Sr. Operations Manager

About the role

Itron is innovating new ways for utilities and cities to manage energy and water. We create a more resourceful world to protect essential resources for today and tomorrow. The Senior Operations Manager directs the development and implementation of activities in production areas to meet production goals, as well as cost and quality targets. This position requires a comprehensive understanding of design and production, program management skills, proven strategic planning and business execution capabilities, as well as the ability to work collaboratively across multiple disciplines. The position will be a key leadership role responsible for enabling production and revenue targets.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic plans and objectives in accordance with overall company strategy.
• Make final decisions on administrative or operational matters.
• Influence Customer and Senior Leadership Team via verbal or in-person presentations.
• Maintain budgets, productivity, efficiency, and quality.
• Manage capacity and resource planning, material planning, budgeting, and capital investment plans and projects.
• Ensure all products delivered meet customer requirements in terms of schedule and quality.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Research, evaluate, recommend, and implement investments in technology, equipment, or systems to enhance production capabilities, improve efficiency, and reduce conversion costs.
• Take full ownership of the responsible area to meet Safety, Quality, Cost, and Volume targets.
• Drive all plant metrics for the operational area, including KPIs in Quality, Safety, Cost, and Volume.
• Complete ownership of all safety within the department.
• Build and develop teams of direct reports and hourly personnel.
• Ensure scheduling of customer orders is level-loaded and properly planned with all necessary resources (material, personnel, etc.) prior to scheduling.
• Multitask across multiple projects and day-to-day operational requirements.
• Collaborate with support functions (quality, manufacturing engineering, scheduling, buying, R&D) to ensure operational targets are met.
• Create an operating rhythm and drive communication and recognition at all levels in the plant consistent with business strategy.
• Direct the resolution of highly complex or unusual business issues that may cross functional or department lines, often in innovative ways.
• Anticipate and communicate actionable business data to ensure continuous process improvements and waste reduction with measurable financial results.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field.
• 8+ years of proven direct, operational leadership experience, including significant experience managing hourly personnel.
• Experience implementing Lean/Six Sigma continuous improvement methodologies and principles.
• Experience with semi-automated or fully automated production lines.
• Planning, forecasting, and budgeting experience.
• Strong root cause analysis skillset with the ability to quickly develop action plans to address problems.
• Hands-on experience managing complex and inter-related manufacturing operations.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA.
• Experience working with a world-renowned operating system (e.g., DBS, HOS).
• 5S/6S, Lean certifications.

Travel: 1 - 10%.

Benefits

• Competitive financial, social, health, and wellbeing programs.
• Flexible vacation.
• 401k matching.
• Employee stock purchase program.
• Eligibility to participate in an annual bonus program.