Operations Manager

Watson-Marlow - North America; Blythewood (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Spirax Sarco is seeking an Operations Manager to lead manufacturing teams toward operational excellence, safety, and sustainability. The role focuses on continuous improvement, asset reliability, and optimizing production processes across diverse facilities.

The ideal candidate will drive culture change, develop high-performing teams, and align strategic priorities with finance and operations to deliver measurable business results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing, operations management or related field.
• 7+ years of experience leading complex manufacturing operations and large multi-shift teams.
• Proven track record of driving operational efficiency, productivity improvements, and culture change.
• Strong leadership, coaching and employee development skills.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or OPEX principles.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Experience managing budgets, resource planning and performance metrics.
• Ability to influence across functions and levels.
• Commitment to safety, quality, sustainability and engagement.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and reporting tools.
• Lean, Six Sigma or CI certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop manufacturing, facilities, and sustainability leaders to meet objectives.
• Drive operational excellence through planning, asset reliability, and preventive maintenance governance.
• Champion EHS, quality, and sustainability initiatives across the organization.
• Align cross-functional stakeholders to execute strategic priorities and resource plans.
• Lead CI initiatives to boost productivity and reduce waste and costs.
• Develop and manage operating budgets and optimize labor, equipment, and facilities.
• Ensure production commitments are met safely, on time, and within budget.
• Promote accountability, innovation, inclusion, and continuous learning.

Skills

Leadership

Lean Six Sigma

Problem-solving

Budgeting

Cross-functional collaboration

Safety & sustainability mindset

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management

Tools

Excel

Reporting tools

Job description

Here at Spirax Sarco we offer the industry’s most extensive range of products with services, coupled with practical industry application expertise. In short, we build solutions that set the benchmark for steam utilization worldwide.

Operations Manager

At Spirax Sarco, we provide the industry's most extensive range of steam system products and services, supported by deep application expertise and a commitment to innovation. We help customers improve productivity, efficiency, safety, and sustainability through solutions that set the global benchmark for steam utilization.

Position Summary

The Operations Manager is responsible for leading and inspiring manufacturing teams to achieve operational excellence through innovation, people development, safety, sustainability, and efficiency. This role drives continuous improvement, fosters a culture of inclusion and collaboration, and ensures the successful delivery of business objectives by optimizing production processes, maintaining reliable facilities, and developing high‑performing teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience leading complex manufacturing operations and large multi‑shift teams.
• Proven track record of driving operational efficiency, productivity improvements, and organizational culture change.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and employee development skills.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies, including Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Operational Excellence (OPEX) principles.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Experience managing budgets, resource planning, and operational performance metrics.
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across multiple functions and levels of the organization.
• Strong commitment to safety, quality, sustainability, and employee engagement.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and reporting tools.
• Lean, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement certifications are preferred.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead and develop manufacturing, facilities, and sustainability leaders to achieve operational and cultural objectives.
• Drive operational excellence through effective production planning, asset reliability, and preventive maintenance governance.
• Champion environmental, health, safety, quality, and sustainability initiatives throughout the organization.
• Align cross‑functional stakeholders to execute strategic priorities, projects, and resource plans.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance productivity, eliminate waste, improve efficiency, and support long‑term business growth.
• Develop and manage operating budgets while ensuring effective use of labor, equipment, and facility resources.
• Ensure production commitments are met safely, on time, within budget, and according to quality standards.
• Promote a culture of accountability, innovation, inclusion, and continuous learning.

Other Job Functions

• Coach and mentor leaders to drive employee engagement, development, and performance.
• Facilitate collaboration between manufacturing, maintenance, engineering, supply chain, and other business functions.
• Analyze operational performance metrics and implement corrective actions to improve results.
• Lead incident investigations and ensure appropriate corrective and preventive actions are implemented.
• Support sustainability initiatives through energy reduction, waste elimination, and resource optimization efforts.
• Oversee critical facility systems, including utilities, HVAC, boilers, compressors, and supporting infrastructure.
• Champion Operational Excellence (OPEX) tools and methodologies across the organization.
• Lead culture change initiatives and encourage innovative approaches to operational challenges.
• Support strategic business initiatives, capital projects, and organizational growth efforts.
• Participate in Continuous Improvement (CI) events and organizational development initiatives.

About Us

Steam Thermal Solutions is one of four businesses within Spirax Group, with global coverage across 67 operating units. These OpCos are organized into four Divisions: EMEA, APAC, Americas, and Gestra. We acquired Gestra five years ago and since then have operated it as its own business, and as such, we operate two brands, Spirax Sarco and Gestra.

We are dedicated to generating balanced value for all our partners through the development of technologies that enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Our technologies support critical industrial processes across diverse industries including Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology, Power Generation, Semiconductors, Healthcare, and many others. With a presence in more than 165 countries, our solutions help produce a vast range of products used every day around the world.

Our company values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. If you require accommodation during the application process or while performing essential job functions, please contact us.

About Us & Why Join Us

Spirax Sarco is a global engineering organization specializing in steam and thermal energy management solutions that support critical industrial processes across sectors such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, oil and gas, and manufacturing. Our mission is to deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable energy solutions that help customers improve reliability, reduce energy use and emissions, and meet regulatory and sustainability goals. Operating in over 60 countries with global manufacturing and locally based engineering teams, we combine strong engineering expertise, innovation, and a deep customer focus to deliver tailored solutions and measurable results.

Joining Spirax Sarco means being part of a purpose‑driven, customer‑centric organization where your work makes a real global impact. We invest in our people through meaningful work, continuous learning, and clear development pathways, offering opportunities to collaborate with skilled professionals and tackle real‑world challenges. Guided by a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, safety, and wellbeing, we foster a supportive and inclusive culture where people are empowered to grow, take ownership, and build rewarding, sustainable careers while helping shape safer, more efficient, and more sustainable industries worldwide.