Operations Manager - Valves and Actuators

Woodward; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus program

401(k) match

Stock contribution

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Parental leave

Life and disability benefits

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Woodward's Fort Collins, Colorado facility seeks a Production Operations Manager to lead daily manufacturing operations, driving safety, quality and on-time delivery while controlling costs. You will manage the workforce, plan budgets, and optimize processes to enhance equipment efficiency and product quality.

The role requires strong leadership, problem solving, and data-driven decision making with proficiency in Excel, Power BI, Tableau, and SAP.

Qualifications

• Leadership and people management experience in manufacturing
• Strong problem solving and data-driven decisions
• Experience with production planning and KPI tracking (OEE, throughput)

Responsibilities

• Lead the daily manufacturing operations to meet safety, quality, and delivery targets.
• Develop and manage departmental plans, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Conduct performance appraisals and oversee hiring and training for the team.
• Monitor KPIs: OEE, throughput, scrap, on-time delivery, labor efficiency.
• Identify and resolve technical and operational issues quickly.
• Collaborate with other departments to align processes with business goals.

Skills

Leadership

Critical thinking

Operational management

Communication

Time management

Lean mindset

Production system

Excel/Power BI/Tableau

ERP systems (SAP)

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Tableau

SAP

Job description

Woodward is committed to creating a great workplace for all team members. Our company and its members are committed to acting with integrity, being respectful and accountable to one another, and staying humble and driven, while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards. We are steadfastly committed to attracting the best talent across our communities, creating a rewarding workplace. Together we are fulfilling our purpose to design and deliver energy control solutions our partners count on to power a clean future.

Production Operations Manager

Woodward's Industrial product division in Fort Collins, Colorado is seeking a Production Operations Manager who will responsible for leading all day-to-day manufacturing operations to ensure safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement objectives ae achieved.

Compensation & Benefits

Estimated annual base pay: $110,000-$150,000

• All members included in annual cash bonus opportunity. 401(k) match (4.5%)
• Annual Woodward stock contribution (5%)
• Tuition reimbursement and Training/Professional Development opportunities for all members
• 12 paid holidays
• Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance upon date of hire
• Vacation / Sick Time / Vacation Buy-up / Short Term Disability / Bereavement leave.
• Paid parental leave.
• Adoption Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits.
• Member Life & AD&D / Long Term Disability / Member Optional Life
• Member referral bonus
• Spouse / Child Optional Life / Optional AD&D / Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending
• Voluntary benefits, including:
• Home / Auto Insurance discounts
• Whole Life Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance / Legal Assistance / Military Leave

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership: Manage and oversee the operational team, ensuring that performance targets and quality standards are consistently met.
• Operational Planning: Develop and adapt departmental plans, budgets and priorities to address resource allocation and operational challenges effectively. (Responsible for budget and cost control.)
• Performance Management: Conduct member performance appraisals, handle hiring and training processes, and implement development plans to enhance team capabilities.
• Monitor and improve key performance indicators (KPIs) including OEE, throughput, scrap, on-time delivery, and labor efficiency.
• Problem Resolution: Identify and resolve technical and operational issues, ensuring minimal disruption to departmental objectives and overall performance.
• Cross Functional Coordination: Collaborate with other departments to integrate business processes and achieve strategic operational goals.

Key Skills

• Leadership: The ability to guide, motivate, and inspire multiple teams or departments to achieve organizational goals by aligning resources, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and driving accountability across broader operations.
• Critical Thinking, Problem Solving: The ability to lead teams in analyzing situations, evaluate options, and develop effective solutions using logic, creativity, and sound judgment.
• Operational Management: Proficient in managing and motivating teams to enhance performance and achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets. Adept at monitoring and managing financial performance, including budgeting and cost control within the area of responsibility.
• Communication: Sets example and models excellent communication skills with stakeholders, support teams, and with own team
• Time Management: Ability to identify critical tasks and allocate time and resources accordingly. Balances urgent production needs with medium-term improvement initiatives. Consistently meets production and delivery targets. Manages competing priorities without compromising quality or safety.
• Lean Mindset: Proficient with 5S, Visual Management, Standardized Work, Daily Management Systems, Flow / Pull, Value Stream Mapping and Improvement through Kaizen.
• Leads Production System implementation elements of member, machine, and material capacity planning. Leads DMS. Knowledgeable in how different business areas interact and integrates operations to support overall business objectives.
• Computer Skills: Strong skills in Excel, Power BI, or Tableau for operational reporting. Ability to analyze production data to identify trends, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities. Proficiency in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems like SAP. User level understanding of Material Requi