Manager, Operations

UW Solutions; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Benefits Package (Medical,

Incentive Plans

401(k) with employer match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Wellness Program

Job summary

Apogee Enterprises, Inc. is seeking an Operations Manager to lead manufacturing operations in a liquid coatings production environment.

You will drive safety, quality, delivery and cost targets while coordinating cross-functional teams to optimize processes and resource utilization. The role emphasizes continuous improvement, lean initiatives, and data-driven decision making to sustain operational excellence and growth across Performance Surfaces.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• 5-7 years of progressive manufacturing operations experience in coatings/industrial manufacturing.
• Strong problem solving, decision making and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing teams to meet production targets and optimize labor utilization.
• Ensure adherence to SOPs and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner with maintenance, quality, supply chain and engineering to eliminate bottlenecks and improve throughput.
• Lead Lean/6S initiatives and data-driven problem solving.
• Promote a strong safety culture and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Data analysis

Coatings processes

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: APOG), was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN. Apogee is a growing, profitable company with annual revenues approaching $1.5 billion. We provide distinctive metal and glass solutions for enclosing commercial buildings, and glass and acrylic solutions for picture framing and display applications. To learn more visit: www.apog.com.

Performance Surfaces segment has grown from $100M to $200M in revenue through a recent acquisition. Our brands in the Performance Surfaces portfolio develop and manufacture high-performance coated materials for a variety of applications, including wall decor, museums, graphic design, architectural interiors, digital display, and industrial flooring markets. We are the global leader in anti-reflective, conservation grade electrostatic dissipative, high-definition, and abrasion resistance coatings, which provide protection, innovative designs, and exceptional durability.

Position Summary

This position is responsible for leading manufacturing operations within a liquid coatings production environment, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production while driving continuous improvement and operational performance. The Operations Manager will work closely with cross‑functional teams to optimize manufacturing processes and ensure resources are effectively utilized to achieve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost targets while supporting operational excellence and sustainable growth.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Provide direct leadership for manufacturing teams ensuring alignment with production, quality, safety and operational objectives. Develop and mentor supervisors, team leads, and frontline employees, to strengthen leadership capability and succession readiness.
• Foster a culture of Safety, accountability, teamwork, cross functional department engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a key liaison between functions and site leaders to ensure alignment and execution on priorities.

Production & Operational Efficiency

• Lead daily manufacturing operations to achieve production targets, optimize labor utilization, and maximize operational efficiencies.
• Ensure adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner cross‑functionally with maintenance, quality, supply chain, engineering, chemists, and shipping to eliminate bottlenecks to improve throughput.
• Monitor and analyze key performance metrics (KPIs), including throughput, downtime, first‑pass yield (FPY), and cost efficiency.

Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing

• Champion Lean Manufacturing and lead Kaizen events focused on waste reduction, process optimization, and productivity improvement.
• Utilize and promote data‑driven decision‑making and problem‑solving methodologies to identify inefficiencies and drive sustainable corrective actions.
• Implement and sustain 6S principles and standardized work practices.
• Identify waste, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities in processes and workflows.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Lead by example in promoting a strong safety culture and ensuring compliance with all company safety policies, OSHA regulations, and environmental standards.
• Partner with EHS and Quality teams to proactively reduce incidents, improve compliance, and strengthen risk mitigation effort. Collaborate with the Quality Engineer to improve product consistency, reduce defects, and enhance customer satisfaction.
• Ensure timely investigation and resolution of safety, quality, and operational incidents through root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
• Maintain compliance with all regulatory, operational, and quality system requirements.

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Support all cross functional teams in executing strategic initiatives and operational goals.
• Contribute to budgeting, labor planning, capital investment projects, and operational resource strategies. Drive employee engagement initiatives to strengthen culture, performance and organizational capabilities.
• Lead operational execution against financial and productivity targets while supporting continuous business growth.

Personal Attributes and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive manufacturing operations experience within a coatings, chemical, industrial manufacturing, or related process-driven environment preferred. Strong understanding of coatings manufacturing processes, batch operations, mixing/blending systems, dispersion methods, curing processes (radiation, thermal, and moisture), and related quality standards is highly desirable. Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills.
• Strong leadership and team-building abilities, with a proven track record of driving change.
• Proficiency in ERP systems, data analysis tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Demonstrates operational ownership and accountability for safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost performance.
• Ensures adherence to standards while driving continuous improvements.
• Balances short-term problem-solving with long-term operational improvements.
• Builds strong relationships, fosters a high-performance culture, and develops future leaders.
• Consistently delivers on key performance indicators, driving cost savings and productivity gains.

Work Environment

This job is primarily performed in an office environment. The noise level in the office is generally moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently interacts with individuals on the manufacturing floor, near moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the production environment is usually loud.

Our Benefits

• Competitive Benefits Package for employees and their dependents (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability)
• Incentive Plans
• 401(k) with employer contribution and match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with employer match
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick Time)
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness Program
• Training and Career Progression

Apogee and our brands are an Equal Opportunity Employer.