Operations Manager in Waterbury, Connecticut at MICROBEST INC

The Operations Manager is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and performance of Microbest's three-shift precision manufacturing operation. Reporting directly to the CEO, this position provides hands-on leadership for production and maintenance operations, ensuring that safety, quality, productivity, equipment reliability, and customer delivery objectives are consistently achieved.

This is not a desk-based management position. The Operations Manager is expected to be a visible leader who spends the majority of each workday on the manufacturing floor, working alongside supervisors and employees to solve problems, remove obstacles, improve communication, and ensure production goals are met.

The Operations Manager leads Production Supervisors, Department Leads, EH&S Coordinator and the Maintenance Department while partnering closely with Engineering, Quality, Planning, Human Resources, and to drive operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Manufacturing Operations

• Lead and oversee daily manufacturing operations across a three-shift production facility.

• Ensure production schedules, quality standards, and customer delivery requirements are consistently achieved.

• Monitor daily production performance and address operational issues in a timely manner.

• Identify production bottlenecks and implement practical solutions to improve workflow and efficiency.

• Monitor key operational metrics including labor utilization, productivity, scrap, downtime, and on-time delivery.

• Lead daily production meetings and communicate operational priorities with supervisors and department leaders.

• Ensure adequate staffing and resources are available to support production requirements across all shifts.

• Maintain strong communication between shifts to ensure operational continuity.

Leadership

• Provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and accountability for Production Supervisors, Department leads, and the Maintenance Team.

• Oversee daily production activities across multiple manufacturing departments.

• Monitor production schedules and ensure customer delivery requirements are achieved.

• Work closely with production supervisors to address staffing, equipment, and workflow issues.

• Assist supervisors in prioritizing work and resolving production challenges.

• Monitor labor utilization, efficiency, scrap, and downtime.

• Help identify production bottlenecks and implement practical solutions.

• Promote accountability, teamwork, and effective communication throughout the operation.

• Assist with employee development and training initiatives.

• Participate in performance improvement discussions with supervisors as needed.

Maintenance Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight of the Maintenance Department.

• Ensure preventive and predictive maintenance programs support production requirements.

• Work closely with the Maintenance Department to minimize equipment downtime and improve machine reliability.

• Prioritize maintenance activities based on production demands.

• Support planning and execution of equipment upgrades, repairs, and capital improvement projects.

• Promote proactive maintenance practices that maximize equipment performance and availability.

Continuous Improvement

• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Recommend process improvements that improve efficiency, reduce waste, and increase productivity.

• Participate in root cause analysis and corrective action activities.

• Encourage employees to identify opportunities for operational improvements.

Cross-Functional Support

• Work closely with Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Planning, and Human Resources to resolve production issues.

• Assist in coordinating machine downtime with Maintenance.

• Support Engineering during new product launches and process improvements.

• Help ensure production changes are communicated effectively across departments.

Quality and Safety

• Ensure compliance with company quality standards, operating procedures, and customer requirements.

• Promote a culture of safety by supporting company safety initiatives and ensuring supervisors consistently enforce safe work practices.

• Partner with the Environmental Health & Safety Coordinator to maintain OSHA compliance and continually improve workplace safety.

• Ensure housekeeping and workplace organization standards are maintained throughout the facility.

Reporting and Operational Performance

• Provide regular operational updates to the CEO.

• Monitor manufacturing performance metrics and recommend actions to improve results.

• Prepare reports related to production performance, labor utilization, equipment performance, and operational efficiency.

• Recommend operational improvements that support the company's strategic goals.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position provides leadership and direction to Production Supervisors, Department Leads and the Maintenance Department with:

• Employee coaching

• Performance feedback

• Scheduling coordination

• Training support

• Problem resolution

• Daily operational direction

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Business, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent manufacturing leadership experience will be considered.

Experience

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience

• Demonstrated experience leading production in a multi-shift manufacturing environment.

• Experience supervising production leaders and maintenance personnel.

• Experience in CNC machining, precision manufacturing, aerospace, firearms, defense, or other high-volume precision manufacturing environments strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated success improving productivity, efficiency, quality, and employee performance.

• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing or continuous improvement initiatives preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to motivate and develop employees.

• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.

• Strong communication skills.

• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.

• Strong understanding of production scheduling, manufacturing processes, equipment utilization, and workflow optimization.

• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to regularly walk throughout the manufacturing facility.

• Ability to stand and move throughout the facility for extended periods.

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.

• Ability to safely work around manufacturing equipment.

• Ability to support operations across all three shifts as business needs require.

Work Environment

This position operates in a fast-paced precision manufacturing facility that runs three shifts. The Operations Manager is expected to spend the majority of each workday on the manufacturing floor working directly with supervisors, maintenance personnel, and employees to ensure safe, efficient, and productive operations.

Performance Expectations

Success in this role will be measured by the ability to:

• Achieve production and customer delivery goals.

• Improve productivity and labor efficiency.

• Reduce scrap, rework, and equipment downtime.

• Improve equipment reliability through effective maintenance leadership.

• Develop supervisors and strengthen leadership throughout the organization.

• Foster accountability, teamwork, and employee engagement.

• Maintain a safe, organized, and efficient manufacturing environment.

• Drive measurable continuous improvement throughout the operation.

• Build a culture focused on operational excellence, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Compensation

• Salary: $140,000 – $160,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

• Annual Performance Bonus: Eligible for a target bonus of up to 20% based on individual and company performance.