Operations Manager - Precision Machining

TekPro; Mount Prospect (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

TekPro is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead daily manufacturing operations at a high-mix, low-volume precision machining facility in Illinois. The role oversees production, engineering, quality, planning, maintenance and continuous improvement initiatives, with a focus on safety, quality, delivery, cost and productivity.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of manufacturing leadership, with aerospace or high-precision environments, proven CNC leadership across milling/turning/Swiss

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Experience in precision machining environments, preferably aerospace/defense.
• Proven track record in improving throughput, delivery and quality.
• Strong Lean, Kaizen and Six Sigma experience.
• Experience managing budgets and capital projects.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations across CNC machining, manufacturing engineering, quality, planning, maintenance and production support.
• Develop and mentor supervisors and department leaders to foster accountability and improvement.
• Drive SQDCP performance and operational excellence across the facility.
• Partner with executive leadership to set strategies that enable growth.
• Improve throughput, capacity utilization, machine efficiency and on-time delivery.
• Analyze KPIs and implement corrective actions to boost performance.
• Collaborate with Planning and Supply Chain on capacity, scheduling and demand.

Skills

Leadership

Manufacturing leadership

Aerospace/defense manufacturing

CNC machining operations

Lean / Six Sigma

Budgeting / cost control

People development

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related

Job description

TekPro is partnered with a highly successful and rapidly growing aerospace component manufacturer seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead daily manufacturing operations across a high-mix, low-volume precision machining facility.

This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for overseeing production, engineering, quality, planning, maintenance, and continuous improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate has a proven background leading operations within a precision machining environment and is passionate about developing people, improving processes, and delivering exceptional results.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead daily operations across CNC machining, manufacturing engineering, quality, planning, maintenance, and production support functions.
• Develop and mentor supervisors, engineers, and department leaders while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Drive Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Productivity (SQDCP) performance throughout the facility.
• Partner with executive leadership to establish operational strategies that support continued company growth.
• Improve manufacturing throughput, capacity utilization, machine efficiency, and on-time delivery.
• Analyze operational KPIs and implement corrective actions to improve performance.
• Work closely with Production Planning and Supply Chain to balance capacity, inventory, scheduling, and customer demand.
• Develop annual operating plans, budgets, labor planning, and capital expenditure recommendations.

What we are looking for:

• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including experience managing supervisors and cross-functional teams.
• Prior leadership within a precision machining, aerospace, defense, medical device, or other high-precision manufacturing environment is strongly preferred.
• Experience leading CNC machining operations with milling, turning, Swiss machining, or multi-axis manufacturing.
• Demonstrated success improving productivity, throughput, on-time delivery, quality, and operational performance.
• Experience leading Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen events, Six Sigma initiatives, or other operational excellence programs.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, labor utilization, and capital equipment projects.
• Excellent leadership, coaching, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, or a related discipline is preferred.