Operations Manager

About the Role

Are you a strategic manufacturing leader with a background in high-precision, highly regulated environments? Orion Castings is seeking a high-caliber Operations Manager to lead our JEl finishing plant in Chelmsford, MA. As an AS9100 and NADCAP certified facility, we specialize in high-spec surface preparation and finishing for the military, aerospace, and medical device sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and direct the JEl plant management staff to achieve business alignment, monthly budgetary/profitability targets, and divisional quality plans.
• Enforce and promote synchronous manufacturing to optimize throughput and quality on our painting and finishing lines.
• Drive ongoing lean initiatives, Gemba walks, and corporate compliance.
• Enforce strict conformance to all applicable procedures, work instructions, and industry-specific regulations.
• Drive and direct the completion of action item lists for plant corporate and third-party quality audits, including AS9100 and NADCAP.
• Lead structured APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) activities and scheduled corrective-action meetings to maintain a zero-defect environment, ensuring task assignments are completed on time.
• Act as the primary operational interface for high-profile military, aerospace, and medical customers.
• Maintain a strict focus on achieving 100% on-time delivery and implement immediate, documented countermeasures if targets are missed.
• Spend active, daily time circulating on the shop floor to foster open communication, mentor supervisors, support the plant quality mission, and build a high-performance, inclusive team spirit.

Key Position Competencies & Requirements

• Required Experience & Technical Knowledge:
• Minimum of 10 years of experience within the manufacturing industry.
• Direct experience operating within and maintaining AS9100 and NADCAP certified environments is highly preferred.
• Knowledge of industrial paint, coating, or finishing processes is a strong plus (e.g., surface prep, liquid coatings, powder coating, or specialized military/medical finishes).
• Required Technical Software:
• Highly proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Minitab statistical analysis software.
• Management Qualities & Interaction with Others:
• Leadership & Influence: Ability to build instant credibility, lead with authority, and challenge the status quo to shift traditional mindsets toward modern, lean manufacturing practices.
• Coaching & Mentoring: Passion for developing talent, facilitating groups, and managing staff performance.
• Collaboration & Relationship Building: A natural team player who can build trust and communicate seamlessly with everyone from front-line production associates to senior corporate executives.
• Political & Organizational Savvy: Skillful at navigating organizational dynamics, advocating for plant needs, and presenting complex operational information clearly.
• Cognition & Personal Effectiveness:
• Analysis & Problem Solving: Exceptional reasoning, creative thinking, and decision-making judgment to handle complex operational bottlenecks.
• Fiscal Accountability: Strong financial acumen with direct accountability for monthly plant financial targets and cost-containment.
• Core Professional Attributes:
• High accountability, stress tolerance, adaptability, results-focus, and an uncompromised commitment to ethics, integrity, and safety compliance.

Compensation & Schedule

Salary: $92,200 – $120,300
Schedule: First Shift

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and more!
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 11 Paid Company Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid company training
• Career advancement opportunities