Operations Manager

Greystone of Lincoln • Toano, VA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Operations Manager is described as an entry-level management role for early-career engineers, with broad ownership of a dedicated production line. The position has end-to-end accountability from customer order receipt through final inspection, packaging, and shipment. Assigned lines may involve electroplating, anodizing, secondary finishing, or ITAR-controlled machining. The role is also the primary operational contact for customers assigned to the line and is responsible for delivering on quality, speed, and cost commitments. It is a high-visibility position with a stated path to senior operations and plant leadership.

The role directs daily production, schedules, line performance, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement while overseeing quality, regulatory compliance, safety, environmental requirements, customer communication, team leadership, and line-level cost management. It reports operational performance to the Plant Manager and may also provide reports directly to customers.

Work is performed primarily on the manufacturing floor, with some time in an associated office. The position may involve exposure to plating chemistry, cutting fluids, metallic particulate, and dry film lubricants, depending on line assignment. Required personal protective equipment is provided and must be used. The role requires willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional off-shift support as production needs require.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to apply engineering principles to hands-on process challenges in a regulated, high-volume environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to engage effectively with operators, plant leadership, and external customers.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced, quality-driven production environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident) as required by ITAR, 22 C.F.R. Parts 120–130.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional off-shift support as production needs require.

Nice To Haves

• Internship, co-op, or project experience in manufacturing, finishing, automotive, defense, or firearms.
• Familiarity with electrochemistry, surface finishing, or chemical processing; relevant coursework counts.
• Exposure to Mil-Spec finishing standards such as MIL-A-8625, AMS 2406, or related specifications.
• Knowledge of quality core tools, including FMEA, Control Plans, SPC, MSA, and APQP.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, 5S, or Kaizen methodologies.
• ROTC or military service background; highly regarded.
• Basic understanding of ITAR and export control compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Direct day-to-day production on an assigned line to meet output, quality, and delivery goals.
• Develop and manage daily and weekly production schedules, coordinating with maintenance, chemistry, scheduling, and support functions.
• Monitor and report line performance metrics, including OEE, cycle time, scrap/rework rate, and on-time delivery, to the Plant Manager daily.
• Lead structured troubleshooting of process, chemistry, and equipment issues, and implement and verify corrective actions.
• Drive continuous improvement through Lean, 5S, and Kaizen initiatives to improve yield, reduce scrap, and lower costs.
• Manage line-level labor assignments, overtime, tooling, and consumable usage within established budgets.
• Ensure line activities conform to applicable quality systems and certifications, including IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and NADCAP requirements.
• Maintain process documentation, including control plans, FMEAs, work instructions, inspection records, and traceability records, in compliance with customer, Mil-Spec, and applicable ITAR requirements.
• Lead layered process audits, SPC monitoring, and daily quality checks; own root cause and corrective action for line non-conformances, including customer-facing 8D responses.
• Ensure tight-tolerance plating specifications are met and use PPS capabilities to maintain Cpk targets on selective plating applications.
• For ITAR-controlled machining or defense-finishing lines, ensure compliance with export controls for controlled parts and technical data, and immediately escalate potential violations.
• Enforce safety procedures and environmental compliance, including proper handling and documentation of plating chemistry.
• Serve as the primary operational contact for assigned customers, providing proactive updates on order status, schedules, and quality performance.
• Communicate scheduling changes, quality escapes, and capacity constraints promptly; develop and present corrective action plans as required by customers.
• Support new program launches and PPAP submissions, coordinating with process engineering, quality, and scheduling to meet launch milestones.
• Represent the company in customer audits, program reviews, and on-site visits, demonstrating knowledge of the assigned line’s processes and quality system.
• Supervise, coach, and develop line operators and team leads; conduct performance evaluations and address performance issues.
• Lead daily start-of-shift meetings covering production goals, quality priorities, safety topics, and shift handoff information.
• Coordinate recruiting, onboarding, and job-specific training with HR, and verify operator competency before independent work on controlled processes.
• Build a line culture focused on safety awareness, quality ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor and report line cost drivers, including labor efficiency, scrap and rework cost, chemistry consumption, tooling, and overtime.
• Manage consumable and overtime spending to department budgets and provide root cause analysis for significant variances.
• Prepare and deliver operational performance reports for the Plant Manager and, as needed, customers.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision coverage and a retirement plan.
• Structured onboarding and mentorship pairing new engineers with experienced plant and process leadership.

What This Job Offers

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