Operations Manager

HolwegWeber Group; Kiel (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

HolwegWeber Group is seeking an Operations Manager to lead mechanical and electrical assembly, shipping/receiving, testing, maintenance, and continuous improvement. This role directs safety, quality, on-time delivery, and profitability across production lines in Wisconsin, USA.

You will mentor supervisors and technicians, set performance expectations, drive Lean initiatives (5S, Kaizen), and manage budgets while partnering with engineering and quality teams to optimize processes and customer

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering or technology field.
• 7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• 3+ years in machinery manufacturing or industrial equipment sectors.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate manufacturing operations including assembly, testing, and commissioning.
• Drive productivity, quality, and profitability through Lean initiatives.
• Lead and develop supervisors and technicians and manage budgets.

Skills

Leadership

Manufacturing Operations

Continuous Improvement

Safety Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering / Industrial Technology

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

The Operations Manager is responsible for leading and directing mechanical and electrical assembly, shipping and receiving, testing, maintenance, and continuous improvement activities. This role ensures safe, efficient, and profitable operations while maintaining the highest standards of quality, customer satisfaction, and on-time delivery.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Direct and coordinate manufacturing operations, assembly, electrical panel building, machine wiring, testing, and commissioning activities.
• Develop and execute operational strategies to improve productivity, quality, efficiency, and profitability.
• Ensure production schedules are achieved while maintaining customer delivery commitments.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) including productivity, labor efficiency, scrap, quality, safety, and on-time delivery.
• Lead production planning meetings and collaborate across departments to establish priorities.
• Lead, mentor, and develop supervisors, technicians, electricians, assemblers, and support staff.
• Establish performance expectations and foster a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct employee coaching, training, and performance evaluations.
• Support workforce planning, recruitment, retention, and succession planning initiatives.

Quality Management

• Ensure products meet company quality standards and customer specifications.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective action activities.
• Partner with engineering and quality teams to implement process improvements.
• Promote a culture focused on quality at every stage of production.

Safety & Compliance

• Champion workplace safety and ensure compliance with OSHA and company safety policies.
• Conduct regular safety walkthroughs and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Promote safe work practices for electrical systems, machinery, and manufacturing equipment.
• Ensure compliance with applicable electrical and manufacturing standards.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives, as needed.
• Identify process bottlenecks and implement solutions that improve throughput and efficiency.
• Analyze operational data to drive decision-making and continuous improvement efforts.
• Manage capital improvement projects and equipment upgrades.
• Develop and manage operational budgets.
• Monitor labor utilization, overtime, inventory levels, and production costs.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction without compromising safety or quality.
• Support annual planning and strategic growth initiatives.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Industrial Technology, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.

Experience

• 7+ years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• 3+ years of management experience within machinery manufacturing, automation, or industrial equipment industries.
• Experience with custom machine building, packaging machinery, or automated systems preferred.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams in a manufacturing environment.

Technical Knowledge

• Industrial electrical systems.
• Electrical schematics and panel design.
• ERP/MRP systems.
• Lean Manufacturing principles.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, production schedules, purchase orders, maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write reports, procedure manuals, and correspondence. Ability to communicate effectively with customers, vendors and other employees of the organization. Ability to present ideas, processes, and concepts during departmental and company meetings.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of specifications and information furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include training employees; assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Presenting at meetings and communicating in a positive and professional manner.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, carrying and moving parts, materials, and product. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.