Operations Manager - Industrial Controls

About the role

The Industrial Controls Operations Manager oversees the Industrial Controls Group's project portfolio, ensuring that design teams, UL508A panel fabrication shop, and field integration crews deliver high-quality control systems safely, on time, and within budget.

Responsibilities

• Manage, supervise, and develop department personnel across design and manufacturing teams; build a productive, accountable work environment.

• Provide mentorship, structured coaching, and career-path development; maintain a documented succession plan for every key seat in the group.

• Hire departmental staff in partnership with the HR Talent Acquisition group; own time-to-fill and quality-of-hire for the group.

• Delegate responsibilities with clear ownership and follow up to successful completion.

• Ensure all projects are delivered on budget and on schedule; own monthly project reviews, earned-value tracking, and margin forecasting for the group's portfolio.

• Track and publish performance metrics for the design team and manufacturing team; drive labor utilization and panel shop throughput targets.

• Own resource planning: maintain a rolling 12-month staffing and shop-capacity plan aligned to backlog and pipeline.

• Enforce disciplined change management — all scope changes priced, approved, and documented before work is performed.

• Interface with internal and external clients to resolve issues; serve as the executive escalation point and own client-relationship health for the group.

• Support proposal development, estimating reviews, and go/no-go decisions with operational and capacity input.

• Partner with business development to convert delivery excellence into repeat work and negotiated backlog.

• Ensure all panel fabrication complies with UL508A standards and applicable codes (NFPA 70, NFPA 79); maintain command of electrical drawings, control schematics, and engineering specifications.

• Own FAT/SAT quality gates: zero panels ship without documented, passing factory acceptance testing.

• Model and enforce Felix safety guidelines; ensure corrective actions are assigned, tracked, and closed within 48 hours; drive documented weekly safety observations and toolbox talks.

• Maintain and advance the group's technology standards — PLC/HMI/SCADA platforms, panel design libraries, and documentation templates — to reduce engineering cycle time and rework.

• Drive continuous improvement in job processes, shop workflow, and cost; standardize what works and eliminate what doesn't.

Requirements

• 4-year degree in engineering, project management, or construction management — or equivalent work experience.

• 5+ years of management experience in industrial electrical controls, automation, UL508A panel shop, or manufacturing environment.

• Working knowledge of electrical drawings, control schematics, engineering specifications, and the UL508A fabrication process.

• Demonstrated P&L or budget accountability with a track record of on-time, on-budget delivery.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, Project, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint.

• Strong oral and written communication skills; proven ability to lead teams and work collaboratively to meet shared objectives.

• Initiative, attention to detail, positive attitude, and the ability to work autonomously.

Qualifications

• Legal right to work in the U.S. without sponsorship indefinitely; valid driver's license with a good driving record; pre-employment drug screen.