Senior Manager, Manufactruing Operations

Beehive Industries, LLC; Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with company match

Equity in company

Bonus eligible

Comprehensive health benefits

Job summary

Beehive Industries in Knoxville, TN is seeking a Senior Manager, Manufacturing Operations to lead all production, post-processing, and shipping for the site. You will drive Lean/Six Sigma initiatives and scale additive manufacturing processes (LPBF/MBJ) to deliver high-quality aerospace components.

The role reports to the Operations Director and manages two Supervisors and a 15+ team, bridging engineering and operations to build a high-performing, compliant organization in a fast-paced defense

Qualifications

• 8–12+ years in manufacturing with emphasis in advanced/additive manufacturing.
• 5+ years leading teams in production or manufacturing engineering.
• Hands-on or applied metal AM with LPBF/MBJ is preferred.
• Experience managing production environments with output, quality, and delivery accountability.
• Background in aerospace/defense or other regulated settings with strong quality/compliance.
• Familiarity with CAD software, ERP systems, and manufacturing systems.
• Experience applying Lean/Six Sigma to drive measurable improvements.
• Ability to influence across functions and lead through ambiguity.
• Strong analytical ability to interpret data and drive decisions.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily production, post-processing, and logistics operations across the Knoxville site.
• Provide direct leadership to two Supervisors and manage a 15+ employee team.
• Set daily/weekly priorities in line with Production Control and delivery commitments.
• Advance additive manufacturing capabilities (LPBF/MBJ) from print to inspection.
• Develop end-to-end workflows for transition from development to full-rate production.
• Drive Lean/Six Sigma initiatives to improve throughput and reduce waste.
• Track metrics: on-time delivery, yield, equipment utilization, and cost performance.
• Ensure adherence to EHS, quality, and regulatory requirements in aerospace/defense contexts.
• Monitor operational performance and support cost control and productivity improvements.
• Lead hiring, coaching, and workforce planning to build a high-performing team.

Skills

Team leadership

Lean Six Sigma

Additive manufacturing

LPBF/MBJ

Data analysis

CAD (NX/SolidWorks)

ERP systems

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

ERP systems

Job description

Senior Manager, Manufactruing Operations

Beehive Industries is dedicated to Powering American Defense by revolutionizing the design, development, and delivery of jet propulsion systems to support the warfighter. Through the integration of additive manufacturing, the company aims to meet the growing and urgent needs for unmanned aerial defense by dramatically improving a jet engine’s speed to market, fuel efficiency, and cost.

Founded in 2020, the company is headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, with additional facilities in Knoxville, Tennessee, Loveland Ohio, and Mount Vernon, Ohio. Beehive is committed to grow and advance the defense industrial base while manufacturing exclusively in the USA. This role will be located at our Cincinnati, Ohio facility.

Role Overview

At Beehive Industries, we believe there is a better way to meet our clients' needs. Through additive manufacturing, Beehive Industries helps clients achieve more than what has ever been thought possible.

TheSenior Manufacturing Operations Manageris responsible forleading all aspects of production,post-processing, and shipping & receiving for the Knoxville, Tennessee site. As Beehive’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence, this role plays a critical part in scaling and industrializing additive manufacturing processes, including Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) and Metal Binder Jetting (MBJ).

This role sits between site-level execution and strategic leadership, reporting to the Operations Director.The Senior Manager will lead a team consisting of two Operations Supervisors, with overall responsibility for a team of 15+ employees.

This position requires a leader who can bridge engineering and operations,drivingprocess discipline, technical excellence, and production performance while building a high-performing, engaged team.

What You'll Do...

• Operational Leadership: Lead daily production, post-processing, andlogisticsoperations, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality execution across the Knoxville site.
• Team Leadership & Development: Provide direct leadership totwo Operations Supervisors, with overall responsibility for a team of 15+ employeesfostering a culture of accountability, technical growth, and continuous improvement.
• Production & Resource Planning: Set daily and weekly priorities in alignment with Production Control, balancing capacity, engineering constraints, and customer delivery commitments.
• Additive Manufacturing Excellence: Support and advance additive manufacturing capabilities, including LPBF and MBJ, ensuring processes areoptimizedfrom print readiness through final inspection.
• Process Optimization & Industrialization: Drive the development and implementation of robust, end-to-end workflows that enable the transition from development to full-rate production.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead Leanand Six Sigma initiatives to improve throughput, reduce waste, and enhance process capability across manufacturing and post-processing operations.
• Performance Management: Track and drive key metrics including on-time delivery, yield, equipmentutilization, and cost performance.
• Compliance & Quality: Ensure adherence to EHS, quality, and regulatory requirements, particularly within aerospace and defense manufacturing environments.
• Financial & Business Acumen: Monitor and report on operational performance, supporting cost control and productivity improvements aligned with site and company goals.
• Talent & Engagement: Build and develop a high-performing team through coaching, performance management, and active participation in hiring and workforce planning.

You Have...

• Experience: 8–12+ years of experience in manufacturing, with a strongemphasis withinadvanced or additive manufacturing environments.
• Leadership: 5+ years of experience leading teams in a production and/or manufacturing engineering setting, withdemonstratedsuccess building high-performing teams.
• Additive Manufacturing Knowledge: Hands-on or applied experience with metal additive manufacturing processes such as LPBF and/or MBJ is strongly preferred.
• Operations Background: Proven experience managing or supporting production environments, with accountability for output, quality, and delivery.
• Industry Experience: Background in aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments with strong quality and compliance standards.
• Technical & Systems Knowledge: Familiarity with CAD software (NX, SolidWorks), ERP systems, and manufacturing systems.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies to drive measurable improvements.
• Leadership & Communication Skills: Ability to influence across functions, communicate effectively with both technical and operational teams, and lead through ambiguity in a fast-paced environment.
• Analytical Capability: Strong ability to interpret data,identifytrends, and drive decisions that improve operational and engineering performance.

If this sounds like you, please submit an application with your resume. This could be the opportunity you are looking for to expand your skills, contribute to a winning team, and work with talented people who love what they do and take pride in our mission.

Beehive Industries offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes group Medical, Dental, Life,and Short and Long-Term disability coverage from day one. We also offer a generous 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with a Company match.Every role at Beehive Industries is bonus eligible and will also receive equity in the company.

Beehive Industries is committed to full compliance with applicable anti-discrimination laws. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We strive to create an inclusive work environment and will not discriminateon the basis ofrace, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.