Shop Operations Leader: Lean, 5S & Production Excellence

Brightpath Associates LLC; Duluth (MN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Brightpath Associates LLC is seeking a hands-on Operations Manager in the Duluth area to oversee shop and daily business operations. The role focuses on organizing the shop, ensuring parts and information are ready before work begins, and coordinating with staff to reduce delays and rework while upholding high-quality standards.

You will manage scheduling, materials, bay organization, and accountability, while improving inventory, purchasing, labor tracking, and job costing.

Qualifications

• Operations leadership experience in manufacturing, fabrication, truck upfitting, heavy equipment, or trailer service.
• Practical knowledge of hydraulics, pneumatics, PTOs, and hydraulic pumps.
• Strong scheduling, workflow-management, and organizational skills.
• Experience leading employees and maintaining accountability.
• Familiarity with inventory, purchasing, job costing, ERP systems, and operating metrics.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to quality, safety, customer service, and responsible spending.

Responsibilities

• Managing shop scheduling, workflow, staffing, and resource allocation.
• Ensuring parts and materials are available before work begins.
• Keeping bays organized, scheduled, and productive.
• Applying practical 5S organization principles.
• Providing employees with clear direction and accountability.
• Improving inventory, purchasing, labor tracking, and job costing.
• Developing and training standard operating procedures.
• Monitoring productivity, efficiency, and job profitability.
• Supporting customer and vendor relationships.
• Maintaining a safe working environment.
• Working with ownership on priorities, budgets, and capital spending.

Skills

Operations leadership

Hydraulics & pneumatics

Scheduling & organization

Staff leadership

Inventory, purchasing, job costing

ERP systems

Communication & problem-solving

Quality, safety & customer service

Job description

Brightpath Associates LLC is seeking a hands-on Operations Manager in the Duluth area to oversee shop and daily business operations. The role focuses on organizing the shop, ensuring parts and information are ready before work begins, and coordinating with staff to reduce delays and rework while upholding high-quality standards.

You will manage scheduling, materials, bay organization, and accountability, while improving inventory, purchasing, labor tracking, and job costing.