Operations Manager

L2x Talent Solutions; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

L2x Talent Solutions in Downers Grove, IL seeks an experienced Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead production planning and drive performance. You will manage scheduling, capacity, and inventory while coaching hourly teams and partnering with engineering and quality to improve processes.

The role requires a background in high-volume manufacturing, lean/six sigma proficiency, and a commitment to safety and continuous improvement. This is a full-time, on-site position in the Chicago area.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering or related field; equivalent manufacturing leadership experience may be considered.
• 7+ years manufacturing experience, including 3+ years in a production, operations, or manufacturing management role. Ideally in a cnc machining environment.
• Proven experience leading and developing production teams in a high-volume manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning to develop and implement operations strategy.
• Direct hourly production teams; coach and develop staff.
• Oversee capacity planning, scheduling, and inventory management.
• Collaborate with engineering and quality teams on process improvements.
• Ensure safety, quality, and efficiency; drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain On Time Delivery (OTD) in alignment with QMS.

Skills

Production leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Kaizen

Scheduling

Capacity planning

Inventory management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's in Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

MRP/ERP systems

Job description

• Contribute to the strategic planning process of developing and implementing operations strategy.
• Ensure the team’s operational performance metrics meet or exceed objectives.
• Conduct weekly GEMBA meetings with production teams to communicate daily performance, discuss underperformance and quality issues, and remind employees of proper procedures.
• Directs planning of products and cells based on order demand and delivery schedules.
• Reviews daily shop production schedules and create team plans accordingly.
• Conduct meetings with the production manager, planner, supervisors, and leads to discuss the plan of action and execution.
• Interprets specifications, blueprints, and job orders to employees and assigns duties.
• Executes plans and monitors progress while providing expertise and assistance in areas needed to ensure the successful completion of weekly production demands.
• Develop, train, provide effective supervision, and motivate the hourly production team.
• Identify opportunities for cross-training to enhance capacity and responsiveness to customer requirements.
• Develops and recommends improvements of facility, equipment, or procedures to improve safety, quality, and efficiency.
• Oversees and directs overall capacity planning, allocation of reserve capacity, identification of planned shutdowns, and allocation of downtime for maintenance.
• Reviews and analyzes the production, quality, maintenance, and operational reports to determine causes of nonconformity with product specifications, and operating or production problems.
• Works with engineering and quality teams to review MRB and re-work/repair products.
• Consults with the engineering team relative to the modification of machines, processes, tooling, fixtures, and equipment in order to improve the production or quality of products.
• Recommends, implements, and monitors changes required to ensure consistent rate (PPH) and overall throughput through manufacturing cells.
• Works with Quality Control to establish a self-auditing process to check parts for conformance to print.
• Provides input and guidance for new product development, new technology implementation, and overall improvement strategies.
• Owner of On Time Delivery metric and process, in compliance with QMS.
• Takes accountability for the effectiveness of QMS within the production group.
• Establishes and maintains a working environment that follows IATF requirements.
• Works closely with customer service to respond to customer queries around OTD issues.
• Manage and direct team and work with HR to address employee issues as they arise.
• Manage disciplinary and progress reviews process.
• Enforce and monitor all company policies.
• Ensures health and safety guidelines set by the company.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field; equivalent manufacturing leadership experience may be considered.
• 7+ years of manufacturing experience, including 3+ years in a production, operations, or manufacturing management role. Ideally in a cnc machining environment.
• Proven experience leading and developing production teams in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of production planning, scheduling, capacity planning, and inventory management.
• Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or similar methodologies.