Operations Manager

MKS Instruments•Wilmington, MA

About The Position

The Operations Manager leads and directs the manufacturing factory’s day-to-day operations while driving longer-term initiatives in operational efficiency, productivity, quality, and value creation. The role provides hands-on leadership across the factory floor, covering production scheduling, direct labor management, manufacturing processes, safety, 6S and Lean initiatives, quality, and continuous improvement. It supports new product introduction (NPI), develops capacity and staffing plans, and serves as the primary escalation point for production, personnel, material, and quality issues. The position balances daily execution with strategic process improvement in a fast-paced, cross-functional, global environment. The manager leads Production and Test Supervisors and manufacturing personnel; oversees workforce scheduling, attendance, performance, hiring, development, and training; and ensures adherence to manufacturing processes, work instructions, safety requirements, and company policies. The role coordinates production priorities and material needs, maintains tools and equipment, resolves operational issues, recommends capital and labor requirements, and develops capacity, staffing, training, and safety plans. It also drives continuous improvement and partners with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Planning, Purchasing, Logistics, and other teams to achieve production objectives. Success is measured through safety, schedule attainment, quality and first-pass yield, cycle time, labor productivity, on-time delivery, capacity utilization, training and cross-training, material availability, 6S and Lean performance, continuous improvement, and employee engagement and performance. The role requires supporting operations across three shifts and flexibility to adjust or change shifts as business needs require. The work takes place in a warehouse environment that may have minimal climate control and varying noise levels, with potential exposure to hazards involving mechanical and electrical hardware, high voltage, gas, water, and heat.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field is listed as preferred; the posting does not state it as a mandatory requirement.
7+ years of progressive manufacturing or factory operations experience, with demonstrated leadership responsibility.
Experience managing production teams, supervisors, and direct labor personnel in a manufacturing environment.
Strong understanding of production planning, capacity planning, scheduling, labor management, and manufacturing processes.
Experience with Lean Manufacturing, 6S, continuous improvement, and problem-solving methodologies.
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement standard work, work instructions, training programs, and safety procedures.
Experience working cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Planning, Purchasing, and Logistics.
Strong analytical and organizational skills, including the ability to use data to identify opportunities and drive improvements.
Excellent communication, leadership, coaching, and conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to prioritize competing demands and make effective decisions in a fast-paced production environment.
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. as required.
Ability to stand and walk and operate in a warehouse environment for extended periods.
Dedication to safety when working around hazards that may include mechanical and electrical hardware, high voltage, gas, water, and heat.
Flexibility to support operations across three shifts and adjust or change shifts as business needs require.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) and production ramp activities is preferred.
Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead, direct, and supervise Production and Test Supervisors and manufacturing personnel in a global operating environment.
Manage time and attendance, including shift schedules, PTO, sick time, overtime, and employee start and stop times.
Develop and maintain capacity and staffing models aligned with factory production requirements.
Manage employee performance, including reviews, goal setting, coaching, feedback, disciplinary actions, interviewing, hiring, and termination.
Ensure compliance with manufacturing processes, procedures, work instructions, safety requirements, and company policies.
Serve as the primary escalation point for personnel, supply, quality, technical, process, and cross-functional issues.
Lead daily production meetings and prioritize workflow across fabrication, assembly, and test work cells in support of the Master Production Schedule.
Coordinate shipping and receiving priorities with the Logistics team.
Ensure manufacturing tools and equipment are maintained and calibrated according to established schedules.
Identify material shortages and coordinate expediting activities with Purchasing and Planning.
Resolve production issues and implement corrective actions to improve productivity, quality, throughput, and delivery performance.
Provide budgetary recommendations for capital expenditures and direct and indirect labor requirements.
Lead and maintain 6S and Lean manufacturing activities throughout factory operations.
Help define, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures and workmanship standards.
Train, coach, and develop employees on job responsibilities, safety procedures, manufacturing processes, and company policies.
Develop capacity plans based on cycle time, demand forecasts, labor availability, and equipment requirements.
Translate capacity requirements into staffing and facilities planning needs.
Develop and maintain training matrices and cross-training plans to support workforce flexibility and production coverage.
Develop Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) for manufacturing operations and ensure appropriate safety controls are implemented.
Drive continuous improvement focused on quality, efficiency, cycle time, first-pass yield, productivity, and overall factory performance.
Identify opportunities to eliminate waste, improve manufacturing flow, reduce downtime, and optimize labor and equipment utilization.
Support NPI activities to ensure manufacturing readiness, process capability, training, tooling, and staffing for production launches.
Partner with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Planning, Purchasing, Logistics, and other cross-functional teams to resolve issues and achieve production objectives.
Support operations across three shifts and adjust or change shifts as business needs require.