Manufacturing Operations Manager Duties and Responsibilities
A Manufacturing Operations Manager oversees the overall manufacturing
operation, including production, employees, equipment, safety, quality,
inventory, costs, and coordination between departments. The primary goal is to
ensure products are manufactured safely, efficiently, on time, within budget,
and according to quality standards.
Production and Operations Management
Plan, direct, and oversee daily manufacturing operations.
Develop production schedules based on customer orders, deadlines,
staffing, materials, and equipment availability.
Ensure production goals and delivery deadlines are met.
Monitor workflow, productivity, production capacity, and equipment
utilization.
Identify and resolve production delays, bottlenecks, and operational
problems.
Coordinate operations across multiple departments, production lines, or
shifts.
Adjust staffing, schedules, and resources according to changing production
demands.
Ensure standard operating procedures are followed.
Provide regular production and operations reports to senior management.
Employee Leadership and Supervision
Supervise production managers, supervisors, team leaders, and
manufacturing employees.
Establish performance expectations and departmental goals.
Recruit, train, coach, evaluate, and develop employees.
Monitor employee attendance, conduct, productivity, and work quality.
Approve work schedules, shift assignments, overtime, timecards, and
vacation requests.
Address employee performance or disciplinary issues according to
company policies.
Promote teamwork, accountability, and effective communication.
Ensure adequate staffing levels for each production shift.
Develop succession and cross-training plans for critical positions.
Safety and Regulatory Compliance
Maintain a safe, clean, and organized manufacturing environment.
Enforce safety policies and the proper use of personal protective
equipment (PPE).
Ensure employees are properly trained before operating machinery.
Conduct safety meetings, workplace inspections, and risk assessments.
Investigate workplace accidents, injuries, hazards, and near-miss incidents.
Develop corrective actions to prevent future incidents.
Ensure compliance with OSHA requirements and all applicable regulations.
Maintain required safety, training, inspection, and incident records.
Support environmental, sanitation, and industry-specific compliance
programs.
Quality Control
Ensure manufactured products meet customer requirements and company
specifications.
Work closely with quality-control personnel to prevent and resolve quality
problems.
Review product defects, rejected materials, rework, and customer
complaints.
Implement corrective and preventive actions.
Ensure inspection and testing procedures are properly followed.
Maintain accurate production and quality records.
Prepare departments for customer, regulatory, and internal audits.
Promote a culture of quality throughout the manufacturing operation.
Cost and Budget Management
Develop and manage manufacturing operating budgets.
Monitor labor, overtime, material, maintenance, and operating expenses.
Control manufacturing costs without compromising safety or product
quality.
Analyze production costs and recommend cost-saving measures.
Reduce waste, scrap, rework, downtime, and unnecessary expenses.
Review financial and operational performance reports.
Approve purchases and expenditures within assigned authority.
Help establish annual budgets, forecasts, and capital improvement plans.
Equipment and Maintenance Coordination
Ensure manufacturing equipment is properly maintained and available for
production.
Coordinate preventive maintenance and emergency repairs.
Monitor equipment downtime and identify recurring mechanical problems.
Work with maintenance teams to minimize production interruptions.
Evaluate the need for equipment repairs, replacements, or upgrades.
Ensure maintenance records and equipment inspections are completed.
Participate in decisions regarding new machinery, technology, and
automation.
Inventory and Supply Chain Coordination
Coordinate with purchasing, warehouse, and supply-chain departments.
Ensure raw materials and production supplies are available when needed.
Monitor inventory levels to prevent shortages and excessive inventory.
Address supplier delays and material-quality problems.
Improve the movement of materials through production and warehouse
areas.
Support accurate inventory counts and proper material handling.
Coordinate finished-product availability with shipping and customer
deadlines.
Continuous Improvement
Analyze operational data to identify improvement opportunities.
Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs).
Improve productivity, workflow, product quality, and equipment efficiency.
Lead continuous-improvement and cost-reduction projects.
Develop and update policies, procedures, work instructions, and SOPs.
Evaluate plant layouts, labor requirements, production methods, and
technology.
Standardize successful practices across departments and shifts.
Encourage employees to recommend operational improvements.
Departmental Coordination and Communication
Coordinate with production, quality, maintenance, warehouse, purchasing,
shipping, sales, human resources, and finance.
Conduct operations meetings with managers, supervisors, and department
leaders.
Communicate production priorities, operational changes, and customer
requirements.
Escalate serious safety, quality, staffing, equipment, or delivery problems.
Prepare reports and presentations for senior management.
Support strategic planning and long-term manufacturing objectives.
Key Performance Responsibilities
The Manufacturing Operations Manager is commonly responsible for results
involving:
Employee and workplace safety
Product quality and defect rates
Production output and efficiency
On-time completion and delivery
Labor and overtime expenses
Equipment uptime and maintenance
Material usage, waste, and scrap
Inventory accuracy
Budget performance
Employee attendance, training, and retention
Customer satisfaction
Regulatory compliance
The Manufacturing Operations Manager may perform additional responsibilities
assigned by senior management based on the company’s operational
requirements.
15+ years of experience required!
For more information please call 909 724 4600