Operations Manager

Confidential; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking an Operations Manager to lead daily manufacturing operations and quality control, driving Lean transformations and continuous improvement across safety, quality, cost and productivity at the Indianapolis site.

You will manage a team of supervisors and hourly staff, develop operational strategies, mentor talent, and partner with cross‑functional teams to sustain high performance and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Management, or a related technical field.
• 4-7 years of manufacturing leadership experience in a mid-level management role.
• 7-10 years of broad manufacturing background.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily manufacturing operations and quality control to drive operational excellence.
• Drive lean transformation and capital projects while leading a team of supervisors and hourly staff.
• Develop operational strategies and mentor talent to achieve business goals.
• Partner with cross-functional departments to improve quality, safety, cost and productivity.
• Support environmental health and safety initiatives and maintain 5S standards.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Kaizen

Gemba Walks

Value Stream Mapping

Kanban

SMED

Root Cause Analysis

Coaching

Quality Management

Production Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Business Management

Tools

Quality Management System

Job description

The Operations Manager leads daily manufacturing operations and quality control to drive operational excellence across Safety, Quality, Customer Service, Cost, Capability, and Productivity through the effective, disciplined utilization of lean operating principles. Reporting to the Site Manager, you will lead a team of supervisors and indirect hourly team members, establishing operational strategies, driving lean transformation, managing capital projects, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and talent development.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lean Manufacturing

• Champion continuous improvement and Lean Manufacturing principles daily using structured operating models, regular Gemba walks, Kaizen events, and 5S initiatives.
• Drive operational methodologies including Value Stream Mapping, Kanban, SMED, and root-cause problem-solving.
• Lead and mentor team members in continuous improvement thinking and practical applications.
• Manage asset sustainability, process standardization, and capital projects focused on continuous improvement.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement solutions to reduce waste and improve yield.

Environmental Health and Safety

• Drive a \"Safety First\" culture across all shifts, ensuring full compliance with plant safety standards, regulatory rules, protocols, and safety management controls.
• Lead proactive employee safety initiatives and engagement activities.
• Maintain strict 5S and housekeeping standards to reduce injury risks, waste, and scrap.
• Conduct root-cause investigations on safety incidents and implement corrective actions.

Quality Assurance and Control

• Oversee adherence and controls within the Quality Management System to ensure end products meet or exceed customer expectations.
• Serve as the internal voice of the customer to refine quality policies and standard operating procedures.
• Initiate action to prevent nonconformities relating to products, processes, and quality management systems.
• Lead root cause analysis to address process deviations and implement corrective measures.
• Partner with cross-functional departments in the value stream to continuously improve quality systems and controls.

Customer Care & Supply Chain

• Drive operational excellence to meet or exceed target customer service levels.
• Partner and coordinate with internal departments to secure resources and maintain adequate inventory levels.
• Support warehouse and shipping operations.

Cost & Productivity

• Lead the attainment of daily production output and throughput KPIs against performance targets.
• Analyze direct/indirect labor costs, overhead expenditures, and material usage to optimize profitability.
• Lead and support process improvements and equipment modifications to minimize operational costs.

Team Capability & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop direct reports to achieve key business and professional career goals.
• Partner with site leadership to drive training and development programs for hourly team members.
• Support onboarding activities for new hires.
• Utilize skill matrix tracking to continuously train and upskill site personnel.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Management, or a related technical field.
• Leadership Experience: 4-7 years of manufacturing leadership experience in a mid-level management role.
• Industry Experience: 7-10 years of broad manufacturing background.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma certification, or 3+ years of dedicated Continuous Improvement experience.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in environments with changing temperatures (hot or cold).
• Ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to walk, stand, or sit for extended periods.