational leader who thrives in a structured environment, with a focus on sustaining operational excellence, ensuring consistency in execution, and driving incremental improvements in productivity, quality, and on-time delivery.

Partnering with Production, Customer Experience, Engineering, Quality, and other cross-functional teams, this leader ensures efficient case flow, consistent quality, and timely delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead daily business unit operations, coordinating production activities, workflows, and resources to meet quality, delivery, turnaround, and customer commitments.
• Manage production plans, case priorities, staffing, materials, and equipment to maintain steady flow, hit daily output, and prevent backlogs.
• Deliver the business unit operating plan within budget, labor, and cost targets; report variances and recovery actions to leadership.
• Sustain established standard work, work instructions, and quality checkpoints; audit adherence and correct drift. Resolve recurring defects and remakes using structured root cause analysis, and escape systemic issues.
• Partner with Customer Experience, Account Management, and Commercial teams to resolve production and case-related issues and manage rush requests.
• Lead, coach, and develop teams; partner with HR on hiring and performance management, strengthen cross-training, and maintain a visible presence in production and operational areas.
• Use KPIs, kaizen, and standard work to drive steady, incremental gains in productivity, resource utilization, material efficiency, and consistency while maintaining a safe workplace.
• Support equipment, system, and process changes led by Engineering, Digital Manufacturing, and Operations leadership.
• Report daily and weekly performance, risks, and improvement results to leadership.

Who We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
• Five or more years in dental laboratory or manufacturing production management, including running a stable operation to plan with direct team leadership.
• Working knowledge of the business unit’s products and processes, or the ability to learn them quickly.
• Demonstrated ability to manage operational performance, labor utilization, quality, costs, and delivery commitments.
• Strong understanding of production planning, capacity management, workflow coordination, and continuous improvement.
• Experience coaching supervisors, team leads, and technical employees while building accountability and developing talent.
• Ability to train to, and enforce, established procedures.
• Strong analytical skills and practical, structured problem solving on the floor.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with technical teams, Customer Experience, and senior leadership.
• Hands-on leadership style and willingness to spend time on the production floor resolving issues, supporting teams, and identifying improvement opportunities.
• Familiarity with digital dental workflows (scanning, CAD/CAM, 3D printing) a plus.
• Proficiency in Excel and experience using laboratory management systems, production dashboards, or other performance reporting tools.
• Strength in consistency, follow-through, and holding a team to standard day after day.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands, make timely decisions, and maintain consistent follow-through in a fast-moving environment.
• Collaborative, approachable leadership style that builds trust while maintaining clear performance expectations.

Why SKDLA?

• Inclusive Environment: We value diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming workplace for individuals of all backgrounds.
• Career Growth: Spectrum Killian is growing rapidly, offering new opportunities to advance within the company and across promoting internal mobility.
• Compensation and Benefits: We provide competitive pay and upon conversion to full-time status, employees are eligible to enroll in comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• 401K: Full-time employees are also eligible to participate in the company’s 401(k) plan with an employer match.

Spectrum Killian Dental Lab Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

The anticipated salary range for this role is $110,000-$130,000. Final compensation will be individually assessed and may differ based on a variety of factors such as your experience, qualifications, education, skill set, certifications, and other relevant considerations.