Operations Manager

Standard Bots•Philadelphia, PA

21h•$100,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

As Operations Manager, you are the person who keeps our shop running. You'll own the day-to day operation of our build facility in South-East Pennsylvania — managing machine builds, coordinating our team of technicians, overseeing procurement, and ensuring the building and its equipment are maintained and compliant. You're the connective tissue between engineering plans and physical execution. You're as comfortable in a planning meeting reviewing a build schedule as you are walking the shop floor troubleshooting a bottleneck. You operate with urgency, hold a high bar for organization and safety, and take genuine ownership of outcomes. You build processes that stick — not just fire-fight.

Requirements

5+ years of operations experience in a manufacturing, fabrication, systems integration, or technical production environment
Demonstrated track record managing shop floor operations including build scheduling, team coordination, and throughput accountability
Experience owning procurement workflows and vendor/supplier relationships, including negotiation and cost management
Prior experience managing facilities operations including maintenance coordination, contractor management, and compliance oversight
Experience managing small teams; track record of developing direct reports and building a high-performance team culture
Working knowledge of manufacturing and assembly processes relevant to electromechanical systems: mechanical assembly, panel wiring, and integration workflows
Ability to read mechanical drawings, BOMs, and wiring schematics at a functional level
Proficiency with procurement tools, ERP/MRP software, or inventory management systems
Familiarity with OSHA standards, workplace safety requirements, and general building compliance
Competency in standard business software: spreadsheets, project tracking tools, and documentation platforms
Strong organizational instincts and bias toward action: you drive clarity, close loops, and hold yourself and others accountable
Natural leader: you set clear expectations, develop the people around you, and maintain a high bar
Clear and direct communicator across functions: engineering, leadership, and external vendors
Systems thinker: you build processes and structures that prevent problems rather than constantly reacting to them
Hands-on and adaptable: comfortable rolling up your sleeves as well as stepping back to see the bigger picture

Nice To Haves

Experience in a robotics, automation, or advanced manufacturing company
Background in lean manufacturing principles: 5S, Kaizen, value stream mapping, or similar frameworks
OSHA 30 course or equivalent comprehensive safety training
Experience setting up or scaling a new manufacturing or integration facility
Familiarity with ERP or MRP systems (NetSuite, Fishbowl, or equivalent)
Experience managing capital equipment procurement and installation projects
Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience)

Responsibilities

Manage the daily operation of the build shop: scheduling, floor organization, tool and equipment readiness, and team utilization
Own the machine build schedule in coordination with engineering and implementation leads — track progress against milestones and identify risks early
Maintain a safe, clean, and organized shop environment. Enforce 5S standards and build a culture where safety is non-negotiable
Manage shop tools, equipment, and consumable inventory. Oversee equipment maintenance schedules and coordinate repairs
Drive continuous improvement in build workflows, cell layout, and assembly procedures to increase throughput and reduce rework
Own end-to-end procurement for all shop materials, hardware components, and capital equipment
Source and qualify vendors. Negotiate pricing, lead times, and terms across a portfolio of suppliers
Manage purchase orders and align procurement activity with project build schedules and inventory targets
Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure reliable supply and quick escalation paths when issues arise
Track procurement spend and maintain visibility into cost-per-build metrics over time
Oversee all aspects of facility management: routine maintenance, utilities, and building compliance
Manage relationships with facilities contractors including HVAC, electrical, and janitorial services
Coordinate facility improvements, new equipment installations, and workspace reconfigurations to support the team's growth
Ensure the facility meets all relevant OSHA, building code, and environmental requirements; manage inspection and compliance documentation
Directly manage technicians on the shop floor: set daily priorities, manage capacity, and develop team members over time
Partner closely with Automation Engineers and Machine Designers to align build sequencing, resource allocation, and schedule commitments
Communicate operational status, schedule risks, and blockers clearly and proactively to company leadership
Hire and onboard operations staff as the team grows; build the team structure that supports the next stage of scale
Design and implement operational SOPs, build tracking systems, and workflows that create consistency and scale with volume
Build and maintain dashboards or reporting for builds, procurement spend, lead times, and facility costs
Identify bottlenecks across procurement, build, and facilities and drive structured solutions rather than one-off fixes