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.
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Position Overview
Camellia is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead and help build our growing Wiring Harness & Cable Assembly manufacturing operation in Irvine, California. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who has actually operated in a wiring harness or cable assembly environment and understands what a well-run facility looks like.
The ideal candidate understands cable processing, high-mix / low-volume cellular manufacturing, Lean principles, operator development, quality standards, and disciplined ERP execution. We are looking for a leader who can build scalable systems, develop people, improve flow, and create a manufacturing operation that performs above the standard.
What You'll Own
· Lead daily wiring harness and cable assembly production across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Productivity.
· Manage and develop production supervisors, line leads, and operators while establishing clear accountability and performance expectations.
· Build and continuously improve high-mix, low-volume manufacturing cells using Lean principles, standardized work, 5S, visual management, flow, and waste elimination.
· Drive production execution, labor planning, cell balancing, capacity, material flow, and on-time delivery.
· Provide hands-on leadership across cable processing including cutting, stripping, crimping, terminating, sealing, routing, labeling, testing, and final assembly.
· Build structured operator training, certification, cross-training, and skill-matrix systems.
· Ensure compliance with workmanship and quality requirements, including IPC/WHMA-A-620 where applicable.
· Establish disciplined use of ERP/MRP systems, including work orders, material transactions, production reporting, inventory consumption, and job completion.
· Partner with Engineering and Quality on NPI, DFM/DFA, process improvements, tooling, production readiness, and quality improvements.
· Drive measurable improvements in first-pass yield, labor efficiency, throughput, lead time, WIP, scrap, rework, and on-time delivery.
Lean & Cellular Manufacturing
· Apply Lean manufacturing principles to improve safety, quality, flow, productivity, and cost.
· Design and continuously improve low-volume, high-mix manufacturing cells appropriate for wiring harness and cable assembly production.
· Use takt time, cycle time, labor content, capacity, and demand to determine staffing and cell configuration.
· Develop cross-training and flexible staffing systems that allow labor to move effectively between products and cells.
· Eliminate waste related to motion, waiting, WIP, defects, overproduction, and inefficient material flow.
· Use visual management and daily accountability to sustain performance and continuous improvement.
What We're Looking For
· 7+ years of manufacturing experience with direct wiring harness or cable assembly production experience.
· 3+ years leading manufacturing supervisors, leads, and production operators.
· Demonstrated experience with high-mix, low-volume cellular manufacturing.
· Strong practical knowledge of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
· Hands-on understanding of wire processing equipment, crimping, tooling, assembly, and testing.
· Experience building operator training, certification, and production systems.
· Strong understanding of ERP/MRP logic and manufacturing work-order processes.
· IPC/WHMA-A-620 knowledge strongly preferred.
· Experience with NPI and production ramp-up preferred.
Is This Right for You?
We're looking for a builder, not a caretaker - someone who knows what an excellent wiring harness operation looks like, understands how Lean principles apply in a high-mix, low-volume cellular environment, takes initiative, develops people, builds better systems, and is motivated to create a manufacturing operation that performs above the standard.
Compensation & Benefits
· Competitive compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications
· Annual Performance Bonus
· Medical, Dental & Vision
· 401(k) with Company Match
· Paid Time Off (PTO)
· Professional Development & Career Advancement Opportunities
Pay: $60,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
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Find JobsManufacturing Operations Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Manufacturing Operations Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware
- Technology & Software
- Telecommunications
- Aerospace & Defense
- Staffing & Recruiting
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 Northrop Grumman, Nokia, and SpaceX, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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?
San Diego, San Jose, and Sunnyvale 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 13% of manufacturing operations manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 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.
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