Manufacturing Operations Manager

Electro Freeze / HC Duke and Son, LLC; East Moline (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee group term life insurance and

AD&D

Short-term and long-term disability

Company HSA contribution for HDHP

Employee assistance program

Financial wellness services

Annual discretionary 401k bonus

10 paid holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

Electro Freeze/H.C. Duke LLC in East Moline, IL seeks a Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead production, inventory control, quality initiatives, and continuous improvement, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective manufacturing while meeting customer expectations.

The role collaborates with Engineering, Customer Service, Finance, HR, Sales and Leadership to drive operational excellence, manage KPIs, and champion Lean methods and make-versus-buy decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or management field or related experience.
• Minimum 5-7 years manufacturing leadership experience.
• Experience leading production operations and cross-functional teams.
• Experience with ERP and production planning processes.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily manufacturing operations to achieve quality, delivery, and cost objectives with safety first.
• Develop and monitor KPIs related to production, inventory, labor efficiency, on-time delivery, and quality.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase productivity and reduce waste.
• Support operational goal setting and staffing to meet demand.
• Coordinate between production, purchasing, engineering and service functions.
• Resolve bottlenecks and capacity constraints and support new product launches.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional teams

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Lean Manufacturing

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Operations/SCM/Manufacturing/Business

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Job description

Company Overview

Electro Freeze/H.C. Duke LLC, a Welbilt Company, located in East Moline, Illinois, is a leader in the design and innovation of frozen treat equipment.Our product line includes solutions for soft serve, yogurt, shake, frozen beverages, hard pack/gelato batch freezers, and flavor systems.

Position Overview

The Manufacturing Operations Manager is responsible for leading manufacturing operations, inventory management, quality initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts for Electro Freeze/H.C. Duke. This position provides leadership to production, inventory control, and related operational functions to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective manufacturing operations while meeting customer expectations for quality and delivery.

The Manufacturing Operations Manager works closely with Engineering, Customer Service, Finance, Human Resources, Sales and Leadership to support business objectives and drive operational excellence.

Pay Range: $100,000-$130,000/year

Additional compensation is available for hours worked beyond 45 hours, in a standard work week.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead daily manufacturing operations to achieve quality, delivery, and cost objectives, with safety at the forefront of all.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to production, inventory, labor efficiency, on-time delivery, quality.
• Identify and implement process improvements that increase productivity and reduce waste.
• Support operational goal setting.
• Monitor production capacity and staffing requirements to meet changing business demands.
• Ensure effective coordination between production, purchasing, engineering, and service functions.
• Resolve production bottlenecks and capacity constraints.
• Support successful launches of new products and engineering changes.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the organization.
• Facilitate root cause analysis, corrective actions, and waste reduction activities.
• Drive improvements in workflow, labor utilization, inventory accuracy, and production performance.
• Assist with make-versus-buy evaluations and sourcing decisions.

Safety and Quality

• Model and promote a strong culture of workplace safety and regulatory compliance.
• Partner with Production Supervisors and Leadership to improve product quality and reduce defects.
• Support auditing activities and corrective action programs.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and manufacturing standards.

Leadership and Employee Development

• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and operational team members.
• Foster engagement, accountability, and professional growth of both direct and indirect reports.
• Assist with workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development.
• Partner with Human Resources regarding staffing, performance management, training, and employee relations matters.
• In conjunction with Finance, oversee production inventory control and annual physical inventory.
• Assist in managing and monitoring departmental expenses.
• Monitor operational spending and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Support annual operating plans and profitability initiatives.
• Develop production inventory strategies that balance production requirements with inventory investment.

Employer sponsored benefits:

• Employee group term life insurance and AD&D
• Short -term and long-term disability
• Company HSA contribution for HDHP
• Employee assistance program
• Financial wellness services
• Annual discretionary 401k bonus
• 10 paid holidays
• Paid time off

Voluntary benefit offerings:

• Medical insurance (PPO and HDHP with HSA)
• Medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Additional voluntary life insurance and AD&D, including dependent coverage
• Supplemental plans (Critical illness, accident insurance, hospital indemnity)
• Group legal coverage and identity theft protection
• 401k program with a company match

Job Requirements:

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Management, Business Administration, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum 5-7 years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Experience managing production operations in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with ERP systems and production planning processes.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive results.

Preferred

• Experience with SAP or similar ERP systems.
• APICS/CPIM certification.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement training.
• Experience in metal fabrication, machining, welding, assembly, or related manufacturing processes.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Manufacturing operations management
• Production planning and scheduling
• Inventory management and materials control