Operations Manager
The Operations Manager will be decisive and metrics-driven and will lead manufacturing and assembly operations at our St. Louis facility. Reporting to Site Leadership, you will provide direct oversight of 50+ machinists and operators, own daily schedule execution, and build the systems, dashboards, and culture needed to sustain high-volume production excellence. This is a hands-on leadership role with equal time spent on the floor as in the data.
Responsibilities:
Leadership & Culture
Champion a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across all operations functions
Provide strong operational leadership to a team of machinists, assembly operators, and shift supervisors across a 24/7 production environment
Conduct ongoing performance management, coaching, and development planning to grow team capability
Lead hiring efforts for production labor — sourcing, interviewing, and onboarding machinists and operators
Production & Schedule Execution
Ensure strict adherence to production schedules across machining, manufacturing, and assembly operations
Establish clear systems, processes, and communication routines that drive consistent execution and disciplined adherence to commitments
Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Site Leadership to align priorities and support production needs
Ensure documentation, work processes, and production systems are accurate, current, and consistently followed
Metrics, Analytics & Continuous Improvement
Build and own KPI dashboards and performance metrics that give leadership real-time visibility into throughput, quality, efficiency, and safety
Use data and performance analytics to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities — escalating and addressing issues proactively
Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance reliability, reduce downtime, and improve OEE performance
Work with Engineering and Maintenance to improve process reliability and reduce unplanned disruptions
Compliance & Standards
Ensure compliance with site policies, regulatory requirements, and safety standards at all times
Maintain ERP/MES system accuracy and support process adherence across all production shifts
Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in management, engineering, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent experience considered
7+ years of manufacturing experience, preferably in a fast-paced, high-volume machine shop production environment
Demonstrated management or supervisory experience leading production teams of 50 or more
Hands-on background in machining, manufacturing, and assembly operations
Proven ability to build and manage KPI dashboards and operational metrics programs
Strong experience with plant maintenance and production software; ERP/MES preferred
Lean Six Sigma certification or equivalent continuous improvement experience highly desired
Ability to work flexible shifts and weekends as business needs dictate