Operations Manager

Operations Manager

Client Location: Wenatchee, Washington

Direct-Hire | Full-Time

$120,000 - $140,000 Base Salary Annual Bonus

Relocation Assistance | Excellent Benefits | 401(k) Match

We are seeking a hands-on, people-focused Operations Manager to lead a heavy industrial manufacturing facility in Wenatchee, WA. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Operations, this role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of plant operations, including safety, environmental compliance, production, quality, employee development, and continuous improvement.

This is a highly visible leadership position that requires someone who enjoys being on the production floor, building relationships with employees, coaching supervisors, and driving accountability throughout the organization. The ideal candidate is a strong operational leader who can balance strategic decision-making with a hands-on management style while fostering a culture centered around safety, employee engagement, and operational excellence.

Direct managerial experience leading union-represented employees in a manufacturing or heavy industrial environment is an absolute requirement. Candidates who have only worked in a union facility but have not directly managed a union workforce will not be considered.

Qualifications:

• 7 years of leadership experience within a manufacturing or heavy industrial environment.
• Direct management experience within a unionized manufacturing or heavy industrial operation is required.
• Demonstrated experience leading union-represented frontline employees and supervisors.
• Working knowledge of collective bargaining agreements, union work rules, grievance procedures, progressive discipline, seniority provisions, job classifications, scheduling, overtime, and related labor-relations matters.
• Experience partnering with Human Resources and union representatives to resolve employee-relations issues fairly, consistently, and in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.
• Previous experience leading a department, business unit, or plant operation with responsibility for supervisors and frontline employees.
• Experience within metals, steel, foundry, melt shop, mining, or other heavy industrial manufacturing environments is highly preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of OSHA regulations, environmental compliance, and manufacturing safety programs.
• Demonstrated success leading continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Strong leadership, coaching, communication, and employee development skills.
• Proven ability to manage production performance through KPIs, labor utilization, quality, and operational metrics.
• Comfortable working flexible hours as needed to support multiple shifts.

Essential Duties:

• Plant Leadership
• Provide day-to-day leadership for all plant operations, ensuring safe, efficient, and productive manufacturing performance.
• Maintain a visible presence on the production floor, actively engaging with employees, supervisors, and support teams.
• Establish clear operational priorities while ensuring production schedules, quality standards, and customer commitments are achieved.
• Partner closely with the Vice President of Operations to execute operational strategies and long-term business objectives.
• Union and Employee Relations
• Lead union-represented employees and supervisors in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement, company policies, and applicable labor laws.
• Interpret and consistently administer union work rules, seniority provisions, scheduling requirements, overtime procedures, job classifications, and other contractual requirements.
• Build productive, professional relationships with union stewards and representatives.
• Partner with Human Resources to address grievances, investigations, attendance issues, employee complaints, disciplinary actions, and other labor-relations matters.
• Ensure coaching, corrective action, and discipline are fair, consistent, well documented, and contractually compliant.
• Resolve workplace concerns promptly while maintaining operational accountability and a respectful working environment.
• Support labor-management meetings and other employee-relations activities as required.
• People Leadership & Accountability
• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors through regular performance feedback, mentoring, and accountability.
• Foster a positive, respectful work environment built on trust, ownership, and employee engagement.
• Address employee performance concerns promptly while partnering with Human Resources to ensure fair, consistent, and well-documented corrective actions.
• Build leadership capability within the organization by developing future leaders and strengthening supervisory effectiveness.
• Safety & Environmental Compliance
• Champion a proactive safety culture by ensuring compliance with OSHA, EPA, and company safety standards.
• Partner with Safety and Environmental teams to maintain regulatory compliance and continuously improve plant safety performance.
• Ensure equipment, facilities, and manufacturing processes meet all applicable safety and environmental requirements.
• Operational Excellence
• Monitor production performance, labor utilization, equipment effectiveness, quality, and manufacturing costs to achieve operational objectives.
• Develop, monitor, and communicate key performance indicators (KPIs) while driving continuous improvement throughout the operation.
• Identify production challenges, implement corrective actions, and collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality to improve efficiency and reliability.
• Support capital projects, equipment upgrades, and manufacturing improvements that enhance long-term operational performance.
• Continuous Improvement
• Lead Lean Manufacturing initiatives that improve productivity, reduce waste, and strengthen operational performance.
• Encourage employee involvement in process improvement and problem-solving activities.
• Drive sustainable improvements through standardization, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base Salary: $120,000 - $140,000, depending on experience
• Annual discretionary bonus opportunity
• Relocation assistance available, including temporary housing and relocation reimbursement
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with HSA-eligible medical plans and employer HSA contributions
• Company-paid life insurance, AD&D, short-term disability, long-term disability, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Optional life insurance, AD&D, critical illness, and accident coverage
• 401(k) with generous company match: dollar-for-dollar on the first 3% of employee contributions, plus a 50% match on the next 2%, with potential discretionary employer contributions
• Fitness reimbursement of up to $600 annually
• Monday-Friday schedule with flexibility to support all plant shifts as needed

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Equivalent manufacturing leadership experience will also be considered in lieu of a degree.