Operations Manager

Jabil; Gurnee (IL); On-site; USD 143,000 - 257,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401K match

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Disability Insurance

Commuter Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Jabil in Gurnee, IL, seeks an Operations Manager to lead the site with efficiency, integrity, and enthusiasm, driving continuous improvement and exceptional customer support. The role requires hands-on leadership across departments and a focus on coaching managers to deliver operational excellence.

The position emphasizes strategic direction, cost management, and forecasting, with responsibilities spanning recruitment, development, performance management, and safety adherence in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• 8–10 years in manufacturing or operations with 5+ years in leadership roles managing managers and supervisors.
• Hands-on leader who drives culture, change, and continuous improvement.
• Experience in a complex, matrixed, fast-paced manufacturing environment; strong safety mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational execution across leadership, functional, and technical management responsibilities.
• Recruit, interview, and hire Functional Managers; coach them through the process and drive retention.
• Identify strengths and development needs; create training curricula and succession plans for managers.
• Establish measurable goals and monitor operational metrics, timelines, and performance.

Skills

Leadership experience

Operations management

Manufacturing excellence

People development

ERP systems

Workday

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

SAP

Workday

Microsoft Office

Job description

At Jabil (NYSE: JBL), we are proud to be a trusted partner for the world's top brands, offering comprehensive engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing solutions. With 60 years of experience across industries and a vast network of over 100 sites worldwide, Jabil combines global reach with local expertise to deliver both scalable and customized solutions. Our commitment extends beyond business success as we strive to build sustainable processes that minimize environmental impact and foster vibrant and diverse communities around the globe.

Position Summary Lead the Operations Department with a high level of efficiency, integrity, and enthusiasm, striving to achieve excellence in all endeavors. Serve as a creative and proactive leader of the management team, with a strong focus on continuous improvement. Provide exceptional support to customers, team members, and shareholders.

Location This position will be based onsite at our manufacturing facility in Gurnee, IL.

What Will You Do?

The Operations Manager leads operational execution across leadership, functional, and technical management responsibilities.

Leadership & Management Responsibilities

Recruitment & Retention

• Recruit, interview, and hire Functional Managers. Coach Functional Managers throughout the interviewing and hiring process. Monitor team member turnover, identify key factors that can be improved, and implement improvements.

Employee & Team Development

• Identify individual and team strengths and development needs on an ongoing basis. Create and/or validate training curriculum within the area of responsibility. Coach and mentor Functional Managers to deliver excellence to every internal and external customer. Create and manage succession plans for Functional Managers.

Performance Management

• Establish clear, measurable goals and objectives to evaluate individual and team results, including operational metrics, project timelines, training documentation, attendance records, knowledge of operational roles and responsibilities, and personal development goals. Solicit ongoing feedback from Workcell members, Business Unit Managers (BUMs), and Functional Managers regarding the Functional Manager's contribution to the team. Provide ongoing coaching and counseling to Functional Managers based on feedback. Express pride in staff and encourage team members to recognize their accomplishments. Perform team member evaluations professionally and on time. Drive individuals and teams to continuously improve key operational metrics and achieve organizational goals. Coordinate the activities of large teams and keep them focused during times of crisis.

Communication

• Ensure recognition and rewards are managed fairly and consistently within the area of responsibility. Provide communication forums for the exchange of ideas and information within the department. Organize verbal and written ideas clearly and use an appropriate business style. Ask questions and encourage input from team members. Assess the communication styles of individual team members and adapt communication accordingly.

Functional Management Responsibilities

Business Strategy & Direction

• Create and communicate strategic direction for the site. Define, develop, and implement strategies that contribute to corporate strategic direction. Provide regular updates to Functional and Corporate Operations Managers on strategy execution.

