Operations Manager

About the role

This Operations Manager position oversees the daily operations of the Florida Manufacturing location (EOFL), analyzing financial statements and performance data to measure productivity, achieve goals, and identify areas for cost reduction and program improvement. The role requires proven experience building trust and alignment across Manufacturing, Sales, Supply Chain, and Quality functions. It involves collaboration with Sales and Business Lines on production opportunities, capacity planning, and supporting the VP of Operations with near and long-term strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for all operational areas, including:
  • Staffing and management
  • Employee development, training, and conflict resolution
  • Inventory levels, turnaround time, and On-Time Delivery
  • Department budgets
  • Equipment and supply purchases
  • Product quality
• Support the VP of Operations with long-range capacity planning, forecasts, annual plans, and evaluating progress on KPIs.
• Establish and implement factory policies, goals (KPIs), objectives, and procedures.
• Collaborate with other factories on scheduling prioritization, best practices, and cross-site processes.
• Develop leadership and managerial skills of supervisors through coaching and structured development.
• Work with Sales and Business Lines to identify customer requirements and capability enhancements.
• Lead engagements with key customers on high-level quality-related topics.
• Accountable for the Continuous Improvement (CI) program and 6S program within the factory.
• Analyze data and trends using statistical analysis tools.
• Work with Supply Chain to qualify and audit new suppliers.
• Interface with department heads throughout the organization.
• Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Optics, Engineering, or a technical discipline (or equivalent experience).
• 10+ years of technical experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment, with preference for optical coatings or fabrication experience.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification required within 18 months of employment.

Skills

• Effective leadership skills with a proven ability to build trust and alignment across departments in a matrixed manufacturing environment.
• Excellent communication, organization, and interpersonal skills, including comfort operating at all levels (shop floor, executive planning, and customer-facing settings).
• Demonstrated experience translating operational and financial data into strategic recommendations.
• Change-management experience introducing new processes or systems.
• Knowledge of Military Specifications is desired.
• Working knowledge of Six Sigma, Lean Principles, and other statistical analysis tools.
• Experience with ISO-9001 certification in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in problem-solving and quality improvement processes (e.g., 8D, A3, DMAIC).
• Knowledge of testing and inspection methods/equipment desired.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office applications and experience with statistical software (e.g., Minitab, JMP).
• Experience with ERP/MES systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Epicor) preferred.
• Comfort using data-visualization/reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).
• Demonstrated commitment to safety culture and regulatory compliance (OSHA).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to operate office equipment such as a copier.
• Ability to see details at a close range.
• Ability to sit at a desk or PC for long periods of time.
• Ability to travel.

Other Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency is required due to access to export-controlled technical data (ITAR/EAR).

Pay

Salary Range: $120,000 - $140,000 per year.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life, AD&D, Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match up to 3%
• Daycare and Gym Reimbursement
• Paid Parental Leave and New Mother Benefits
• Training and Development Opportunities