Manufacturing Operations Manager

H C DUKE & SON LLC•East Moline, IL

2d•$100,000 - $130,000•Onsite

About The Position

Electro Freeze/H.C. Duke LLC, a Welbilt Company, located in East Moline, Illinois, is a leader in the design and innovation of frozen treat equipment. Our product line includes solutions for soft serve, yogurt, shake, frozen beverages, hard pack/gelato batch freezers, and flavor systems. The Manufacturing Operations Manager is responsible for leading manufacturing operations, inventory management, quality initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts for Electro Freeze/H.C. Duke. This position provides leadership to production, inventory control, and related operational functions to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective manufacturing operations while meeting customer expectations for quality and delivery. The Manufacturing Operations Manager works closely with Engineering, Customer Service, Finance, Human Resources, Sales and Leadership to support business objectives and drive operational excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Management, Business Administration, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
Minimum 5-7 years of manufacturing leadership experience.
Experience managing production operations in a manufacturing environment.
Experience with ERP systems and production planning processes.
Strong leadership, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive results.

Nice To Haves

Experience with SAP or similar ERP systems.
APICS/CPIM certification.
Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Continuous Improvement training.
Experience in metal fabrication, machining, welding, assembly, or related manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

Lead daily manufacturing operations to achieve quality, delivery, and cost objectives, with safety at the forefront of all.
Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to production, inventory, labor efficiency, on-time delivery, quality.
Identify and implement process improvements that increase productivity and reduce waste.
Support operational goal setting.
Monitor production capacity and staffing requirements to meet changing business demands.
Ensure effective coordination between production, purchasing, engineering, and service functions.
Resolve production bottlenecks and capacity constraints.
Support successful launches of new products and engineering changes.
Champion Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the organization.
Facilitate root cause analysis, corrective actions, and waste reduction activities.
Drive improvements in workflow, labor utilization, inventory accuracy, and production performance.
Assist with make-versus-buy evaluations and sourcing decisions.
Model and promote a strong culture of workplace safety and regulatory compliance.
Partner with Production Supervisors and Leadership to improve product quality and reduce defects.
Support auditing activities and corrective action programs.
Ensure compliance with company policies and manufacturing standards.
Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and operational team members.
Foster engagement, accountability, and professional growth of both direct and indirect reports.
Assist with workforce planning, succession planning, and talent development.
Partner with Human Resources regarding staffing, performance management, training, and employee relations matters.
In conjunction with Finance, oversee production inventory control and annual physical inventory.
Assist in managing and monitoring departmental expenses.
Monitor operational spending and identify cost-saving opportunities.
Support annual operating plans and profitability initiatives.
Develop production inventory strategies that balance production requirements with inventory investment.