Location: Lorain, OH | Schedule: Full-time, on-site
Overview
An established manufacturer is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead its U.S. business entity, overseeing manufacturing operations, a central warehouse, finance, and supporting business functions. This role ensures operational excellence, financial integrity, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction while driving continuous improvement across the organization. The Operations Manager provides strategic and day-to-day leadership for production, warehousing, logistics, maintenance, quality, environmental health and safety (QHSE), finance, and administrative support, and serves as a member of the Local Management Team (LMT), collaborating with Sales, Product Management, Finance, and other leaders to support sustainable business growth. The role also serves as the authorized signatory and legal representative of the U.S. entity, as delegated by executive management.
What you'll do
- Develop and execute annual operational plans aligned with corporate strategy and North American business objectives
- Establish departmental goals, budgets, staffing plans, and performance metrics
- Lead manufacturing, warehouse, logistics, maintenance, and support functions to achieve production and customer service targets
- Monitor operational performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives
- Ensure operational efficiency, productivity, quality, and cost control
- Oversee manufacturing operations to ensure production schedules are achieved safely, efficiently, and within quality standards
- Ensure adequate staffing, equipment, materials, and resources are available to meet customer demand
- Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
- Monitor key performance indicators and implement corrective actions when necessary
- Direct warehouse operations to ensure inventory accuracy and efficient material flow
- Optimize warehouse capacity, storage utilization, and inventory turnover
- Ensure timely order fulfillment and shipping performance
- Monitor inventory levels to minimize stock-outs while controlling carrying costs
- Provide overall financial leadership for U.S. operations
- Manage accounting, accounts receivable, credit control, cash management, budgeting, and financial reporting
- Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting
- Oversee forecasting and long-range financial planning
- Ensure compliance with accounting standards, tax regulations, and internal controls
- Monitor operational expenditures and identify opportunities for cost savings
- Lead, coach, and develop direct reports across Operations and Finance
- Promote employee engagement, accountability, teamwork, and continuous development
- Ensure appropriate staffing levels and succession planning
- Foster collaboration across departments
- Partner with Human Resources on employee relations, performance management, recruiting, and compliance
- Ensure manufacturing and support processes consistently meet customer expectations and service level agreements (SLAs)
- Resolve operational issues affecting customer service
- Support Sales and Customer Service teams in delivering exceptional customer experiences
- Promote and maintain a safe workplace
- Ensure compliance with OSHA, environmental regulations, and company safety policies
- Support quality management systems and continuous improvement initiatives
- Lead investigations and corrective actions related to safety or quality incidents
- Participate as a member of the Local Management Team (LMT)
- Support organizational strategy through operational and financial planning
- Evaluate business performance and recommend process improvements
- Lead organizational change initiatives that improve efficiency and business performance
Required qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, supply chain, or related fields
- Knowledge of and experience organizing effective business operations in a commercial environment
- Knowledge of and insight into factors that influence customer needs and customer satisfaction regarding manufacturability, quality, return, and risk management
- Experience with personnel management and implementing organizational change
- Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations for safety, health, and the environment
Why this role
This is an opportunity to lead the full scope of a U.S. business entity's operations and finance functions, serve as a key member of the Local Management Team, and act as the authorized signatory and legal representative of the entity as delegated by executive management.