Senior Manager of Manufacturing Operations

Description

Position: Senior Manager, Operations

Location: Uxbridge, MA

Reporting To: Vice President, Operations

Annual base salary: $130,000 - $160,000 (Compensation is an estimate and may vary based on factors including geographic location, relevant experience, education, skills, and qualifications)

Job Summary: The Senior Manager, Operations is a hands-on leader responsible for the daily execution and performance of manufacturing and logistics operations, with direct accountability for production output, efficiency, and on-time delivery.

Accountable for results across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Inventory, and People (SQDCIP), this role directly manages production and logistics leaders and drives daily execution by setting priorities, adjusting labor and resources to meet production demands, resolving operational issues, and ensuring customer commitments are achieved.

As a key member of the Operations leadership team, the Senior Manager drives operational discipline and accountability, develops frontline leaders, and champions continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen productivity, manufacturing performance, and overall operational effectiveness.

About you: You are an experienced operations leader who enjoys being hands-on, visible, and actively involved in the day-to-day business. You are comfortable moving between the production floor and leadership discussions, working closely with teams to understand challenges, remove barriers, and drive results across safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and productivity.

You lead from the front and build credibility by staying connected to the work, asking thoughtful questions, and partnering with employees and leaders to solve problems. You use data, sound judgment, and Lean principles to set priorities, strengthen operational discipline, and turn business goals into practical actions that deliver measurable and sustainable improvements.

As a senior-level manager, you balance strategic thinking with a willingness to roll up your sleeves and support execution when needed. You develop capable leaders, hold teams accountable, and create an environment where people feel empowered to contribute ideas and improve how work gets done. Above all, you bring integrity, ownership, approachability, and a genuine commitment to operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and team success.

 A day in the life:

Leadership & People Development

• Provide hands-on leadership to Production and Logistics supervisors, maintain a visible presence in daily operations, coach and develop frontline leaders, and proactively remove barriers to safety, quality, productivity, and delivery.
• Set clear expectations, review performance, and hold leaders and teams accountable for results while fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, continuous improvement, and high performance
• Build organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, workforce planning, and leadership development while modeling Lenze Leadership Principles

Operational Leadership

• Direct daily manufacturing and logistics operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and productivity goals, maintaining a regular production-floor presence to identify issues and drive timely resolution
• Manage capacity and labor planning to support production requirements and customer commitments, while implementing Lean manufacturing into daily operations and standard work.
• Provide the Vice President, Operations with clear recommendations on operational priorities, risks, resource needs, and opportunities to improve performance.
• Oversee warehousing, inventory management, material flow, shipping, and logistics operations, working closely with supervisors to resolve service issues, material constraints, and workflow disruptions.
• Drive improvements in inventory accuracy, working capital, on-time delivery, and logistics efficiency through disciplined processes, performance monitoring, and corrective action. 
• Ensure compliance with trade, import/export, transportation, and internal control requirements, maintaining consistent processes and documentation.

Financial Management

• Own operational budgets, forecasts, labor planning, and manufacturing costs, proactively identifying variances, managing cost drivers, and implementing corrective actions to achieve financial and operational targets.
• Lead productivity, cost reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives that deliver measurable savings, improve operational performance, and sustain long-term results.
• Develop and prioritize capital investment recommendations, build the business case for proposed investments, and oversee approved projects to ensure expected operational and financial outcomes are achieved.

Continuous Improvement & Performance Management

• Lead KPI reviews and daily management systems, using data and direct observation to prioritize actions and improve performance
• Facilitate structured problem solving and continuous improvement with managers, supervisors, and frontline teams
• Establish clear standard work, process discipline, and follow-up routines that sustain operational gains

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales, Finance, and Customer Service to resolve operational issues and achieve business objectives
• Lead operational readiness for new products, customer requirements, strategic projects, and growth initiatives
• Collaborate with local and global stakeholders to align processes, share best practices, manage risk, and support digital manufacturing and transformation programs

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Championing a safety-first culture through visible leadership, regular floor engagement, and prompt follow-up on hazards and corrective actions
• Ensure compliance with EHS, quality, regulatory, and customer requirements while driving improvement in safety and quality performance
• Support ISO standards, audit readiness, sustainability initiatives, and business continuity planning

Requirements

 Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field required
• 10+ years of manufacturing operations experience within industrial automation or a related technical manufacturing industry, such as motion control, industrial machinery, robotics, electrical equipment, or engineered components, is required. 
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience with direct reports in manufacturing, operations, or logistics, with demonstrated success driving operational performance and leading organizational change, is required. 
• 3+ years of experience in a hands-on Production Supervisor role is required, with direct accountability for production output, workforce performance, and achievement of safety, quality, and delivery objectives. Experience must include directly or indirectly leading frontline production teams of 50+ employees. 
• 3+ years of experience leading supervisors and/or managers within a multi-level manufacturing or operations organization, with demonstrated success developing leaders, driving accountability, and building high-performing teams, is highly preferred.
• Proven experience driving operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and productivity metrics.
• Strong understanding of logistics operations and their integration with manufacturing, including inventory management, material flow, warehousing, shipping, and on-time delivery is required
• Demonstrated financial acumen, including responsibility for operating budgets, labor planning, productivity initiatives, and operational KPIs
• Hands-on experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Operational Excellence initiatives with measurable business results.
• Experience in a complex assembly manufacturing environment is strongly preferred over highly automated assembly operations. 
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt preferred
• Experience working with ERP systems, preferably SAP; familiarity with MES, operational analytics, and Power BI strongly preferred
• Knowledge of Industry 4.0, automation, digital manufacturing, and data-driven decision-making practices is a plus
• Experience participating in Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), capacity planning, and operational readiness activities is a must
• Strong understanding of manufacturing quality systems, EHS programs, regulatory compliance, and risk management practices
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization and within cross-functional teams.
• Experience working in a global, matrixed organization and partnering with international stakeholders preferred
• Results-oriented leader with a strong sense of ownership, a continuous improvement mindset, and a passion for developing people and driving business performance
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, including occasional overnight travel, only as needed to support business operations, customer engagements, leadership meetings, and global collaboration (less than 5%)

Perks of being part of our team:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical Insurance – multiple plan options
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Dental Insurance
• FSA, HSA options
• Vision Insurance
• 401k with company match, fully vested
• Paid Time Off
• 10 company paid holidays
• Company paid disability & AD&D insurance
• 100% paid parental leave after one year of service
• Supplemental insurance plans (Identity theft, cyber protection, additional life, etc.)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Many of our positions offer flexible schedules to meet your needs
• Relaxed business casual environment
• Sit/Stand desks for onsite office positions
• Frequent team building activities
• Career development opportunities

About us: Lenze is a global manufacturer of electrical and mechanical drives, motion control and automation technology - offering products, drive solutions, complete automation systems, and engineering services and tools from one single source. Our products can be found in many industries, including automotive, packaging, material handling and logistics, robotics, and industrial equipment (pumps/fans).

A global network of distributors and representatives makes Lenze Americas perfectly positioned to meet the motion control needs of customers worldwide. Lenze Americas, the American subsidiary of Lenze SE of Germany, is headquartered in Uxbridge, Massachusetts; corporate global headquarters are in Hamelin, Germany.

Our culture: We’re powered by people. Our culture is built on collaboration, innovation, and respect—where every voice matters and every idea has the potential to shape the future. We believe in balance, supporting our team with the flexibility and resources they need to thrive both professionally and personally.

Lenze is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.