Operations Manager - Traverse City Area

the-pivot-group-careers; Traverse City (MI); On-site; USD 105,000 - 153,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pivot Group Network is seeking an Operations Manager in Traverse City, MI. This role focuses on leading daily production activities, optimizing productivity, and driving continuous improvement in a manufacturing environment.

The organization emphasizes real insight into candidates and collaborative partnerships with West Michigan manufacturers. Compensation aligns with experience, and the network places skilled professionals across the region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive operations management experience in manufacturing.
• Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement experience.
• Ability to manage production schedules, resource allocation, and on-time delivery.
• Strong leadership and communication skills with experience developing production teams.
• ERP/MRP systems proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily production activities to ensure efficiency and adherence to schedules.
• Develop and implement operational policies and procedures to optimize productivity and quality.
• Manage inventory levels and supply chain logistics to prevent disruptions and minimize costs.
• Lead, mentor, and evaluate a team of production supervisors and manufacturing personnel.
• Monitor KPIs and implement corrective actions to achieve targets.
• Collaborate with quality control, engineering, and R&D to improve products and processes.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and environmental standards in the plant.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using lean principles.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

People management

Education

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

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

Operations Manager | Traverse City, MI

Salary Range: $105,000 - $153,000 depending on experience

Are you ready to take on a challenging and rewarding opportunity in {{role_field}}? The Pivot Group Network, a West Michigan manufacturing-focused recruiting group, is committed to building meaningful connections in manufacturing. We partner with leading companies in Traverse City seeking Operations Managers.

We are building our network of talent in this field across West Michigan and the broader manufacturing region Pivot Group Network serves. Our partner companies may or may not have an immediate opening for this exact role today, but we actively look for skilled professionals in the regions where they operate. If there is alignment now or in the near future, we reach out.

The Opportunity

We collaborate with manufacturing companies in the Traverse City region seeking Operations Managers. These employers partner with us because they want real insight into candidates—not just resumes. By joining our network, you gain access to roles worth considering.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily production activities to ensure efficiency and adherence to schedules.
• Develop and implement operational policies and procedures to optimize productivity and quality.
• Manage inventory levels and supply chain logistics to prevent disruptions and minimize costs.
• Lead, mentor, and evaluate a team of production supervisors and manufacturing personnel.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement corrective actions to achieve operational targets.
• Collaborate with quality control, engineering, and R&D to improve product design and manufacturing processes.
• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations and environmental standards within the plant.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing principles and other methodologies.

Recommended Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of progressive experience in operations management within a manufacturing environment
• Proven experience with Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies
• Demonstrated ability to manage production schedules, optimize resource allocation, and ensure on-time delivery
• Strong leadership and communication skills with experience managing and developing production teams
• Proficiency in using ERP/MRP systems for production planning and inventory management

Bonus Qualifications

• Six Sigma Black Belt certification or equivalent continuous improvement methodology.
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems implementation or optimization.
• Proficiency in data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for operational insights.
• Bilingual proficiency, particularly in languages relevant to the company's supply chain or workforce.

Job Titles That Should Apply

Operations Manager, Director of Operations, Head of Operations, Operations Lead, Operations Director, Operations Supervisor, Business Operations Manager, Senior Operations Manager, Regional Operations Manager

Why The Pivot Group Network

The Pivot Group Network was founded by manufacturing professionals who've been on both sides of the hiring process. Our clients are strategic—they partner with us because they want real insight into their roles and the people filling them, not a stack of resumes. We focus on match-driven placements built around what actually matters: Commute, Compensation, Culture, and Career trajectory. Learn more at https://www.thepivotgroup.org.