Manager, Operations

About the role

At A-dec, we do more than create the highest quality products and services for the dental industry; we strive to deliver a superior employment experience for each of our team members. With an environment that encourages and assists each person in developing to their highest potential, a career at A-dec is incredibly rewarding.

Overview

The Operations Manager is responsible for the effective execution and oversight of operations within an assigned area, which may include assembly, machining, warehousing, shipping or related functions. This role emphasizes operational excellence through strong leadership, lean manufacturing principles, and a focus on developing high-performing teams. The Operations Manager champions a people-first culture and serves as a key liaison between their teams and other areas, such as Engineering, People & Culture (P&C), Planning, Purchasing, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), and Senior Leadership.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversees daily manufacturing operations across defined areas and shifts to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and output goals.
• Ensures timely execution of production schedules, tracks key performance indicators (KPIs), and supports department supervisors in resolving systemic operational issues.
• Builds, coaches, and inspires collaborative, high-performing teams in an inclusive work environment.
• Partners with P&C on employee relations, including performance management, conflict resolution, and workforce planning. Promotes employee engagement, inclusion, and communication while maintaining an empathetic, people-focused culture.
• Champions a safety-first mindset. Collaborates with P&C and EHS to proactively address safety issues and ensure compliance with OSHA, FDA, and ISO standards.
• Leads incident investigations and implements corrective and preventive actions to improve safety performance.
• Collaborates with Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to resolve production-related issues and support product launches.
• Provides individual and departmental performance feedback and operational insights to support process optimization and long-term planning.
• Evaluates and recommends equipment, process changes, and workforce strategies to support scalability and readiness for new product introductions and manufacturing transitions.
• Sets operational strategies that align capacity with business goals. Translates corporate objectives into actionable manufacturing plans and performance benchmarks.
• Works with leaders to develop and execute a long-term plan to support new product introduction, production increases, and process optimization to align with corporate business objectives.
• Leads departmental budget planning, capital expenditure proposals, and resource optimization within the assigned area.
• Leads and supports with an operational excellence mindset and process improvement focus within the team through the application of sound operating principles, problem solving skills, lean manufacturing methodologies and leadership best practices.
• Monitors department budgets, identifies cost-saving opportunities, and reports financial performance to senior leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills.
• Proficient understanding of manufacturing operations, quality systems, and safety regulations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, enforce accountability, and build a high-performance culture.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office products.
• Able to use production reports and performance dashboards.
• Able to use data analysis and production planning tools.
• Flexibility to support early, late, or weekend shifts as needed.

Education and Experience

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in manufacturing, including 2+ years managing teams.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and manufacturing data tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in manufacturing, operations, engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in Lean Manufacturing environments.
• Certification in Six Sigma, Lean, or related continuous improvement methodology.
• Familiarity with manufacturing execution systems (MES) or digital manufacturing technologies.

Physical Requirements

Ability to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise maneuver up to 35 pounds with or without assistance on a routine basis. Must have manual hand dexterity to grasp, operate tools and equipment repetitively. Able to walk, stand, sit, bend, reach, and occasionally kneel, climb steps, and twist throughout an entire shift. Some areas may be exposed to chemicals, noise, vibration and /or dust, and require the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); such as, but not limited to safety glasses, hearing protection, foot protection, etc.