Operations Manager

Position Summary

Centor is seeking an Operations Manager for its Millersburg, Ohio location. The Operations Manager is responsible for the overall performance of manufacturing operations within an assigned building, value stream, or business unit. This role is accountable for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people performance while ensuring compliance with regulatory and quality system requirements. The Operations Manager leads cross-functional execution and drives operational excellence through structured performance management, workforce development, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Organizational Context

• Reports to: Plant Director / Director of Operations
• Direct Reports: Production Supervisors (multi-shift), Process Engineer
• Matrix Collaboration: Quality Engineer (building owner), Maintenance Manager, Supply Chain / Planning, HR and EHS

The Operations Manager has end-to-end accountability for operational execution, while partnering with embedded Quality and Engineering functions.

Core Responsibilities

1. Operational Performance Ownership

• Safety performance (LTIR, near-miss reporting)
• Quality metrics (CNQ, internal scrap/rejects, complaints)
• Delivery performance (OTIF)
• Cost performance (labor efficiency, scrap, overtime)
• Productivity and OEE

Establish daily management systems (tier meetings, KPI dashboards) to monitor performance and drive accountability.

2. Safety & Compliance Leadership

• Ensure compliance with EHS regulations and internal safety standards
• Reinforce safe work practices across all shifts
• Maintain compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, including ISO 9001 / ISO 13485 as applicable, GMP, and FDA regulations if applicable
• Ensure audit readiness and support internal/external audits

3. Production Execution & Capacity Management

• Ensure production plans are executed according to schedule
• Balance labor and machine capacity across shifts
• Manage staffing models for multi-shift environment
• Identify and remove operational bottlenecks
• Lead escalation during major operational disruptions

4. Leadership & Workforce Development

• Develop Production Supervisors and frontline leaders
• Drive engagement and accountability culture
• Conduct performance evaluations and succession planning
• Foster a high-performance team environment
• Lead change management initiatives

5. Cross-Functional Alignment

• Partner with Quality Engineer to ensure defect prevention and rapid containment
• Collaborate with Process Engineer on process improvements and technical upgrades
• Align with Supply Chain to manage inventory and customer demand variability
• Coordinate with Maintenance to ensure equipment reliability

6. Continuous Improvement & Cost Control

• Lead Lean manufacturing initiatives
• Reduce cost of non quality (CNQ)
• Improve labor productivity, OEE and absorption rates
• Implement structured problem-solving (DMAIC, 8D)
• Drive waste elimination and workflow optimization

Authority Level

• Allocate labor resources
• Approve overtime and staffing adjustments
• Escalate production holds (in partnership with Quality)
• Approve operational expenditures within budget
• Initiate improvement projects

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related discipline
• 3-6 years of manufacturing experience
• 3+ years of leadership experience in multi-shift operations
• Strong knowledge of Lean manufacturing, KPI management systems, capacity planning, and financial acumen (cost control, budgeting)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in regulated industries (pharma, medical device, prescription packaging)
• Lean Six Sigma certification
• Experience managing operations in decentralized structures
• Injection Molding process experience

Key Competencies

• Operational execution discipline
• Strategic and tactical balance
• Data-driven leadership
• Decisiveness under pressure
• Financial accountability
• Cross-functional influence
• People development capability

Performance Metrics

• Safety (LTIR, recordables)
• Quality (PPM, complaint rate)
• OTIF delivery
• OEE
• CNQ
• Scrap % of sales
• Labor productivity
• Employee engagement and retention

Role Impact

In a building-level ownership model, the Operations Manager functions as the operational general manager, accountable for daily execution discipline, cross-shift performance consistency, alignment between production, quality, and engineering, and financial performance of the building.