Operations Manager

SUMMARY

The Operations Manager at Buck Knives will be responsible for developing the team to build High Quality Knife products. They will be responsible for developing strategies, goals and objectives that align with corporate goals. They will be responsible for successfully managing the manufacturing operations. 

In this role, the person will be responsible for overseeing all day-to-day responsibilities within the Buck Knives production group. This includes ownership of daily production results, executing the daily production plans, maintaining, and tracking KPI’s and evaluating staffing needs. This position will oversee and coordinate the Scheduling, Fab, CNC and Assembly department as well as inventory and production control. Additional responsibilities will include supporting and integrating process improvements and LEAN initiatives, managing the professional development of direct reports to improve their performance, productivity and efficiency. Managing the production team to ensure the highest Safety, Quality, Schedule performance and Productivity possible to achieve Company performance goals and initiatives.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• The Operations Manager will lead manufacturing operations with a strong focus on safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence by setting clear goals, tracking performance, and holding teams accountable for commitments and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support and implement continuous improvement factory wide to help reduce cost and improve efficiency.
• Identify operational inefficiencies and lead improvement initiatives from planning through execution, measurement, and sustained results.
• Work with the Quality Assurance team to do root cause analysis and modify processes as needed to improve consistency of quality output.
• Own the development, communication, and review of daily and monthly KPIs; ensure leaders understand expectations and are accountable for performance against targets.
• Use KPI performance to drive continuous improvement initiatives that reduce conversion costs, increase units per labor hour, and reduce plant lead time by 5–10% annually.
• Develop and lead the Production leadership team through clear expectations, coaching, performance feedback, and accountability to drive engagement and results.
• Experience in Sales and Operation Planning with the ability to adjust production planning to meet shifting demands in the marketplace.
• Establish & meet the production schedule to satisfy customer demands in the factory for 1 million knives a year, with 125 top level SKUs.
• Able to cross train and flex the staffing to meet shifting demand.
• Help develop and maintain Standard Work Instructions in the factory.
• Work closely with the New Products team to manage the integration of new products and manufacturing processes for 6 - 12 product families a year.
• Understanding financial reports such as Profit and Loss and income statements.
• Ability to calculate product cost and cost of goods sold.
• Manage WIP Inventories and continuously improve. 
• Consults with engineering and maintenance relative to modification of machines and equipment to improve production and quality of products.
• Maintain effective communication with other departments.
• Support and lead a culture of safety and focus on improving safety metrics plant wide.
• Comply with all standard safety practices, safety rules, and all Company rules and policies.
• Regular attendance is an essential function of this position.
• All other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Communicates department objectives by setting clear priorities, expectations, and performance standards for CNC, Fabrication, Assembly, and Production/Inventory Control leaders.
• Lead a team of 5-6 direct reports with a total of 200 employees reporting through their org chart.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong Leadership skills and experience managing multiple departments. 
• Understanding and ability to use an MRP and ERP system.
• Excellent communications skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to determine work priorities and delegate work to others.
• Understanding and application of lean principles and methodology in a manufacturing environment with a fully integrated MRP computer system
• Ability to read and interpret work from sketches, specifications, blueprints and job orders to others through BOMs (Build of Materials).
• Ability to communicate at all levels within the organization. 
• Demonstrated ability to lead change, address performance issues, and resolve conflict in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Must be proficient with computers and Microsoft programs with strong emphasis on Excel.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business, Operations, Industrial or Manufacturing Management or related field, or equivalent combination of experience and education. 
• 7 to 10 years’ experience within a manufacturing environment. 
• Have at least 5 years of hands-on supervisory experience within a manufacturing environment. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to manage or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to forty pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.