Manufacturing Operations Manager

Watermark Designs, Ltd.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life insurance

Discretionary annual bonus

Job summary

Watermark Designs in Brooklyn, NY, seeks an experienced manufacturing leader to drive 2–3x capacity growth in a high‑mix, custom-made environment. You will shape overall operations by developing supervisors, managing constraint operations (polishing, plating, coating, and PVD), and guiding facility upgrades during expansion.

You will mentor frontline leaders, establish accountability, and embed a culture of servant leadership and continuous improvement across the Brooklyn facility.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in operations or production management.
• Proven success in high-mix, made-to-order, or complex custom production environments.
• Strong understanding of flow, constraints (Theory of Constraints), and execution in non-repetitive settings.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and empower frontline leaders and supervisors.
• Hands-on, floor-centric leadership style with strong presence and credibility.
• Experience with metal polishing, decorative plating, spray/powder coating, and/or PVD processes preferred.
• Lean and/or Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM) expertise preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Business, or related field preferred; PMP a plus.

Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end flow and throughput across the factory, turning complexity into predictable output.
• Reduce lead times by cutting queue times at key constraints while protecting quality and craftsmanship.
• Build, coach, and empower supervisors and team leads to run their areas with confidence and ownership.
• Establish clear structure, accountability, and rapid escalation in daily operations on the floor.
• Lead expansion efforts, including integration of new capabilities (such as PVD coating), and support facility layout and process upgrades.
• Maintain daily floor presence, removing barriers so teams can perform.
• Build team capability and ownership without creating dependency.
• Set and maintain high standards with consistency and fairness.
• Develop team members who deliver results and grow with the company.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Manufacturing leadership

High-mix production

Theory of Constraints

Frontline leadership development

Lean / QRM

PMP a plus

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing/Engineering/Business

Tools

Polishing

Decorative plating

PVD coating

Job description

Watermark Designs is a leading manufacturer of luxury plumbing fixtures and accessories for kitchen and bath. We have been headquartered in Brooklyn, New York for over fifty years and our elite collections have been incorporated into some of the world's most exclusive residences, hotels, and high-rises. We sell to thousands of kitchen and bath dealers across the country and have worked with world-renowned architects and designers on elite projects. Our commitment to distinctive product quality blends hands-on design, development, and cutting-edge equipment.

We value an entrepreneurial spirit and imaginative teamwork. We encourage our employees to push boundaries and to become thoughtful leaders.

The Role

This is a high-impact leadership role at the center of the company’s strategic growth. The position operates within a high-mix, custom, made-to-order manufacturing environment where complexity and craftsmanship are prioritized over repetition. The role is responsible for driving a 2–3x increase in manufacturing capacity while building predictable flow and reducing lead times, with a focus on optimizing the overall system rather than individual efficiency.

This role carries real ownership, shaping how the entire operation runs during an active period of expansion that includes new equipment, processes, and capabilities. The position develops supervisors and leads who own daily execution, oversees constraint operations (polishing, plating, coating, and the new PVD line), supports facility upgrades, and embeds a culture of servant leadership and continuous improvement across the Brooklyn facility.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Drive end-to-end flow and throughput across the factory, turning complexity into predictable output.
• Reduce lead times by cutting queue times at key constraints while protecting quality and craftsmanship.
• Build, coach, and empower supervisors and team leads to run their areas with confidence and ownership.
• Establish clear structure, accountability, and rapid escalation in daily operations on the floor.
• Lead expansion efforts, including integration of new capabilities (such as PVD coating), and support facility layout and process upgrades.
• Maintain daily floor presence, removing barriers so teams can perform.
• Build team capability and ownership without creating dependency.
• Set and maintain high standards with consistency and fairness.
• Develop team members who deliver results and grow with the company.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in operations or production management.
• Proven success in high-mix, made-to-order, or complex custom production environments.
• Strong understanding of flow, constraints (Theory of Constraints), and execution in non-repetitive settings.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and empower frontline leaders and supervisors.
• Hands-on, floor-centric leadership style with strong presence and credibility.
• Experience with metal polishing, decorative plating, spray/powder coating, and/or PVD processes preferred.
• Lean and/or Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM) expertise preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Business, or related field preferred; PMP a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to frequently move about inside the plant to access supplies, products, tools and equipment.
• Ability to accurately communicate/ exchange information with teammates and management.
• Donning of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including eye protection, hearing protection, steel‑toe shoes, gloves, and other safety equipment as required.
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs.
• Paid time off.
• Medical insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan.
• Life insurance.
• Discretionary annual bonus.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status.