Senior Operations Manager

Confidential Employer; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking a Senior Operations Manager – Manufacturing to lead a high-volume production environment. The role drives safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives while building a culture of accountability and operational excellence.

You will oversee multiple departments, develop frontline leaders, and champion Lean initiatives to improve productivity and efficiency across the plant.

Qualifications

• Progressive leadership experience in manufacturing or similar complex production environments.
• Experience leading multiple departments or large operational teams.
• Strong understanding of safety, quality, productivity, and delivery KPIs.
• Proven track record of sustainable process improvements and cost control.
• Demonstrated ability to develop frontline and mid-level leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations to hit safety, quality, production, service, and cost targets.
• Provide direction to operations leaders, supervisors, and production teams.
• Set performance expectations and use KPIs to close gaps and drive actions.
• Improve productivity, labor utilization, throughput, and waste reduction.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving.
• Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, HR, and others.
• Develop leadership talent through coaching, succession planning, and performance management.
• Ensure compliance with standards, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Support capacity planning, staffing, and production planning based on demand.
• Lead change initiatives and build engagement in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Operations management

KPIs

Change management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Senior Operations Manager – Manufacturing

We are conducting a confidential search for an accomplished Senior Operations Manager to provide strategic and operational leadership within a high-volume manufacturing environment. This leader will be responsible for driving performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, workforce development, and continuous improvement while building a culture of accountability and operational excellence.

What You’ll Do

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing operations with responsibility for achieving safety, quality, production, service, and cost objectives.
• Provide leadership and direction to operations leaders, supervisors, and production teams.
• Establish performance expectations and use key operational metrics to identify gaps and drive corrective actions.
• Improve productivity, labor utilization, throughput, waste reduction, and overall operating efficiency.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives using Lean manufacturing, root-cause analysis, and structured problem-solving methods.
• Partner cross-functionally with Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and other business functions.
• Develop leadership talent through coaching, succession planning, performance management, and employee development.
• Ensure compliance with company standards, safety requirements, operating procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Support capacity planning, staffing strategies, production planning, and operational readiness based on business demand.
• Lead change effectively and build employee engagement in a fast-paced, results-oriented manufacturing environment.

What We’re Looking For

• Significant progressive leadership experience within manufacturing or a similarly complex production environment such as ecommerce distribution.
• Experience leading multiple departments, production areas, or large operational teams.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing KPIs, including safety, quality, productivity, labor efficiency, waste, downtime, and on-time delivery.
• Demonstrated success improving operational performance and implementing sustainable process improvements.
• Strong people leadership skills with experience developing frontline and mid-level leaders.
• Working knowledge of Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Strong business judgment with the ability to translate operational data into action.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and change-management skills.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent combination of education and relevant leadership experience may be considered.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity for an experienced manufacturing leader to make a meaningful impact on operational performance, leadership capability, and the long-term success of a significant manufacturing operation. The ideal candidate combines a strong floor presence with strategic thinking and knows how to create sustainable results through people, process, and accountability.

Confidentiality Notice

This search is being conducted confidentially. Additional information regarding the organization, facility, reporting relationships, and specific business needs will be shared with qualified candidates at the appropriate stage of the selection process.