Operations Manager

Role Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead daily production within a precision industrial plating and surface finishing environment. This role will oversee a hands-on team responsible for hard chrome plating, grinding, polishing, and related finishing processes.

The Operations Manager will drive performance across safety, quality, throughput, and profitability while ensuring compliance with environmental and industry regulations. The ideal candidate has experience in plating, machining, or industrial finishing operations and understands how to optimize workflows, manage production KPIs, and lead teams in a highly regulated manufacturing setting.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

• Lead and coordinate daily shop operations across plating, grinding, polishing, and finishing processes
• Schedule and balance workloads to meet customer deadlines and maximize throughput
• Oversee plating line operations, including tank usage, chemical processes, and cycle times
• Ensure strict adherence to environmental, health, and safety regulations (OSHA, EPA, local compliance)
• Direct, coach, and develop supervisors and shop personnel in a hands-on production environment
• Maintain and improve quality standards for precision coatings, thickness tolerances, and surface finishes
• Address production and quality issues proactively, implementing corrective and preventive actions
• Manage preventive maintenance programs for plating tanks, rectifiers, grinders, and shop equipment
• Partner with sales and customer service teams to align production capabilities with customer requirements
• Monitor and manage operating expenses, labor utilization, and material costs (chemicals, metals, consumables)
• Coordinate with vendors and suppliers for chemicals, equipment, and outside processing as needed
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives focused on process efficiency, waste reduction, and throughput
• Identify bottlenecks in plating cycles, finishing processes, and workflow to improve turnaround time
• Support workforce training, safety culture, and employee retention initiatives

Performance Metrics You’ll Own

• On-time delivery and turnaround time
• Production throughput and capacity utilization
• Labor efficiency and cost control
• Quality metrics (rework rates, coating defects, tolerance adherence)
• Safety compliance and environmental incident reduction
• Equipment uptime and maintenance effectiveness
• Team performance and retention

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in operations or production leadership within manufacturing, plating, machining, or industrial finishing environments
• Strong understanding of hard chrome plating, metal finishing, grinding, or similar surface treatment processes
• Knowledge of environmental and safety regulations related to plating operations (OSHA, EPA, hazardous materials handling)
• Experience managing production KPIs, labor efficiency, and cost controls in a shop environment
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, and tolerance requirements
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and production tracking tools
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing shop teams
• Hands-on, solution-oriented mindset with the ability to operate in a fast-paced production environment

Preferred Experience

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or heavy industrial components
• Background in precision coatings, surface finishing, or repair/refurbishment processes
• Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement experience (Kaizen, Six Sigma, etc.)