Operations Manager

Laser Thermal • Charlottesville, VA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Laser Thermal is pioneering the future of thermal metrology, designing and building advanced instruments for fast, accurate thermal property measurements in demanding fields like semiconductors, aerospace, and energy. The company combines optical innovation with scalable engineering to support R&D and production. The team values hands-on problem-solving, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the belief that better data leads to better design. Laser Thermal is seeking an Operations Manager to lead and scale daily operations, encompassing manufacturing, supply chain, and inventory management. This role is crucial for ensuring efficient production workflows, maintaining inventory accuracy, and developing the operational infrastructure necessary for company growth. The Operations Manager will report to company leadership and collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, and administrative teams to drive operational excellence across all product lines. This highly cross-functional position requires both strategic thinking and hands-on execution within a dynamic startup environment, aligning production schedules, procurement, and resource planning to meet business and customer needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in operations, manufacturing, supply chain, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in operations, manufacturing, or supply chain management
• Experience managing production workflows, inventory systems, and procurement processes
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., Odoo, NetSuite)
• Strong organizational and project management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced, hands-on environment

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a startup or high-growth manufacturing environment
• Background in hardware, electronics, or optomechanical systems
• Experience scaling manufacturing operations or building processes from the ground up
• Familiarity with quality management systems and production planning tools
• Leadership experience managing or mentoring teams

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage daily manufacturing operations, ensuring alignment with production timelines and quality standards
• Develop and maintain production schedules across all product lines
• Oversee inventory management, including material planning, tracking, and reconciliation
• Manage procurement processes, vendor relationships, and supply chain logistics
• Implement and optimize ERP/MRP systems for production planning and inventory control
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts between engineering, manufacturing, and administrative teams
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, scalability, and quality
• Establish and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and operational documentation
• Monitor key performance metrics and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Support hiring, onboarding, and development of manufacturing and operations personnel

Benefits

• Health care plan (medical, dental, and vision) with FSA and HSA options
• Retirement plan with company contribution, 401(k)
• Basic life Insurance
• Long-term Disability
• Company stock option plan
• Paid time off (vacation, sick)
• 13 paid holidays
• Parental leave
• Health and wellness subsidy

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level