Branch Operations Manager – Industrial Equipment & Service
About The Position
Lead the day-to-day operations of an established U.S. operation for a German-owned industrial machinery manufacturer in the Greater Chicago Area. The U.S. business has approximately five employees, including field service technicians and warehouse support. The Operations Manager will lead and develop the team while overseeing service activities, technician scheduling, spare parts operations, customer relationships, and administrative processes. The initial priorities are to understand the business, improve workflows, establish clear responsibilities and accountability, and strengthen communication and reporting between the U.S. operation and German headquarters. As the organization develops, the manager will help expand the team, strengthen technical service capabilities, and support local project management and business development activities. The company manufactures specialized industrial machinery, conveyor systems, and automated material handling solutions; its U.S. operation serves North American customers through technical field service, spare parts, equipment installation, and commissioning.
Requirements
- Strong organizational and operational leadership skills, including experience establishing processes, defining responsibilities, improving workflows, and driving accountability.
- Experience managing technical service operations, including coordinating field technicians, scheduling resources, and overseeing maintenance, installation, or commissioning activities.
- Proven people management experience, including leading and developing a small team, setting priorities, making independent decisions, and supporting future hiring.
- Several years of experience in industrial machinery, equipment manufacturing, automation, engineering, or a related technical environment.
- Practical, hands-on leadership style and ability to manage multiple operational priorities in a smaller organization without extensive support structures.
- Strong customer relationship management skills, commercial awareness, and understanding of service and aftermarket business opportunities.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate with U.S. employees and international management teams.
- Willingness to travel within the U.S. and occasionally to Germany.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with European or German-owned companies, conveyor systems, material handling equipment, project management, technical sales, or business development.
- German language skills.
Responsibilities
- Oversee daily U.S. business activities, establish clear responsibilities, improve workflows, and drive accountability.
- Lead and develop existing employees, coordinate priorities, and support hiring and onboarding of additional technical and administrative personnel.
- Coordinate field technician scheduling, maintenance, equipment installations, commissioning, and customer service activities.
- Improve spare parts and inventory management, purchasing, administrative coordination, and operational reporting.
- Develop knowledge of existing customers, installed equipment, and service needs while maintaining responsive customer support.
- Work with management, engineering, service, and project teams in Germany to support communication and project execution.
- Help expand technical service and aftermarket activities and gradually develop local project management and business development capabilities.
Benefits
- Employer contribution toward health and dental insurance coverage costs.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions of up to 3%.
- 20 vacation days annually.
- 9 company-observed paid holidays.
- Meaningful responsibility and autonomy to improve processes, develop the team, and influence how the business runs.
- Opportunity to build on an existing customer base and technical service team while helping shape the next phase of the business.
- International collaboration with leadership and technical teams at German headquarters.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
No Education Listed
