Senior Manager-Production Operations

S&C Electric Company•Palatine, IL

5d•$154,968 - $205,333•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Manager – Production Operations plans, oversees, and manages departmental operations and production processes. The role leads a team of Managers, Assistant Managers, and Supervisors to achieve strategic objectives and key results (OKRs) and key performance indicators (KPIs) in safety, quality, delivery, and cost (SQDC). It focuses on strategic and tactical operations planning with a mid-term horizon, contributes to functional strategies, directs the operations of multiple departments, drives problem-solving and continuous improvement, reports results to executive leadership, and makes strategic adjustments and countermeasures when targets are missed. The position is based onsite in Palatine, Illinois, with hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The estimated annual base salary range is $154,968 to $205,332.60. The position is also eligible for S&C’s annual incentive plan, subject to eligibility criteria.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline such as Engineering, or a related field.
Belief in and alignment with S&C Guiding Principles and Core Values.
At least 10 years of manufacturing experience in an industrial metals fabrication environment, including advanced CNC machining, welding, laser cutting, forming, punching, stamping, and related finishing operations.
At least 5 years of supervisory or management experience in a fabrication environment leading hourly and salaried employees.
Leadership experience in workforce planning, scheduling and staffing, employee development, coaching, and performance management.
Knowledge of precision machining processes and practices in a high-mix, low-to-medium-volume environment.
Demonstrated track record of lean manufacturing leadership, sustained improvements, and KPI attainment.
Leadership ability in a multilevel manufacturing environment, including guiding, motivating, and delegating to deliver results.
Critical-thinking, organizational, planning, project-management, and creative problem-solving skills.
Interpersonal skills to build trust and respect, navigate and resolve conflict, moderate behaviors, and foster collaborative working relationships with diverse audiences.
Excellent written, verbal, listening, and presentation skills, including the ability to work with internal and external stakeholders at all levels and gain buy-in from executives, managers, and team members.
Analytical skills and ability to use data to make informed decisions, solve difficult problems, and drive continuous improvement.
Proven ability to partner across teams, build effective relationships at all levels, and collaborate operationally.
Ability to adapt quickly and positively to change and different ways of working, and to accomplish goals despite challenges.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing multiple shifts.
Proficiency with Oracle.
Master’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
Six Sigma certification(s).
Certified Lean Six Sigma (CLSS).
Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE).

Responsibilities

Promote a safety-first culture, ensure leaders understand and enforce safety rules, incorporate health and safety into departmental plans, and support compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards.
Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing team; model professional conduct; mediate conflicts; and support a positive, healthy, and inclusive workplace culture aligned with S&C’s mission, vision, values, and guiding principles.
Manage administrative team-member processes, including recruitment, induction, vacation management, performance reviews, performance improvement plans, and workforce and succession planning.
Set and monitor responsibilities and accountabilities; provide performance feedback; address performance gaps; recognize achievements; and initiate corrective actions or terminations when required.
Train, mentor, and coach team members and foster their growth and development.
Translate company strategies into mid-term tactical and operational plans, including automation, insourcing, and unattended machining initiatives.
Oversee the leadership team’s direction of daily departmental operations and ensure timely, cost-effective delivery against KPIs.
Work with senior leaders to recommend and implement operational-plan adjustments to meet OKRs and KPIs.
Lead strategic production planning with cross-functional teams, develop mid-term departmental plans, and initiate strategies that contribute to long-term production planning.
Work with leaders to optimize production schedules, identify bottlenecks, determine capacity plans and processing methods, and evaluate machine resources to sustain production and minimize downtime.
Balance productivity improvements with reduced manufacturing costs; set mid-term productivity goals and analyze managers’ report-outs.
Recommend and implement departmental performance-improvement goals; support process improvements that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve operational effectiveness.
Collaborate with leaders to develop high-level solutions and implementation plans across multifaceted functions; promote continuous improvement, simplification, standard work, process improvement, and lean principles.
Oversee broad quality-control programs, help leaders understand quality issues and solutions, and guide communication of corrective action plans, resolutions, and quality results.
Analyze reports and reviews from first-line supervisors; communicate production-impacting problems to upper management; and report production, quality, maintenance, or personnel issues to senior and executive leadership.
Develop and manage the function’s budget, allocate resources appropriately, approve operational expenditures, maximize return on investment, and identify investment opportunities with senior leaders.
Understand and comply with applicable company policies and rules.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance; attend in-person or virtual meetings as requested or required; communicate effectively and respectfully; drive a car or other vehicle; and perform other assigned responsibilities.