Operations Manager

VVater • Austin, TX

151d

About The Position

Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, the Operations Manager leads day-to-day execution across manufacturing, installation/commissioning, and operations & maintenance (O&M) for VVater’s water and wastewater treatment products and projects. This high-caliber leader owns project planning and forecasting, builds disciplined processes on the shop floor and in the field, and drives on-time, on-budget delivery with unwavering attention to quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or related field; advanced degree or MBA a plus.
• 7+ years of progressive operations/project leadership in engineered products, process equipment, or water/wastewater; experience bridging factory and field execution.
• Demonstrated excellence in project management and forecasting; PMP or equivalent experience preferred, including proficiency in solutions like Microsoft Projects, Procore, and others.
• Proven track record with Lean/Six Sigma toolsets; Green/Black Belt preferred.
• Hands-on familiarity with manufacturing processes (fabrication, machining, assembly), industrial automation/controls environments (PLC/SCADA), and commissioning practices.
• Strong command of ERP/MRP (work orders, BOMs, routings), CMMS, and data-driven KPI management; advanced spreadsheet/reporting skills.
• Quality and compliance mindset (ISO 9001 practices; understanding of common customer/industry specs for water treatment).
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and team-building skills; able to lead on the floor or at a job site as comfortably as in an executive review.

Responsibilities

• Run the operations drumbeat: master production scheduling, capacity planning, material readiness, and daily tier meetings; maintain clear KPIs for safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Lead end-to-end project management—scope, timeline, budget, risk register, change control, stakeholder comms—from contract award through FAT/SAT, commissioning, and handover to O&M.
• Own field execution and O&M programs: startup checklists, preventive/predictive maintenance plans (CMMS), spares/kitting, service SLAs, and technician training.
• Drive operational excellence: implement standard work, visual management, Lean/Six Sigma and problem-solving (A3/8D), root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement to increase throughput and reduce scrap/rework.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with Engineering/R&D for design-for-manufacture/assembly (DFMA), value engineering, and ECO implementation; ensure technical documentation is complete and current.
• Partner with Supply Chain on S&OP, supplier performance, expediting, inventory health (min/max, safety stock), and logistics readiness to de-risk critical paths.
• Oversee quality systems and compliance activities in partnership with QA/QC (inspection plans, first-article/FAI, nonconformance/SCAR closure, ISO 9001 practices).
• Champion EHS programs and field/site readiness (tooling, lift/rigging plans, LOTO, JHAs) and ensure adherence to applicable regulations and customer standards.
• Stand up and improve digital operations tools: ERP/MRP discipline for work orders and BOM accuracy, MES/SCADA data for OEE and downtime analysis, and project dashboards for executive visibility.
• Build and mentor a high-performing team of supervisors, planners, and technicians; set clear goals, conduct performance reviews, and develop talent pipelines.
• Prepare weekly performance packs and monthly operating reviews; manage departmental budgets, cost-reduction initiatives, and forecast-to-actual variance analysis.
• Represent Operations in customer meetings, factory/field walk-downs, and punch-list closeouts; drive issue resolution and lessons learned.
• Perform all other duties as instructed by the company.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees