Operations & Production Manager

Job DescriptionJob Description

Job Summary:

We are seeking a skilled, principled, and people-focused Operations & Production Manager to lead and coordinate the day-to-day activities of our 24/7 solar panel manufacturing facility. Reporting to the VP of Production & Operations, this role is responsible for overseeing production performance, fostering team engagement, driving safety and quality standards, and ensuring consistency in policy enforcement and communication.

This role also requires close collaboration with cross-functional departments including Human Resources, HSE/Safety, Facilities, Sales, Logistics, and Warehouse Operations to create a structured, fair, and high-performing workplace.

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Key Responsibilities:

Production & Operational Oversight

• Manage daily operations of production and warehouse areas across multiple shifts in a 24/7 environment.

• Drive performance against key metrics such as OEE, throughput, scrap rate, and on-time delivery.

• Maintain staffing, equipment, and material readiness to meet production goals.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Logistics to coordinate material flow, shipping schedules, and inventory alignment.

• Partner with Human Resources to support employee programs, policy implementation, and corrective action procedures.

• Collaborate with HSE/Safety to uphold a safe work environment and lead corrective actions for incidents.

• Coordinate with Facilities to ensure the physical plant supports optimal manufacturing conditions.

• Align with Sales and Planning to match production output with customer demand and order timelines.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead a team of Team Leads and front-line operators in both production and warehouse operations.

• Ensure fair and consistent enforcement of policies, including overtime allocation, performance management, and recognition.

• Promote a respectful, inclusive workplace culture across all shifts and departments.

• Identify training needs and work with HR and Team Leads to implement onboarding, cross-training, and development plans.

Communication & Engagement

• Maintain consistent communication with all levels of staff, especially Team Leads, to cascade updates on safety, goals, expectations, and changes.

• Conduct regular shift meetings and staff check-ins to gather feedback and reinforce alignment.

• Promote transparency and active listening across the plant.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, or other process improvement initiatives to optimize performance and reduce waste.

• Engage teams in identifying bottlenecks and implementing corrective actions.

• Support kaizen events, 5S initiatives, and other operational excellence activities.

Strategic Reporting & Support

• Provide regular operational updates to the VP of Production & Operations.

• Collaborate on the development and implementation of consistent, scalable structures for managing performance, communication, and process flow.

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Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations, or a related field.

• 5+ years of leadership experience in high-volume manufacturing, preferably in a 24/7 environment.

• Proven experience working with multicultural, entry-level teams and ensuring fairness, integrity, and accountability.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, especially across departments and shifts.

• Experience collaborating with Logistics, Warehouse, HR, Safety, Facilities, and Sales.

• Proficiency in ERP/MES systems and manufacturing analytics.

• Working knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.

• Bilingual: English plus either Spanish or Chinese

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Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Operations, Engineering, or Business.

• Certifications in Six Sigma, Lean, or Project Management (e.g., PMP).

• Experience in solar, electronics, or clean energy manufacturing.

• Multilingual skills are a plus.

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Work Environment:

• On-site position requiring regular presence on the production floor.

• Flexibility to support all shifts, including weekends and holidays, as needed.

• Ability to stand, walk, and lift up to 50 lbs.