Operations Manager

Operations Manager

Location: Northern Colorado, Colorado, USA

• $150,000 – $195,000 base salary depending on experience
• 401(k) with company match up to 5%
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability
• Full-time, site-based position, 5 days per week
• Relocation assistance available

Umbilical Search is proud to partner with a global engineering and manufacturing organisation operating across multiple international markets.

The business operates within complex manufacturing environments, supplying highly engineered products and solutions to demanding customers across technology-led industrial sectors.

This is a highly visible site leadership position with responsibility for a significant manufacturing operation in Northern Colorado, overseeing a large workforce and a broad operational remit spanning operations, manufacturing, production, quality, Lean and continuous improvement, alongside overall people leadership.

The successful candidate will take ownership of the day-to-day manufacturing operation, leading all operational and production activities through a significant period of growth and development. They will be responsible for driving operational efficiency, production performance, quality, delivery, workforce development and continuous improvement across the facility.

This is a confidential retained search. Further information regarding the organisation and facility will be shared with suitably qualified candidates during the recruitment process.

Key responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day manufacturing operations within a large, technically complex manufacturing facility, ensuring production targets, quality standards and customer delivery requirements are achieved
• Lead an operational workforce of approximately 275–300 employees through a team of Managers and a wider team of production supervisors
• Develop and strengthen management capability, improving leadership, accountability and performance across Team Managers and frontline supervisors
• Drive operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, inventory, productivity and continuous improvement
• Manage production planning, workforce allocation, capacity and scheduling to support increasing manufacturing demand and business growth
• Lead manufacturing ramp-up activities, supporting the transition towards a 24/7 operating model through effective resource planning and shift management
• Drive Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma and continuous improvement initiatives to increase throughput, reduce waste and improve process efficiency
• Oversee complex manufacturing processes, working closely with Engineering, Quality and R&D to improve process control, resolve technical challenges and maintain demanding product standards
• Work cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality and Supply Chain to improve manufacturing capability, equipment effectiveness, production reliability and customer delivery
• Establish a visible and credible leadership presence, developing high-performing teams, building trust across the workforce and ensuring operational objectives are consistently delivered.

Experience Required:

• Proven leadership experience in an operational management role, such as Operations Manager, Senior Operations Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Production Manager, Plant Manager or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing or a related discipline; an MBA would be highly desirable.
• 10+ years’ senior operations leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record of managing mid- to large-scale manufacturing operations.
• Hands-on experience with Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, process improvement and operational excellence methodologies.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems such as SAP or Microsoft Dynamics.
• Strong understanding of key operational KPIs, including safety, quality, delivery, cost and productivity.
• Proven ability to build, develop and improve high-performing teams.
• Strong commercial and business acumen, with the ability to influence and engage effectively with senior stakeholders.

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a significant manufacturing operation within a growing organisation undergoing an exciting period of development and transformation.

The successful individual will have strong visibility across the wider business, with the opportunity to influence culture, operational performance, manufacturing capability and future growth.

The role offers excellent long-term career potential, with the opportunity to progress into broader operational leadership responsibilities as the organisation continues to grow.

If you are an ambitious Operations leader who enjoys building high-performing teams, transforming cultures, improving performance and delivering results, this is an opportunity to make a significant and lasting impact.

Umbilical LLC is committed to promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. We act as a neutral third party in the recruitment process, basing our candidate searches on skills and experience.

We do not discriminate based on age, gender, sex, relationship status, disability, race, religion/beliefs, or sexual orientation.