Cost Management

• Identify creative opportunities to reduce costs by streamlining processes and systems, including modifying responsibilities, consolidating tasks, eliminating non-value-added processes, and re-engineering processes and systems. Utilize tools to monitor departmental costs and cost trends, continuously seeking opportunities to improve value. Provide feedback to Business Unit Managers (BUMs), Workcell Managers (WCMs), and Functional Managers (FMs) regarding costs and cost trends.

Forecast Development & Accuracy

• Prepare timely forecasts for the campus. Compare forward forecast results with historical actual results to assess and analyze trends.

Technical Management Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement through trend reporting, analysis, and metrics management. Assess the adequacy of data-gathering methods utilized by the workcells. Ensure procedures and work instructions are efficient and not redundant. Offer new ideas and suggestions for improvement, and identify and implement practices and processes that are "best in field." Demonstrate a commitment to customer service by anticipating, meeting, and exceeding expectations, solving problems quickly and effectively, and making customer issues a priority. Establish new measurement systems where possible. Exchange knowledge and information with other Jabil facilities to ensure best practices are shared throughout the Jabil organization. Ensure 100% adherence to all company policies and procedures, including Health and Safety and Quality requirements. Ensure all sensitive and confidential information is handled appropriately. Encourage team members to maintain in-depth experience and knowledge of emerging electronic, manufacturing, and materials management technologies. Support Jabil's continued leadership in developing and adapting effective advanced systems and methods. Support all company safety and quality programs and initiatives. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

How Will You Get Here?

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. Advanced degree preferred.
• 8-10 years of manufacturing or operations experience, including a minimum 5 years in a leadership role managing managers and supervisors.
• Hands‑on leader who leads from the front and drives culture and change.
• Willingness to be on the floor and flex across shifts as the business requires.
• Experience in a complex, matrixed, fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to influence customers, executives, and peers at all levels.
• Strong safety mindset and a record of building a safety culture.
• Working knowledge of operational metrics, labor planning, financial management, and continuous improvement tools.
• Proficiency with Workday, SAP (ERP/MES), and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and communicate information from common scientific and/or technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Ability to respond effectively to inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume, and apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The team member must be able to work effectively under pressure while managing constantly changing priorities and deadlines. The role may require regularly sitting, standing, and walking, as well as occasionally lifting up to 15 pounds. The team member must be accessible to both production‑floor and office staff and able to use required office equipment. Specific vision requirements include the frequent reading of written documents and use of computer monitors.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. The primary workstation is located in an office environment where the noise level is generally low. The team member may also frequently work on the manufacturing floor, where noise levels are typically low to moderate.

Benefits Package with Jabil

• Competitive base salary
• Short Term Incentive Plan
• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug, and Vision Insurance with HRA and HSA options
• 401K match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Life, AD&DJBL TA - Job Requisition Process Status, and Disability Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Pet Insurance
• Adoption Assistance
• Annual Merit Increases
• Community Volunteer Opportunity

The pay range for this role is $142,500 - $256,500.

Job-related, non-discriminatory factors used to determine the actual offered rate include qualifications and experience, geographic location, education, external market data, and consideration of internal equity.

As part of the total rewards package, this position is eligible for a short-term incentive based on performance.

In addition, Jabil offers benefits to enhance your health, wealth, and resilient self. These include medical, dental, and vision insurance plans; paid time off accruing at a rate of 3.07 hours during your first year of employment; 4 weeks of paid parental leave; in 2027, 11 company-paid holidays (9 fixed holidays and 2 optional floating holidays), subject to change yearly; 401(k) retirement plan; and employee stock purchase plan.

Jabil may use artificial intelligence (AI) in connection with various aspects of its recruitment and hiring functions. If and when AI is used, Jabil ensures that its use of AI would not have the effect of subjecting employees to discrimination on the basis of protected classes.

Jabil, including its subsidiaries, is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Accessibility Accommodation

If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access Jabil.com/Careers site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by sending an e‑mail to [e-mail] or calling 727-803-7988 with the nature of your request and contact information. Please do not direct any other general employment related questions to this e‑mail or phone number. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to.

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