Senior Manager, Optical Laboratory Manufacturing

Core Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a team of 110+ full-time employees and 5 direct reports.
• Create developmental opportunities and foster collaborative, cross-functional relationships.
• Hire, train, and develop talent; conduct succession planning and performance management.
• Motivate teams to meet business objectives and resolve escalated issues.
• Foster open dialogue and promote collaboration within and across teams.
• Translate business plans into tactical action items and oversee completion of work assignments.
• Identify and implement improvements to increase productivity and efficiency.
• Align team efforts and build accountability for achieving operational results.
• Ensure all policies, procedures, and company principles are followed.
• Lead in a Labor Management Partnership environment.
• Define and maintain standards for quality eyewear production and timely delivery.
• Investigate and resolve member complaints, production issues, and service inquiries.
• Develop measurement tools to capture and monitor quality, turnaround time, and member satisfaction.
• Enforce optical quality standards and promote consistency in workmanship across all lab areas.
• Champion member satisfaction and drive continuous service improvement.
• Direct operations to ensure compliance with federal laws, regulatory requirements, and safety policies.
• Develop and implement comprehensive safety programs and inspection procedures.
• Maintain a safe work environment and address identified risks and hazards.
• Ensure staff understanding of approved policies, lab management systems, and compliance requirements.
• Drive strategic financial planning and budget management for the optical laboratory.
• Design and execute comprehensive budgeting strategies.
• Identify and recommend opportunities to minimize expenses while maintaining service quality.
• Promote financial stewardship and establish a cost-conscious culture.
• Develop strategic vision and direction for asset and inventory management.
• Establish comprehensive policies and procedures for optimal accountability and industry standards adherence.
• Lead strategies for developing, monitoring, and maintaining all optical lab equipment.
• Create business cases for equipment procurement and analyze laboratory needs for updated equipment.
• Optimize inventory control, purchasing, receiving, storing, and distribution processes.
• Design and present ongoing training programs on work methods for all staff roles.
• Maintain advanced, contemporary knowledge of optical manufacturing techniques.
• Ensure staff understand approved policies, lab management systems, and OSHA requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Bachelor's degree in Business Management, Business Administration, or STEM field; OR minimum 11 years in an optical lab environment or directly related field. Minimum 8 years of experience in an optical lab environment or directly related manufacturing field. Minimum 7 years in a leadership role with direct reports. Minimum 5 years in optical manufacturing, computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), eyewear fabrication, or directly related manufacturing. Minimum 1 year managing operational or project budgets.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Business acumen and financial acumen. Budget planning, financial analysis, and accounting practices. Human resources practices, recruitment, and labor management. Operational compliance and safety regulations (OSHA, FDA, HIPAA). Optical knowledge and optometric knowledge. Optical equipment operation and eyewear manufacturing processes. Inventory control and supply chain management. Computer literacy with advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency. Instrumentation and laboratory equipment operation. Applied data analysis and reporting. Written and interpersonal communication skills. Time management and project management. Innovative mindset and problem-solving ability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Optician Certification from the American Board of Opticianry.
• Six Sigma Green Belt Certification.
• Prior experience in a union environment.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $150,000–$177,000 annually. Bonus: Up to 15% annual performance bonus.