Manager-Production Operations

S&C Electric Company•Chicago, IL

9h•$128,080 - $169,177•Onsite

About The Position

As an S&C Electric team member, you’ll work on projects that have real-world impact. You’ll help transform the grid for resilient and reliable power worldwide. S&C has more than a 100-year history of innovation and has been 100% employee-owned since 2012. We continue this legacy as a trusted, forward-thinking leader in the electrical industry. You will advance a safer, more reliable, and more resilient electrical grid. Our products help the grid adapt to severe weather and transition to clean energy. We’re big enough to be a respected industry leader but small enough for you to impact our company directly. Our commitment gives you opportunities to impact on and off the job positively. Join S&C to make an impact on tomorrow’s energy challenges and become an employee-owner Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm / Onsite with flexibility Compensation: At S&C, we are dedicated to providing competitive and equitable compensation for all our team members, and we are committed to transparency in our pay practices. The estimated annual base salary range for this position is $128,080 - $169,176.60. Individual pay within this salary range is determined by several compensable factors, including performance, knowledge, job-related skills and experience, and relevant education or training. This role is also eligible for S&C’s annual incentive plan (AIP), subject to eligibility criteria. Join Our Team as a Manager - Production Planning! The Manager – Production Operations is responsible for overseeing, and managing production operations within a defined department, leading a team of Supervisors and frontline team members to achieve strategic objectives and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC). This role focuses on strategic and mid-term operational planning, aligning departmental goals with broader business objectives, and ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. The Manager – Production Operations drives continuous improvement initiatives, applies Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, and fosters a culture of accountability and collaboration. Additionally, the Manager – Production Operations prepares and presents operational reports to senior and executive leadership, highlighting progress, risks, and countermeasures, and makes tactical adjustments when targets are at risk.

Requirements

Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in manufacturing operations, including at least 2 years in a management role.
Experience in an Final Assembly and Test production environment for an OEM company.
Advanced knowledge of production processes, Lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills; ability to influence across functions.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP systems.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, or related field.

Nice To Haves

Experience in automation or electrical power manufacturing environments.
Experience with Oracle ERP systems.
Familiarity with ISO standards and regulatory compliance in manufacturing.
Lean Six Sigma Certification
Certified Lean Six Sigma (CLSS)
Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE).

Responsibilities

Production Planning & Scheduling Develop and maintain Master Production Schedule (MPS) that meet customer demand and S&OP objectives while optimizing inventory levels and resource utilization.
Monitor performance metrics and align with the demand planning team to proactively adjust plan and schedule to address changes in demand, capacity, or supply chain constraints.
Own and improve / maintain schedule attainment metric to be greater than 90%.
Maintain ERP/MRP planning parameters (lead times, safety stock, available-to-promise) for accurate scheduling.
Support the SIOP Leader to fully align and contribute to the lateral automation growth strategy.
Inventory Management & Material Flow Oversee inventory accuracy and control across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
Implement replenishment strategies to ensure continuity of supply while minimizing scrap and excess inventory.
Monitor and optimize material flow from suppliers through production to customer or distribution centers.
Establish and track inventory-related KPIs (e.g., turns, accuracy, cycle count compliance) and drive corrective actions.
Collaborate with procurement, logistics, and operations to resolve material shortages and prevent production delays.
Ensure ERP master data integrity for part numbers, planning parameters, and material transactions.
Leadership & Team Development Develop and mentor direct reports and team members to reach their next career goals and to increase understanding of customer expectations and operating environments.
Set clear expectations and priorities for team members; provide timely feedback and coaching.
Model company values fostering an inclusive, collaborative environment.
Cascade company strategies into actionable operational plans for the department.
Plan and execute hiring and training of staff to align with operational growth and budget constraints, ensuring the right skills and resources are available to meet production goals.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement Build strong cross-functional relationships to reduce production costs, improve quality, and enhance delivery performance.
Collaborate with inventory management to maintain high level of inventory cycle count accuracies.
Partner with procurement team to ensure supplier strategy supports current lead-time, quality, capacity, inventory and OTD requirements for the business.
Support new product introductions and engineering changes by integrating them into production plans.
Data Analysis & Reporting Utilize ERP/MRP systems to generate accurate forecasts and production schedules.
Prepare and present reports on production performance, capacity utilization, and planning accuracy.
Drive systemic performance improvements in production planning and validate the improvements through defined KPI’s and leverage the Novanta Problem Solving Process to drive continuous improvement to those KPI’s.
Strategic Reporting & Communication Communicate goals, KPIs, and strategic messages clearly to teams and stakeholders.
Prepare and present operational reports to senior and executive leadership, highlighting progress, risks, and countermeasures.
Use data-driven insights to support decision-making and strategic planning.
Additional Functions Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Attend in-person or virtual meetings as requested or required.
Communicate effectively and respectfully with others.
Drive a car or other vehicle.
Other responsibilities as assigned.