Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs
Manufacturing Operations Manager jobs are open across automotive, food and beverage, aerospace, electronics, and consumer goods manufacturing, at levels from production supervisor to plant director, with specializations in lean production, supply chain integration, and quality systems management. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 2,132+ Manufacturing Operations Manager jobs
About the Role
As a Manufacturing Operations Manager, you will lead the strategic direction and daily execution of our production facilities. You will drive operational excellence by optimizing OEE, championing safety initiatives, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement to meet ambitious growth targets.
Responsibilities
- Direct production, maintenance, and material handling teams to achieve excellence in safety, quality, and delivery performance.
- Analyze and improve plant OEE metrics to maximize productivity, reduce waste, and optimize variable labor costs.
- Oversee production scheduling and inventory management through ERP systems to ensure alignment with customer demand.
- Lead facility-wide safety programs, ensuring compliance with EHS standards and driving root cause analysis for all incidents.
- Manage the plant P&L, focusing on budget control, operational expenses, and gross margin improvement.
- Implement Lean Manufacturing methodologies, including 6S and Kaizen programs, to streamline workflows and reduce costs.
- Mentor and develop supervisory staff and production personnel to build a high-performing, skilled workforce.
- Coordinate facility projects and equipment installations, managing contractor resources to ensure timely project completion.
Qualifications
Required Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical field or equivalent professional experience.
- 5+ years of leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
- Proven track record of managing P&L and operational budgets.
- Expertise in Lean Manufacturing principles and process improvement.
- Strong proficiency in ERP/MRP systems and data analysis tools.
Preferred Skills:
- Direct experience in metal stamping or fabrication environments.
- Familiarity with ISO 9001:2015 quality management systems.
- OSHA 10 or 30-hour safety certification.
- Experience managing complex facility layouts and equipment upgrades.
About the Role
As a Manufacturing Operations Manager, you will lead the strategic direction and daily execution of our production facilities. You will drive operational excellence by optimizing OEE, championing safety initiatives, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement to meet ambitious growth targets.
Responsibilities
- Direct production, maintenance, and material handling teams to achieve excellence in safety, quality, and delivery performance.
- Analyze and improve plant OEE metrics to maximize productivity, reduce waste, and optimize variable labor costs.
- Oversee production scheduling and inventory management through ERP systems to ensure alignment with customer demand.
- Lead facility-wide safety programs, ensuring compliance with EHS standards and driving root cause analysis for all incidents.
- Manage the plant P&L, focusing on budget control, operational expenses, and gross margin improvement.
- Implement Lean Manufacturing methodologies, including 6S and Kaizen programs, to streamline workflows and reduce costs.
- Mentor and develop supervisory staff and production personnel to build a high-performing, skilled workforce.
- Coordinate facility projects and equipment installations, managing contractor resources to ensure timely project completion.
Qualifications
Required Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical field or equivalent professional experience.
- 5+ years of leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
- Proven track record of managing P&L and operational budgets.
- Expertise in Lean Manufacturing principles and process improvement.
- Strong proficiency in ERP/MRP systems and data analysis tools.
Preferred Skills:
- Direct experience in metal stamping or fabrication environments.
- Familiarity with ISO 9001:2015 quality management systems.
- OSHA 10 or 30-hour safety certification.
- Experience managing complex facility layouts and equipment upgrades.
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Find JobsManufacturing Operations Manager Job Market
A snapshot from current openings nationwide, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Amazon60
- Apple45
- Jobot37
- Stellantis26
- Cleveland-Cliffs22
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing450
- Electronics & Hardware235
- Chemicals & Materials228
- Automotive167
- Food & Beverage159
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in manufacturing operations manager jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, industrial management, or a related technical field
- 5 or more years of progressive experience in a manufacturing or production environment
- Demonstrated proficiency with Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies
- Experience managing hourly production workforces of 50 or more employees
- Familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or equivalent manufacturing software
- Working knowledge of OSHA regulations, environmental compliance, and plant safety programs
Tips for Your Manufacturing Operations Manager Job Search
Quantify throughput and efficiency gains
Hiring managers in manufacturing want to see numbers. Replace vague language like 'improved output' with specific results: line efficiency percentages, scrap reduction, cycle time cuts, or units per shift. Boards and plant directors read dozens of resumes and skip anything without proof of impact.
List certifications before soft skills
Lean Six Sigma belts, APICS credentials, and ISO 9001 auditor certifications are screened by applicant tracking systems before a human sees your resume. Put them in a dedicated credentials line near the top, not buried in a paragraph at the bottom.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists manufacturing operations manager openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target openings by production environment
A discrete manufacturing background does not always translate cleanly to process or batch environments. Filter your search by facility type and read job descriptions carefully for terms like 'high-mix low-volume', 'continuous flow', or 'batch processing' to confirm your experience fits before you apply.
Prepare for a plant walk during interviews
Many manufacturing operations manager interviews include a facility tour where the hiring manager watches how you observe and react. Practice narrating what you notice: safety hazards, bottlenecks, 5S compliance gaps. Demonstrating situational awareness on the floor often carries more weight than a final panel interview.
Negotiate total compensation beyond base pay
Manufacturing operations roles frequently include shift differentials, production bonuses, and relocation packages that are negotiable separately from base pay. Ask specifically about each component and get the bonus structure in writing, since plant performance metrics that trigger payouts vary significantly by company.
Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most manufacturing operations managers?
The companies hiring the most manufacturing operations managers right now include Amazon, Apple, and Jobot, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and Ohio, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Demand is especially active in automotive assembly, food processing, and industrial equipment manufacturing.
How many manufacturing operations manager jobs are remote?
About 3% of manufacturing operations manager openings are fully remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most plant-based roles. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements include corporate operations strategy, multi-site continuous improvement, and supply chain coordination roles that do not require daily floor presence.
How do you become a manufacturing operations manager?
Start in a production supervisor or process engineer role to build direct floor experience, then pursue a Lean or Six Sigma credential to demonstrate continuous improvement competency. Move into shift manager or operations lead positions to gain P&L exposure and workforce responsibility. A bachelor's degree in engineering or industrial management strengthens your candidacy, and an MBA can accelerate advancement to multi-site or plant director roles.
Can you get hired as a manufacturing operations manager without direct management experience?
It is possible if you can demonstrate indirect leadership, such as leading cross-functional Kaizen events, coordinating production teams during a supervisor's absence, or managing contract and temporary workers on a project basis. Employers in smaller facilities or high-growth manufacturers are more open to candidates who show strong technical foundations and measurable continuous improvement results even without a formal management title.
What does the manufacturing operations manager interview process look like?
The process typically begins with a recruiter or HR screening call focused on experience level and facility type. A hiring manager interview follows, often including situational and behavioral questions around safety incidents, production downtime, and team conflict. Many companies add a plant walk or site visit where your observational instincts are assessed. Final rounds frequently include a panel with engineering, HR, and finance stakeholders, and some employers require a short operational improvement presentation.
Where can I find and apply to manufacturing operations manager jobs?
You can find and apply to manufacturing operations manager jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your background and apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 2,132+ Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any manufacturing operations manager role that fits.
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