Manufacturing Operator Manager

Manufacturing Operations Manager

Location: Portage, Wisconsin Facility

Department: Operations

Reports To: Vice President of Operations

Position Level: Manager

Position Overview

We are seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead the daily operations of a growing manufacturing and distribution facility. This individual will oversee production, warehousing, inventory management, and shipping and receiving while ensuring safe, accurate, and efficient operations.

The ideal candidate is a visible, people-focused leader who can establish priorities, improve workflows, develop employees, and create accountability across the operation. This role will partner closely with Supply Chain, Customer Service, Sales, Human Resources, and other corporate teams to improve productivity, inventory accuracy, quality, and customer service.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Leadership

• Lead all day-to-day manufacturing and warehouse operations.
• Ensure products are manufactured, assembled, stored, and shipped safely, efficiently, and accurately.
• Establish daily production and warehouse priorities based on customer demand.
• Monitor workflows and adjust staffing, schedules, and resources to maximize productivity.
• Coordinate across departments to ensure customer and operational requirements are met.

Warehouse and Inventory Management

• Maintain inventory accuracy through cycle counts and established inventory controls.
• Oversee receiving, storage, material movement, order picking, shipping, and transportation activities.
• Investigate inventory discrepancies and implement corrective actions.
• Improve warehouse organization, material flow, space utilization, and product accessibility.
• Support accurate and timely inbound and outbound logistics.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop hourly production and warehouse employees.
• Create a culture of employee engagement, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct performance reviews and provide regular feedback and coaching.
• Manage staffing levels, scheduling, attendance, and workforce allocation.
• Partner with Human Resources on recruiting, onboarding, training, performance management, and employee relations.

Safety and Quality

• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with OSHA requirements and company standards.
• Conduct regular safety observations and address identified concerns.
• Ensure products and processes consistently meet established quality standards.
• Lead investigations and corrective actions related to safety incidents, product quality, and operational performance.
• Reinforce safe work practices through training, communication, and visible leadership.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to increase efficiency, reduce waste, improve quality, and strengthen customer service.
• Implement Lean manufacturing, warehouse, and continuous-improvement practices.
• Develop, document, and maintain standard operating procedures.
• Use KPIs and operational data to measure performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Lead practical, sustainable process improvements across production and warehouse operations.

Financial and Administrative Responsibilities

• Manage labor productivity, scheduling, and overtime.
• Monitor operating expenses and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Maintain accurate operational reports, metrics, and performance documentation.
• Partner with Supply Chain, Sales, Customer Service, and corporate leadership to support business objectives.

Required Qualifications

• At least five years of leadership experience within manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, or operations.
• Experience directly leading hourly production or warehouse employees.
• Strong inventory-management experience.
• Working knowledge of warehouse operations, shipping, and receiving.
• Experience using ERP or warehouse management systems.
• Strong communication, coaching, and leadership skills.
• Ability to identify operational problems and implement practical solutions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Ability to work on-site and maintain a visible presence throughout the facility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Operations, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field.
• Lean manufacturing or continuous-improvement experience.
• OSHA knowledge or previous safety-leadership responsibility.
• Experience within building materials, manufacturing, or industrial distribution.

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