Operations Manager in Irvine, California at ADDMAN Engineering LLC

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Operations Manager is the senior on-site operational leader for ADDMAN’s Irvine, California polymer additive manufacturing facility. This leader is accountable for the execution and financial performance of an approximately $20 million annual business, overseeing a fleet of more than 40 industrial polymer 3D printers with differing technologies and capabilities. The role leads end-to-end manufacturing operations—from build planning and printing through post-processing, inspection and shipment—while strengthening safety, quality, delivery, profitability and customer confidence. Working closely with commercial, engineering, program management and corporate leadership, this leader translates demand into profitable capacity, develops talent, and scales a disciplined, high-performing operation

This position is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) which requires U.S. person status.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Own site operating performance and P&L results, including annual operating plan, budgets, forecasts, labor productivity, material and consumable costs, scrap/rework, margins and capital expenditure recommendations.
• Lead safe, compliant daily operations across polymer printing, material handling, post-processing, finishing, inspection, maintenance and shipping; reinforce a proactive environmental, health and safety culture.
• Direct scheduling and capacity allocation across 40+ polymer printers with varied capabilities; balance equipment availability, technology/material suitability, labor, lead times and customer priorities.
• Establish and review operating KPIs including revenue attainment, gross margin, on-time delivery, first-pass yield, scrap, machine utilization, throughput, backlog, labor efficiency and safety performance.
• Lead and develop production, technical and quality leaders; set performance expectations, staffing plans, cross-training, succession plans and accountability mechanisms across shifts.
• Partner with sales, quoting, engineering and program management to evaluate manufacturability, realistic lead times, cost assumptions, program risk and profitable customer commitments.
• Ensure robust process control, traceability, documentation, inspection and corrective-action practices appropriate to customer and aerospace/defense requirements; support applicable QMS and AS9100 audit readiness.
• Build preventive maintenance, equipment reliability and contingency plans with OEMs and internal resources; prioritize uptime, yield, material control and asset lifecycle management.
• Lead continuous improvement using lean manufacturing, root-cause analysis, standard work, visual management and data-driven problem solving to improve flow, quality and operating margin.
• Own site inventory discipline for polymer powders, resins and other consumables as applicable, including handling, storage, replenishment, reuse controls and waste reduction.
• Sponsor effective use and integration of ERP, MES and QMS systems to improve planning accuracy, shop-floor visibility, inventory integrity, traceability and financial reporting.
• Develop capital and expansion business cases for printer capacity, automation, post-processing and facility improvements, with return-on-investment and implementation plans.
• Coordinate internal and external suppliers and partner sites to maintain production continuity and customer delivery commitments; communicate performance, risks and recovery plans to executive leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned; maintain regular attendance and follow company policies and procedures.

SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Commitment to a safety culture where safety is the first consideration before starting any task.
• Strong business acumen and demonstrated ability to translate manufacturing performance into P&L outcomes, forecasts, cost actions and investment decisions.
• Ability to lead managers and cross-functional teams in a high-mix, technology-intensive manufacturing environment with competing customer priorities.
• Working knowledge of polymer additive manufacturing production economics, machine utilization, build preparation, post-processing, material management and process capability.
• Data-driven operational leadership; proficiency with ERP/MES/QMS systems, KPI dashboards, advanced Excel and executive-level business presentations.
• Clear written and verbal communication, sound judgment, customer orientation and an uncompromising commitment to safety and quality

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing, operations, business or related field required; equivalent combination of substantial directly relevant leadership experience may be considered. MBA or advanced technical degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing/operations experience, including 5+ years leading multi-functional teams and managers in a complex industrial production environment.
• Demonstrated ownership of a manufacturing P&L, operating budget or comparable financial results at approximately $15–25 million annual scale or greater; ability to explain margin, cost and cash impacts of operating decisions.
• Experience managing a sizable, multi-asset production environment with complex capacity planning, equipment reliability, scheduling and customer delivery requirements.
• Direct industrial polymer additive manufacturing leadership strongly preferred; experience with multiple polymer printing technologies, materials and downstream finishing processes highly desirable.
• Proven track record improving operational KPIs such as on-time delivery, throughput, yield, utilization, productivity, quality and profitability.
• Experience supporting regulated or high-reliability manufacturing, preferably aerospace and defense, including disciplined quality systems, traceability and audit preparation; AS9100 familiarity preferred.
• Experience with capital planning, ROI analysis, lean/continuous improvement and ERP/MES/QMS implementation or optimization.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This role is in an automated manufacturing environment at our Irvine, CA location.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to accomplish the physical requirements of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

SAFETY AND POLICY PRACTICES:

Each employee must be knowledgeable of standard safety policies and procedures and adhere to the same while supporting the goals and objectives of the organization and recognizing the Company’s need to achieve its business objectives. Each employee is responsible for complying with company hazardous waste disposal procedures.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION:

ADDMAN Engineering is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Women, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. All terms and conditions of employment will be administered without regard to an individual’s sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

NOTE: This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change from time to time, and the employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. ADDMAN Engineering reserves the right to add, delete or modify these duties and responsibilities at its discretion. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Employment is at-will, and nothing in this job description is intended to create or imply a contractual relationship or alter the at-will status of the employee.