Operations Manager-Manufacturing General

KI; Manitowoc (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Health benefits

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Wellness resources

Educational support

Full benefits package

Job summary

KI is seeking an Operations Manager at its Manitowoc manufacturing facility to lead safety, quality, and throughput improvements. The role focuses on lean manufacturing and continuous improvement to optimize operations and profitability.

You will lead a team of technicians, partner with engineering and customer service, and ensure on-time shipping, strong inventory control, and data-driven decision making in a dynamic production environment in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations, or related field.
• 5+ years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Experience with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to analyze data, drive decisions, and lead through change.

Responsibilities

• Safety and Quality: Ensuring a safe working environment and maintaining high-quality standards.
• Operational Efficiency: Managing on-time shipping, inventory control, and labor efficiencies.
• Continuous Improvement: Working with the engineering team on projects and assisting with ISO documentation and certification audits.
• Team Leadership: Coaching and problem-solving with technicians and managing multiple direct reports.
• Customer Focus: Collaborating with customer service and other corporate departments to meet customer expectations.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Data analysis

Problem solving

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations, or related field

Job description

At KI, we believe knowing our customers helps us serve them better. We listen. We observe. We understand that each customer has unique needs. So, we pride ourselves on helping our customers make smart furniture decisions by offering expert advice, design options and personalized solutions. Since 1941, we’ve positioned KI as the furniture company that best understands the furniture industry and is committed to providing customers with the smart solutions. By targeting specific markets with solutions for business furniture, university furniture, educational furniture, healthcare furniture and government furniture, we can quickly respond to our customers’ unique needs – including the choice to procure furniture according to what fits their ordering and fulfillment process. That’s why we say we offer far more than furniture. We’re Furnishing Knowledge.

KI has an opening for an Operations Manager at its Manitowoc facility. The organization takes pride in its culture of trust, communication, partnership, continuous improvement and personal and professional development and is seeking a like‑minded individual to join our Plant Leadership team.

This position is responsible for coordinating and directing operations activities of assigned department in the Manitowoc manufacturing facility to result in optimum efficiency and economy of operations while maximizing profit. In addition, this role is responsible for implementing and supporting lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.

What You'll Do

• Safety and Quality: Ensuring a safe working environment and maintaining high-quality standards.
• Operational Efficiency: Managing on‑time shipping, inventory control, and labor efficiencies.
• Continuous Improvement: Working with the engineering team on projects and assisting with ISO documentation and certification audits.
• Team Leadership: Coaching and problem‑solving with technicians and managing multiple direct reports.
• Customer Focus: Collaborating with customer service and other corporate departments to meet customer expectations.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related field required.
• 5+ years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Ability to analyze data, drive decisions, and lead through change.

Why Join Us?

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): As an employee, you will have stock ownership in the company.
• Comprehensive Health Benefits: Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance.
• Retirement Savings: A 401(k) Plan with Company Match.
• Paid Time Off: Paid Vacation, Sick Days, & Holidays.
• Wellness Resources: Access to an on‑site fitness center, fitness reimbursement program, and on‑site nurse.
• Educational Support: Educational Reimbursement Program for degree programs and certifications.
• Full Benefits Package: Includes life insurance, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

KI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.