Manufacturing & Operations Manager

Our client is a privately held, growing company seeking a hands-on Manufacturing & Operations Manager to lead a critical area of its business.

This position will oversee a combination of production, kitting, assembly, inventory, scheduling, packaging, and order fulfillment operations.

We are particularly interested in operations leaders who have worked in environments involving high volumes of smaller products or components, such as consumables, diagnostic products, medical products, packaged goods, small-component assembly, contract manufacturing, or similar operations.

The company already has experienced managers, supervisors, team leads, and inventory/planning personnel in place. The new leader will evaluate the current operation, develop the team, improve processes, and implement changes where needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day manufacturing, kitting, assembly, and fulfillment operations
• Oversee receiving, raw materials, finished goods inventory, and replenishment
• Manage production scheduling and workflow to meet customer demand
• Oversee assembly, packaging, repackaging, and kitting activities
• Improve productivity, throughput, inventory accuracy, and on-time delivery
• Ensure accurate and timely shipping and order fulfillment
• Partner with Quality to maintain appropriate processes and controls
• Lead, coach, and develop managers, supervisors, and operations personnel
• Evaluate workflow, staffing, equipment, and organizational structure and recommend improvements
• Utilize ERP systems and operational data to improve planning and decision-making
• Work closely with Sales, Quality, Finance, and other departments to support customer requirements and company growth

What We're Looking For

The strongest candidates will have experience leading hands-on manufacturing or operations in a small or mid-sized company.

Relevant backgrounds could include:

• High-volume, small-item manufacturing
• Consumable products
• Medical device or diagnostic products
• Healthcare or laboratory products
• Kitting and packaging operations
• Small-component assembly
• Contract manufacturing
• Consumer or industrial products involving repetitive assembly or packaging
• Distribution and fulfillment operations with a significant production component

Candidates should have demonstrated experience with several of the following:

• Production or manufacturing leadership
• Inventory management
• Production planning and scheduling
• Assembly, packaging, or kitting
• Warehouse and fulfillment operations
• ERP systems
• Process improvement
• Team leadership and development
• Operational metrics and reporting

Experience in a regulated environment is helpful but not required.

We are looking for someone who enjoys being close to the operation. This is not a role for someone who only manages through multiple layers of leadership. The successful candidate should be comfortable walking the floor, solving problems, working with employees and supervisors, and digging into operational issues when necessary.

This is not a remote or hybrid position. The position is based on-site in Aurora, Illinois, Monday through Friday.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is a highly visible position with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on an established but growing operation. The person hired will have the authority to improve processes, develop the existing team, strengthen systems, and help prepare the organization for continued growth.