What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operations Manager position at Behlen Mfg Co.?
Position Summary:
The Operations Manager at Hilton Behlen Energy Systems is a critical leadership role responsible for driving operational excellence across machining, fabrication, and complex equipment assembly. This role requires a strong mechanical engineering background combined with extensive hands-on expertise in custom machine design, engineering, and assembly. The position serves as the key bridge between engineering, production, and external manufacturing partners to ensure sophisticated machine builds are executed efficiently, on schedule, within cost targets, and to the highest quality standards.
Key Responsibilities:
Operations & Production Leadership:
Lead and direct all aspects of production planning and scheduling for complex, custom-built machinery. Develop and manage workflows to meet timelines while maintaining quality and cost standards. Drive continuous improvement across machining, fabrication, and assembly processes, focusing on cycle time reduction and throughput. Establish and enforce best practices, SOPs, and standardized assembly instructions.
Engineering Collaboration:
Work closely with engineering and design teams to ensure manufacturability and efficient transition from design to production. Act as an integral contributor to the print-to-machining process, ensuring clarity in setup, fixturing, and machining requirements. Provide feedback to improve designs for manufacturability, cost, and performance.
Machining, Fabrication & Assembly:
Oversee internal and external machining and fabrication processes. Ensure proper setup, fixturing, and execution of machining operations. Partner closely with vendors and internal teams to align on technical requirements and ensure efficient, repeatable assembly of complex systems.
Supply Chain & Partner Management:
Serve as the primary liaison to the partner supply chain base. Build and maintain strong relationships with machining and fabrication partners. Ensure alignment on delivery timelines, quality expectations, and cost targets.
Production Planning & ERP/MRP Systems:
Utilize ERP/MRP systems to manage scheduling, material requirements, and capacity planning. Lead planning processes for complex builds with multiple dependencies. Ensure alignment between engineering timelines, production schedules, and supply chain constraints.
Quality & Process Control:
Maintain and improve quality control systems for machined parts and assemblies. Ensure all components meet specifications and performance standards. Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for quality issues.
Cost Management & Operational Efficiency:
Develop deep understanding of standard costs including materials, labor, and overhead. Identify and implement cost reduction initiatives while maintaining quality. Improve productivity through process optimization and waste reduction.
Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence:
Lead initiatives focused on operational excellence and lean manufacturing. Improve build processes, reduce variability, and enhance overall system performance. Contribute insights into materials engineering and process improvements.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field required. 8 years of experience in manufacturing operations, particularly in machining, fabrication, and assembly. Strong experience in custom machine design and production environments. Proven experience in production planning, scheduling, and ERP/MRP systems.
Technical Skills:
Deep understanding of machining processes, fixturing, and fabrication methods. Strong knowledge of quality control systems and inspection processes. Experience with cost structures and optimization. Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles.
Leadership & Competencies:
Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills. Excellent communication abilities across engineering, operations, and external partners. Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking. Focus on operational excellence and continuous improvement.
Role Impact:
This role is a key driver of operational excellence and acts as the primary liaison between engineering, operations, and the external supply chain. The Operations Manager ensures machine builds are efficient, cost-effective, and meet the highest standards of quality without compromise.