Job: Senior Manufacturing Operations Manager
Location: Elmwood Park, IL
We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead and coordinate our manufacturing processes, ensuring the highest standards of efficiency, quality, and compliance in a unionized environment. The ideal candidate will manage and oversee multiple production functions, including sheet metal fabrication, welding, grinding, CNC machining, manual operations, inspection, tooling, and maintenance. This is an exciting opportunity for a results-oriented leader who excels in a dynamic, fast-paced manufacturing setting.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead daily manufacturing operations, driving efficiency and quality improvements across all production functions.
- Manage and coordinate teams within sheet metal, welding, grinding, CNC machining, and other manual operations.
- Ensure compliance with safety standards, union regulations, and company policies.
- Collaborate closely with inspection, tooling, and maintenance teams to optimize production workflows.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, promoting lean manufacturing principles.
- Oversee resource planning, inventory management, and operational budgets to ensure cost-effective manufacturing processes.
- Work cross-functionally with engineering, quality control, and leadership teams to support production goals.
- Resolve operational issues and implement long-term solutions to improve overall productivity.
Must-Have Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, business, or a related field.
- A minimum of five years of experience managing a manufacturing operations group.
- At least five years of leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Proven experience working in unionized environments.
- Extensive knowledge of CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, welding, and quality control.
- Experience in both small and large manufacturing environments.
- Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- A robust background in maintaining and promoting workplace safety standards.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Industry certifications such as PMP, MBB, CPIM, or CSCP.
- Experience in low-volume, high-mix production environments.
- Background in packaging equipment manufacturing.
- Experience working for small, family-owned companies, with the ability to adjust to a close-knit, hands-on work culture.
