Operations Manager

Operations Manager

Kelco Industries is a market leader in cost-effective, high performance, custom engineered components for a wide variety of industries. We invest in the latest technologies and top talent, and because we are privately held, we answer only to our customers so we can make fast decisions that move our business and our customers forward. Kelco is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. We further are committed to considering all qualified individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodation as needed throughout the hiring process. Kelco offers a competitive benefits package, including Health, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life insurance.

The Operations Manager is responsible for leading and improving the performance of our manufacturing plant with multiple product divisions by providing leadership across all plant operations with a strong emphasis on Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, accountability, and team development. Responsibilities include improving safety, quality, delivery, productivity, labor efficiency, and customer responsiveness while helping to build a culture of ownership and problem solving throughout Kelco.

Job Summary Essential Functions

• Safety: Promote a strong culture of safety and ensure compliance with Kelco safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Reinforce safe behaviors, addressing hazards, and supporting corrective actions as needed.
• Partner with respective teams to investigate incidents, identify root causes, and implement preventive safety measures.

Operational Leadership:

• Lead plant operations across multiple product divisions to support safe, efficient, and reliable performance.
• Provide direction to leaders to ensure alignment of staffing needs, quality expectations, and customer requirements.
• Promotes a culture of concierge customer service to both internal and external customers ensuring that commitments are proactively communicated.
• Balances resources across divisions and help resolve operational constraints and workflow issues.
• Maintain a visible presence on the plant floor to reinforce expectations, support leaders, and remove barriers to performance.

Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement

• Promotes Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement across Kelco.
• Drive improvements in flow, labor utilization, material movement, standard work, visual management, and daily accountability.
• Uses visual management to engage the entire team in driving daily improvements in safety, quality, and delivery.
• Lead Lean initiatives such as 5S, Kaizen, root cause problem solving, Gemba walks, and daily management systems.
• Use data and direct observation to identify waste, recurring issues, and opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and responsiveness.
• Build problem-solving capability and accountability within the plant leaders.

Leadership & Performance Management

• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors and team leads to improve leadership effectiveness, communication, and accountability.
• Establish and monitor key plant metrics such as safety, output, schedule attainment, labor efficiency, scrap, downtime, overtime, and on-time delivery.
• Ensure production boards, KPI tracking, and visual management tools are used effectively to manage performance and escalate issues.
• Leads team in developing plans for future changes in demand and new business.
• Support hiring, onboarding, performance management, and employee development in partnership with HR and Leadership.

Quality & Business Performance

• Reinforce consistent execution of quality standards, work instructions, and customer requirements.
• Support plant performance goals through improved productivity, waste reduction, stronger execution, and effective use of plant resources.
• Monitor operational results and drive improvements in quality, delivery, labor efficiency, scrap, downtime, and overall plant performance.

Core Competencies

• Safety Leadership Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety, including the ability to identify hazards, reinforce safe work practices, and support corrective actions to maintain a safe and compliant operation.
• Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement Strong understanding of Lean principles and the ability to drive waste reduction, standard work, visual management, root cause problem-solving, and process improvement across plant operations in a high mix/low volume and job shop environment.
• Operational Leadership Ability to lead multiple functions, prioritize plant needs, coordinate resources, and drive execution across a multi-product manufacturing environment.
• Quality & Systems Knowledge Working knowledge of quality systems, environmental/operational policies, and manufacturing procedures, with the ability to reinforce compliance and support continuous improvement in quality performance.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills Ability to analyze data, identify trends, determine root causes, and implement practical solutions to improve performance, efficiency, and reliability.
• Accountability & Execution Takes ownership of results, follows through on commitments, and holds self and others accountable for meeting operational goals and performance expectations.
• Leadership & Team Development Ability to motivate, coach, and develop supervisors, leads, and employees while building a culture of ownership, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Communication & Influence Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate expectations clearly, collaborate across departments, and influence positive change at all levels of the organization.
• Technical & Systems Proficiency Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and experienced with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing reporting tools; ability to use data, reports, and systems to support operational decision-making.
• Adaptability & Initiative Flexible, dependable, and proactive in responding to changing priorities, solving problems, and driving improvements in a hands-on manufacturing environment.

Education / Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred; equivalent manufacturing leadership experience will be considered.
• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing experience, including at least 35 years in a leadership role with responsibility for plant, production, or multi-department operations.
• Experience leading operations in a manufacturing environment with multiple product lines, departments, or divisions preferred along with developing leaders and team members.
• Demonstrated success driving Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational performance in a high-mix/low-volume manufacturing setting.
• Strong understanding of production flow, labor planning, quality systems, inventory/material flow, and plant performance metrics.
• Experience using ERP/MRP systems, Microsoft Excel, and production or operational reporting tools.

The pay range for this role is: 89k+ USD per year (Woodstock, IL)