Job Description
Job Description
Position Title: Operations Manager
Location: Addison, IL
Reports To: Vice President of Operations
About the Role
The Operations Manager will lead all aspects of manufacturing operations for a growing electrical distribution equipment manufacturer. This role oversees fabrication, assembly, and testing functions to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production of custom-engineered electrical power solutions. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with strong technical expertise, operational excellence experience, and the ability to drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced, engineer-to-order (ETO) environment.
Key Responsibilities
Operations Management
- Oversee daily fabrication, assembly, and testing operations to meet production schedules and quality standards.
- Manage shipping, receiving, materials flow, and inventory control.
- Track and analyze KPIs related to output, quality, cost, and delivery performance.
- Drive Lean, Six Sigma, and process improvement initiatives to enhance productivity and reduce waste.
Leadership
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of 40–50 employees, including supervisors, technicians, and operators.
- Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
- Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Project Management to align operational execution with business goals.
- Support workforce planning, training, and performance management initiatives.
Quality & Compliance
- Ensure adherence to ISO, UL, OSHA, and other applicable regulatory standards.
- Champion defect reduction and root cause analysis to improve product reliability.
- Promote and maintain safety and quality as top operational priorities.
Process & Equipment Optimization
- Collaborate with Engineering and Maintenance to improve equipment performance and reduce downtime.
- Identify and implement automation and cost-saving opportunities across production areas.
- Standardize manufacturing procedures and documentation for efficiency and scalability.
Safety & Environmental Compliance
- Lead safety initiatives to ensure compliance with OSHA, NFPA, and environmental regulations.
- Conduct regular safety audits, enforce PPE requirements, and lead incident investigations.
- Promote a proactive safety culture across all production teams.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related field.
- 6+ years of experience in electrical distribution equipment manufacturing (switchgear, switchboards, circuit breakers, transformers, etc.).
- Proven track record managing engineer-to-order (ETO) manufacturing operations.
- Demonstrated leadership in fabrication, assembly, and testing environments.
- Strong proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (NetSuite preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.
- Experience applying Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to improve efficiency and quality.
- Excellent communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.
Preferred:
- Direct experience with switchgear manufacturing.
- Background with leading competitors or similar organizations in power distribution equipment.
Key Attributes for Success
- Hands-on, results-driven leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.
- Strategic thinker with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and long-term commitment.
- Effective communicator who can engage teams and foster collaboration across departments.
Compensation & Schedule
- Salary Range: $150,000–$180,000
- Bonus: Up to 20% annual performance bonus
- Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM; occasional Saturdays as needed
- Travel: Minimal, primarily local
Why Join
This is a key leadership opportunity with a growing organization that has a strong project backlog through next year and beyond. The company offers stability, autonomy, and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on operational excellence, quality, and customer satisfaction.
Company Description
Global manufacturer of custom industrial machinery used in heating element production across multiple industries.