Operations Manager

American Recruiters; Ocala (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

American Recruiters in Ocala, FL seeks a Director of Operations to own end-to-end manufacturing, from receiving materials to delivering finished insulated panels and refrigeration systems.

You will drive production efficiency, uphold quality standards, and foster a safety-first culture through Lean initiatives, vendor coordination, and team development.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of progressive management experience in a manufacturing or construction-related environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Proficiency with ERP software and MS Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Direct production & workflow management to meet on-time orders while optimizing labor and machine utilization.
• Oversee assembly of walk-in coolers, freezers, and HVAC components to meet customer specs.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement to reduce waste and boost throughput.
• Oversee the drafting/engineering department and ensure alignment with production goals.
• Ensure strict QA, safety (OSHA) and environmental compliance for refrigerants.
• Coordinate with procurement and QA for material availability and defect remediation.
• Manage supply chain relationships and third-party vendors; support budget and P&L accountability.
• Recruit, train, and mentor production technicians, leads, and warehouse staff; drive high performance and development.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication

Resource allocation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management or Industrial Engineering

Tools

ERP software

MS Office

Job description

As the Director of Operations for the refrigeration manufacturing facility, you will be the central figure in driving production efficiency, ensuring the highest quality standards, and maintaining a safety-first culture. You will oversee the end-to-end manufacturing process—from receiving raw materials to delivering finished insulated panels and refrigeration systems.

Core Responsibilities

• Production & Workflow Management
• Directly manage production schedules to ensure on-time order completion while optimizing labor and machine utilization.
• Oversee the assembly of walk-in coolers, freezers, and associated HVAC components, ensuring all units meet specific customer requirements.
• Implement and lead Lean Manufacturing or continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste and increase throughput.
• Oversee the drafting (engineering) department.
• Quality Assurance & Compliance
• Enforce rigorous quality control measures to ensure "cold chain" integrity and temperature control standards are met.
• Maintain absolute compliance with OSHA safety standards and environmental regulations, particularly regarding refrigerants.
• Coordinate with the QA team to monitor first-pass yields and implement corrective actions for any production defects.
• Supply Chain & Resource Oversight
• Partner with procurement to manage raw material inventory levels (e.g., sheet metal, insulation foam, compressors) to prevent production interruptions.
• Manage relationships with third-party vendors for critical components and facility maintenance.
• P & L Accountability
• Develop and manage the annual operational budget, tracking key financial metrics to ensure profitability.
• Recruit, train, and mentor a diverse team of production technicians, leads, and warehouse staff.
• Foster a high-performance culture through regular performance evaluations and professional development programs.

Required Qualifications

• Experience: 5-10 years of progressive management experience in a manufacturing or construction-related environment.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or a related field is preferred.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with ERP software and MS Office Suite.
• Key Soft Skills: Strong analytical thinking for resource allocation and exceptional communication for interdepartmental collaboration.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE): A metric measuring the availability, performance, and quality of production lines.
• On-Time Delivery: Percentage of finished walk-in units delivered by the customer's deadline.
• First Pass Yield (FPY): Percentage of products manufactured correctly the first time without rework.