Senior Manager, Manufacturing Operations

About the role

The Senior Manager, Manufacturing Operations is responsible for leading Production Operations, Production Control, Inventory Management, and Shipping & Receiving functions. This role oversees production planning, scheduling, material flow, inventory management, warehouse operations, and manufacturing execution to ensure customer demand is met while achieving safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity objectives. This leader will drive operational excellence through workforce development, process improvement, capacity planning, and data-driven decision making while building scalable systems that support future growth.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Production Operations, Production Control, Inventory Management, and Shipping & Receiving functions.
• Build, develop, and maintain high-performing teams through coaching, performance management, succession planning, and organizational development.
• Establish departmental goals, KPIs, and operating standards aligned with business objectives.
• Own production planning, scheduling, schedule attainment, and capacity management processes to ensure customer demand and operational priorities are achieved.
• Drive schedule attainment, on-time delivery, inventory performance, labor efficiency, throughput, and cost performance across operations.
• Ensure effective execution of production control, work order management, inventory management, warehouse operations, and material flow activities.
• Partner with Engineering, Procurement, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to ensure material readiness and manufacturing success.
• Monitor operational performance through KPIs, dashboards, and reporting tools, driving accountability and timely corrective actions.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, material flow, waste reduction, and operational excellence.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, customer focus, and continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with company policies and operational standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Operations, Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Organizational Leadership, Psychology, Human Resources, or a related field; equivalent leadership experience may be considered.
• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience within manufacturing, operations, logistics, military, supply chain, production, project management, or related operational environments.
• Demonstrated experience managing performance through KPIs, metrics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and driving organizational change.
• Lean Six Sigma, continuous improvement training and/or certifications (preferred).
• Manufacturing operations experience (preferred).
• Production control, inventory management, or logistics experience (preferred).
• PMP certification (preferred).

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop supervisors, managers, and cross-functional teams in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, production planning, inventory management, logistics, and material flow.
• Proven success improving operational performance through KPIs, data-driven decision making, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience utilizing ERP/MRP systems to support production scheduling, inventory control, and operational reporting.
• Strong business and financial acumen, including labor planning, inventory management, budgeting, and cost control.
• Experience developing operational reporting, KPI dashboards, and performance management processes.

Skills

• Driving Execution — Translates strategic priorities into operational action while ensuring accountability, measurable outcomes, and successful project delivery.
• Strategic Leadership — Develops long-term organizational capabilities, aligns resources to business priorities, and creates scalable operational processes.
• Operational Decision Making — Uses data, experience, and sound judgment to make timely business decisions that balance customer, financial, operational, and personnel considerations.
• Building High-Performing Teams — Attracts, develops, motivates, and retains talent while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous development.
• Customer Focus — Builds strong customer relationships and ensures operational execution consistently delivers value and satisfaction.
• Continuous Improvement — Champions process improvement, standardization, and operational excellence initiatives that improve quality, productivity, and profitability.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in office, manufacturing, and warehouse environments.
• Frequent interaction with production, supply chain, engineering, quality, project management, and operations teams.
• Regular presence on the manufacturing floor is required to support production execution, workforce engagement, and operational performance.
• Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• Ability to travel up to 10% as required to support business initiatives, training, or operational priorities.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay
• Annual Bonus
• Eligible for Annual Pay Increases
• Comprehensive Health, Vision, and Dental Coverage
• 15 days Paid Time Off + 11 Paid Holidays
• Two Ways to Save for Retirement: Badger Meter contributes 25 cents for every dollar you contribute to the plan, up to 7% of your eligible compensation. In addition to the match, the company will also contribute 5% of your eligible compensation to your Defined Contribution account on an annual basis.
• Additional access to a certified financial planner to help ensure your money is working for you, at no cost
• Employer Paid benefits including: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Basic Group Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, and more
• Educational Assistance – Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250
• Voluntary benefits including: Additional Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, Accident and Critical Illness coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA) & Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options