Manufacturing Operations Manager

FitzDrake Search; South Boston (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Equity

Great benefits package

Relocation assistance

Job summary

FitzDrake Search seeks a Manufacturing Operations Manager for its South Boston, VA campus to lead daily 24/7 manufacturing operations, drive performance, and build a high-performing team while implementing systems to scale proprietary technologies.

The role collaborates with engineering, quality, maintenance, safety, and supply chain to improve reliability, cut waste and increase OEE, while advancing workforce planning and Lean initiatives as the operation grows to 200–300 employees.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or another relevant technical discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing, production, process engineering, heavy industry, chemical processing, metals, advanced materials, or another complex technical manufacturing environment.
• 3+ years of experience leading manufacturing teams, ideally in a multi-shift or 24/7 production environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and motivate production teams while establishing accountability and a strong culture of safety, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Strong technical understanding of manufacturing processes and equipment, with the ability to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve complex operational challenges.
• Demonstrated experience using KPIs, data analysis, and root cause analysis to improve production throughput, equipment reliability, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles, Six Sigma, Kaizen and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with production scheduling, capacity planning, workforce planning, and manufacturing resource planning (MRP/ERP) systems preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across production, engineering, quality, maintenance and site leadership teams.
• Demonstrated ability to build and implement scalable operating systems, establish standardized processes, and drive sustainable improvements in a growing manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee daily manufacturing operations in a 24/7 environment to ensure safe, efficient execution across all shifts.
• Develop shift supervisors and production leaders, establishing safety culture and continuous improvement.
• Manage KPIs: throughput, downtime, scrap, quality, costs and on-time delivery.
• Establish production schedules and standardized processes.
• Collaborate with engineering, quality, maintenance, safety, and supply chain to improve reliability and capacity.
• Implement Lean initiatives and continuous improvement programs to raise OEE.
• Support workforce planning as operations scale from ~100 to 200–300 employees.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Kaizen

KPIs

Data analysis

Root cause analysis

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

Job description

Our client is seeking a Manufacturing Operations Manager to join the team at their manufacturing campus in South Boston, VA. The Manufacturing Operations Manager will lead daily manufacturing operations in a 24/7 production environment, with responsibility for driving operational performance, developing a high-performing production team and establishing the systems and processes necessary to support the company's continued growth. This role will play a critical part in scaling our proprietary manufacturing technologies into a safe, reliable and commercially successful operation.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee daily manufacturing operations in a 24/7 production environment, ensuring safe, efficient and consistent execution across all shifts.
• Build, coach and develop shift supervisors and production leaders, establishing clear expectations, accountability and a strong culture of safety and continuous improvement.
• Drive operational performance through effective KPI management, focusing on throughput, downtime, scrap, product quality, manufacturing costs and on-time delivery.
• Establish and maintain production schedules, daily operating routines and standardized processes.
• Leverage floor-level observation, data analysis and root cause analysis to identify and resolve recurring production issues and improve overall manufacturing performance.
• Partner with engineering, quality, maintenance, safety and supply chain teams to improve equipment reliability, optimize manufacturing processes, and support new capacity and production growth.
• Develop and implement Lean Manufacturing initiatives, continuous improvement projects and operational strategies to improve productivity, reduce waste and increase overall equipment effectiveness.
• Establish and sustain a strong safety culture, ensuring manufacturing operations consistently meet company standards and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Support workforce planning, staffing strategies, and organizational development as the manufacturing operation scales from approximately 100 employees toward a planned 200–300 employees.
• Collaborate closely with the Plant Manager and site leadership to develop and execute operational strategies that support the long-term growth and success of the organization.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or another relevant technical discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing, production, process engineering, heavy industry, chemical processing, metals, advanced materials, or another complex technical manufacturing environment.
• 3+ years of experience leading manufacturing teams, ideally in a multi-shift or 24/7 production environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and motivate production teams while establishing accountability and a strong culture of safety, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Strong technical understanding of manufacturing processes and equipment, with the ability to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve complex operational challenges.
• Demonstrated experience using KPIs, data analysis, and root cause analysis to improve production throughput, equipment reliability, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles, Six Sigma, Kaizen and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with production scheduling, capacity planning, workforce planning, and manufacturing resource planning (MRP/ERP) systems preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across production, engineering, quality, maintenance and site leadership teams.
• Demonstrated ability to build and implement scalable operating systems, establish standardized processes, and drive sustainable improvements in a growing manufacturing environment.

This is an onsite position at the South Boston, VA manufacturing campus. The role includes a highly competitive base salary, annual bonus, equity and a great benefits package with premiums covered at 95% by the company. In addition, the company will provide financial assistance if you require relocation.