Senior Operations Manager

DAPRA; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

DAPRA, a long-standing maker of American-made carbide milling tools, seeks a Senior Operations Manager to lead day-to-day manufacturing activities on-site. You will drive safety, quality, productivity and lead planning, scheduling, and workflow optimization across the plant.

This role requires hands-on leadership, Budget oversight, and a data-driven approach to continuous improvement, with collaboration across engineering, quality, supply chain, and leadership teams.

Qualifications

• Strong operations leadership in manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Experience with production planning, scheduling, and resource optimization.
• Proficiency in Lean, Kaizen, or Six Sigma and related cost-reduction initiatives.
• Ability to use data and metrics to analyze performance and drive decisions.
• Knowledge of manufacturing safety standards and compliance.
• Background in metalworking, machining, tooling, or related operations is beneficial.
• Excellent communication and collaboration across leadership, engineering, quality, and supply chain.
• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day manufacturing and operational activities to ensure safety, quality, and productivity targets.
• Lead production planning, scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Optimize workflows and drive continuous improvement initiatives across the plant.
• Supervise and develop operations staff; promote accountability and collaboration.
• Manage budgets and monitor performance metrics.
• Drive operational excellence through data-driven decisions and best practices.

Skills

Operations leadership

Production planning

Lean / Kaizen / Six Sigma

Data-driven decision making

Safety & compliance

Manufacturing knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Operations Management / Industrial Engineering / Business

Job description

Company Description

DAPRA is a long-standing manufacturer and solutions provider specializing in American-made, high-performance indexable carbide milling tools for demanding metalworking applications. For more than 65 years, the company has partnered with industrial manufacturers in mold and die, aerospace, automotive, and general machining to improve efficiency and profitability. DAPRA’s product portfolio includes advanced Ball Nose finishing tools, 90° Square Shoulder tools, versatile High-Feed milling systems, and the growing EDGE² series. The team is driven by customers’ toughest milling challenges and focuses on understanding each application to deliver optimal, high-value solutions and performance. Applicants can expect to join a company that combines deep technical expertise with a strong customer-centric mindset.

Role Description:

The Senior Operations Manager is a full-time, on-site role based in Macomb, Michigan, responsible for overseeing day-to-day manufacturing and operational activities to ensure safety, quality, and productivity targets are met. This role leads production planning, scheduling, and resource allocation, while optimizing workflows and implementing continuous improvement initiatives across the plant. The Senior Operations Manager supervises and develops operations staff, promotes a culture of accountability and collaboration, and aligns team objectives with business goals. The position works closely with leadership, supply chain, quality, and engineering to manage capacity, reduce operational risk, and support on-time delivery and customer satisfaction. The role also involves monitoring performance metrics, managing budgets, and driving operational excellence through data-driven decisions and best practices.

Qualifications

• Strong operations leadership skills, including team management, coaching, and performance development in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Experience with production planning, scheduling, and resource optimization to meet throughput, quality, and delivery objectives.
• Proficiency in process improvement methodologies (such as Lean, Kaizen, or Six Sigma) and experience implementing efficiency and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Capability in using data and operational metrics to analyze performance, identify root causes, and drive informed decision-making.
• Knowledge of manufacturing safety standards, compliance requirements, and best practices for maintaining a safe, high-performing workplace.
• Background in metalworking, machining, tooling, or related industrial operations is highly beneficial.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally with leadership, engineering, quality, and supply chain teams.
• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, prioritize initiatives, and adapt to evolving business and customer needs.