Job Description

Position Title: Operations Manager

Location: Addison, IL

Reports To: Vice President of Operations

About the Role

The Operations Manager will lead all aspects of manufacturing operations for a growing electrical distribution equipment manufacturer. This role oversees fabrication, assembly, and testing functions to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production of custom-engineered electrical power solutions. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with strong technical expertise, operational excellence experience, and the ability to drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced, engineer-to-order (ETO) environment.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Management

• Oversee daily fabrication, assembly, and testing operations to meet production schedules and quality standards.
• Manage shipping, receiving, materials flow, and inventory control.
• Track and analyze KPIs related to output, quality, cost, and delivery performance.
• Drive Lean, Six Sigma, and process improvement initiatives to enhance productivity and reduce waste.

Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of 40–50 employees, including supervisors, technicians, and operators.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Project Management to align operational execution with business goals.
• Support workforce planning, training, and performance management initiatives.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to ISO, UL, OSHA, and other applicable regulatory standards.
• Champion defect reduction and root cause analysis to improve product reliability.
• Promote and maintain safety and quality as top operational priorities.

Process & Equipment Optimization

• Collaborate with Engineering and Maintenance to improve equipment performance and reduce downtime.
• Identify and implement automation and cost-saving opportunities across production areas.
• Standardize manufacturing procedures and documentation for efficiency and scalability.

Safety & Environmental Compliance

• Lead safety initiatives to ensure compliance with OSHA, NFPA, and environmental regulations.
• Conduct regular safety audits, enforce PPE requirements, and lead incident investigations.
• Promote a proactive safety culture across all production teams.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related field.
• 6+ years of experience in electrical distribution equipment manufacturing (switchgear, switchboards, circuit breakers, transformers, etc.).
• Proven track record managing engineer-to-order (ETO) manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrated leadership in fabrication, assembly, and testing environments.
• Strong proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (NetSuite preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.
• Experience applying Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to improve efficiency and quality.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.

Preferred:

• Direct experience with switchgear manufacturing.
• Background with leading competitors or similar organizations in power distribution equipment.

Key Attributes for Success

• Hands-on, results-driven leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.
• Strategic thinker with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and long-term commitment.
• Effective communicator who can engage teams and foster collaboration across departments.

Compensation & Schedule

• Salary Range: $150,000–$180,000 (higher for exceptional candidates)
• Bonus: Up to 20% annual performance bonus
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM; occasional Saturdays as needed
• Travel: Minimal, primarily local

Why Join

This is a key leadership opportunity with a growing organization that has a strong project backlog through next year and beyond. The company offers stability, autonomy, and the opportunity to make a tangible impact on operational excellence, quality, and customer satisfaction.

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