Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs in California

Manufacturing Operations Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense, food and beverage processing, semiconductors, and medical devices, with demand at every level from junior plant supervisor through senior director of operations. The highest volume of openings is in Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Diego, where companies like Northrop Grumman, Abbott, and Dole Food Company maintain large manufacturing footprints. Lean manufacturing, supply chain optimization, and EHS compliance are the specialties California employers prioritize most consistently. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Jobs

Overview

Open roles44
Top employerGoogle
Top citySunnyvale, CA
Cities hiring25
Work type78% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 44+ Manufacturing Operations Manager jobs

Northrop Grumman
Manager Manufacturing Operations 3
We won't show you this job again
Northrop Grumman
Added 4d ago
Manager Manufacturing Operations 3
Northrop Grumman
Sunnyvale, California
Compliance & Risk
Health & Safety
Human Resources
$160k - $239k/yr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

AMRO a Division of Karman Space & Defense
Director of Operations and Manufacturing Strategy
We won't show you this job again
AMRO a Division of Karman Space & Defense
Added 4d ago
Director of Operations and Manufacturing Strategy
AMRO a Division of Karman Space & Defense
Huntington Beach, California
Account Management
Customer Service
Customer Service & Support
Sales
$200k - $250k/yr
Master's degree in business administration
201-500

Have you applied for this role?

Karman Space & Defense
Director of Operations and Manufacturing Strategy
We won't show you this job again
Karman Space & Defense
Added 4d ago
Director of Operations and Manufacturing Strategy
Karman Space & Defense
Huntington Beach, California
Account Management
Customer Service
Customer Service & Support
Sales
$200k - $250k/yr
Master's degree in business administration
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Grainger
Director, Manufacturing Operations
We won't show you this job again
Grainger
Added 4d ago
Director, Manufacturing Operations
Grainger
Santa Ana, California
Human Resources
Human Resources (HR) — Generalist
Learning & Development
Recruiting & Talent Acquisition
$149k - $248k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

L
Manufacturing Operations Manager
We won't show you this job again
L
Added 4d ago
Manufacturing Operations Manager
Lotus Pet Food, Inc.
Torrance, California
Compliance & Risk
Health & Safety
Human Resources
$120k - $130k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in engineering

Have you applied for this role?

See All 44 Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Jobs

Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Sunnyvale
7 jobs
San Jose
4 jobs
San Diego
3 jobs
Los Angeles
3 jobs
Corona
2 jobs
Fremont
2 jobs
Hawthorne
2 jobs
Foster City
2 jobs
San Francisco
2 jobs

Manufacturing Operations Manager Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Google
Google5 open roles
SpaceX
SpaceX2 open roles
Divergent
Divergent2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software
  • Electronics & Hardware
  • Distribution & Wholesale
  • Waste Management & Environmental Services

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in manufacturing operations manager jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, operations management, or a related technical field
  • Five or more years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a California-regulated industry
  • Demonstrated proficiency with Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen continuous improvement methodologies
  • Experience managing compliance with California OSHA Title 8 safety regulations and environmental standards
  • Hands-on background with ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle in a production environment
  • Strong record leading cross-functional teams across production, quality, and supply chain functions

Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a manufacturing operations manager in California?

Most manufacturing operations managers in California follow a path that starts with a bachelor's degree in engineering, operations management, or a related field, then progresses through floor-level roles such as production supervisor or quality engineer. California does not require a state-issued license for this role, but employers in regulated industries like aerospace or food processing expect familiarity with California OSHA Title 8 and relevant FDA or EPA compliance frameworks. A Lean or Six Sigma certification strengthens candidacy considerably.

How much do manufacturing operations managers make in California?

Manufacturing operations managers in California earn a median of about $132,620 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $80,950 for the lowest 10% to over $222,020 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire manufacturing operations managers in California?

Employers hiring manufacturing operations managers in California right now include Google, SpaceX, and Divergent, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's mix of aerospace primes, food processing giants, medical device firms, and semiconductor manufacturers means openings are distributed across a wide range of industries with varying shift structures and compliance requirements.

Which California cities have the most manufacturing operations manager jobs?

Sunnyvale, San Jose, and San Diego have the most manufacturing operations manager openings in California. Los Angeles anchors demand through aerospace and defense contractors and consumer goods producers, San Jose reflects the semiconductor and electronics manufacturing base of Silicon Valley, and San Diego draws heavily from its medical device and biotech manufacturing sector, which includes a concentration of FDA-regulated production facilities.

Are there remote manufacturing operations manager jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Manufacturing operations management is fundamentally an on-site discipline tied to production lines, equipment, and facility compliance, so fully remote roles are uncommon. About 22% of manufacturing operations manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in corporate functions like multi-site operations strategy or process engineering support rather than direct plant management.

How can I get hired as a manufacturing operations manager in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a production supervisor or manufacturing engineer role at a large California facility, where structured development programs exist. Companies like Northrop Grumman, Abbott, and Procter and Gamble's California operations run rotational or leadership development programs that move high-performing associates into operations management. A California community college certificate in industrial technology or supply chain, combined with California OSHA 10 or 30 training, gives entry-level candidates a concrete edge when applying to regulated manufacturers.

Where can I find and apply to manufacturing operations manager jobs in California?

You can find and apply to manufacturing operations manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries including aerospace, food processing, medical devices, and electronics. Find roles that match your experience level and location, then apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 44 Manufacturing Operations Manager Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Jobs