Dental Lab Operations Manager at Keystone Dental Partners – Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Dental Lab Operations Manager will play a key leadership role in advancing and expanding our in-house dental laboratory operations. This role combines hands-on technical expertise with leadership responsibility, overseeing daily lab operations while coaching and developing a growing team.

This individual will partner closely with executive leadership and clinical teams to drive process improvement, operational excellence, and strategic growth. The ideal candidate is a player-coach who thrives in building high-performing teams, increasing case volume, and scaling lab capabilities to support both internal practices and external opportunities.

• Lead, coach, and develop lab team members, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Oversee daily lab operations, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and high-quality outcomes.
• Identify and implement process improvements to optimize workflows, turnaround times, and production capacity.
• Develop and execute a lab growth strategy, including increasing case volume and expanding services.
• Partner with leadership on financial planning, including budgeting, forecasting, and evaluating ROI on equipment, staffing, and expansion initiatives.
• Drive internal and external marketing efforts to grow lab utilization and build new business opportunities.
• Collaborate with dentists and specialists on case planning, crown and bridge design, implant restorations, and digital workflows.
• Evaluate, recommend, and implement new technologies and equipment to support innovation and scalability.
• Plan for and support team expansion, including hiring, onboarding, and performance management.
• Establish and track KPIs and quality standards to ensure consistent performance and accountability.
• Manage vendor relationships, inventory, and supply chain to ensure cost-effective operations.
• Ensure strong communication between the lab and supported practices to improve case outcomes and service levels.

• Previous experience as a Dental Lab Manager, Lead Dental Technician, or similar leadership role.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop a team in a lab or production environment.
• Strong knowledge of dental lab technologies, workflows, and materials (CAD/CAM, zirconia, implants, removable prosthetics).
• Experience driving process improvements and operational efficiency.
• Demonstrated ability or interest in supporting growth initiatives and scaling operations.
• Financial acumen with exposure to budgeting, forecasting, or ROI analysis preferred.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to balance hands-on production work with leadership responsibilities.
• CDT (Certified Dental Technician) designation preferred, but not required.