Operations Manager – Manufacturing

Location

Mentor, OH

Salary

$100,000–$150,000 + Bonus

Benefits

Excellent healthcare, 401(k), PTO

About the Company

A family-owned manufacturer founded in 1978, this company has grown into a trusted supplier for aerospace, transportation, shipping, forklift, and supply-chain industries. With approximately 20 employees and 20 CNC machines on-site, they are ISO certified, highly automated, and recognized for their strong systems, processes, and exceptional workforce. The company is in a significant growth phase, creating an opportunity for an operations leader to make a major impact.

Position Overview

The Operations Manager will serve as the right hand to the VP and lead day-to-day production and shop-floor operations. This is a highly hands-on role that blends leadership, technical expertise, production oversight, automation, and customer interaction. The ideal candidate is a strong people leader who thrives in a small, high-performing environment and wants to help drive the company into its next stage of growth.

This person will play a critical role in scaling operations, implementing KPIs, elevating quality systems toward AS9100 certification, and strengthening the company’s position in the market.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Operations

·        Lead and mentor shop-floor employees; foster a high-performance, team-oriented culture.

·        Serve as the primary operational partner to the VP in driving daily and long-term business objectives.

·        Oversee all production operations, including machining, scheduling, workflow management, and maintenance.

·        Step in hands-on with CNC machines or automation systems when needed.

Production & Technology

·        Ensure efficient utilization of CNC machinery and automation equipment.

·        Maintain and optimize production processes, tooling, and equipment reliability.

·        Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

Quality & Compliance

·        Guide the organization from ISO certification toward AS9100 standards.

·        Establish and track KPIs for production, quality, delivery, throughput, and efficiency.

·        Partner with quality teams and external auditors as needed.

Customer, Sales & Quoting

·        Collaborate with the VP and sales teams on quotes, timelines, and pricing.

·        Support customer relationships through communication, visits, and issue resolution.

·        Help align production capabilities with customer needs and growth opportunities.

Strategic Growth

·        Play an instrumental role in scaling operations during rapid company growth.

·        Contribute to facility expansion, staffing decisions, equipment investments, and strategic planning.

·        Build operational structure, systems, and processes that support long-term sustainability.

Qualifications

·        5+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, preferably in CNC machining or precision manufacturing.

·        Strong leadership background with experience managing multiple employees or supervisors.

·        Hands-on technical experience with CNC machines and/or automation.

·        Experience with ISO or AS9100 quality systems strongly preferred.

·        Demonstrated ability to implement KPIs, streamline operations, and drive continuous improvement.

·        Customer-oriented mindset with strong communication skills.

·        Desire to grow with the organization and take on increasing responsibility.

What’s in It for You

·        Highly visible role with direct impact on company performance and growth.

·        Opportunity to help lead the transition to AS9100 and elevate operational excellence.

·        Work closely with experienced leadership in a stable, well-run, family-owned company.

·        Competitive compensation package, bonus potential, strong healthcare plan, 401(k), and PTO.

·        Significant room for advancement as the company continues to grow.