Albany Engineered Composites (AEC) designs, develops, and manufactures advanced composite components in order to help our customers push the frontiers of innovation. Our core strength is our ability to produce highly tailored, complex composite components. With our unique blend of products – including 3D woven structures, traditional and non-traditional 2D composite structures, and discrete through thickness reinforcement technologies, to name a few – AEC is able to produce composite components and products which meet performance and cost specifications often beyond the reach of metallic or conventional laminated composites.
Job Purpose
The Operations Manager oversees all aspects of production planning, manufacturing operations, and product shipment to ensure a safe, efficient, and customer‑focused environment. This role drives operational excellence and continuous improvement across assigned production areas or value streams. The Operations Manager leads and develops employees, ensures high performance through lean practices, and achieves KPI goals.
In performing their respective tasks and duties, all employees are expected to adhere to Albany’s current values: Albany Wins Together, Count on Each Other, Own Your Actions, Care About Each Other, and Share Your Enthusiasm. Safety must always come first; we never compromise on safety for the sake of achieving another objective. Employees are also responsible for the health and safety of themselves and each other.
Key Responsibilities
Safety Leadership
- Champion a culture where safety is the highest priority.
- Ensure compliance with all company safety programs, OSHA requirements, audits, hazard identification, and safe work practices.
- Maintain a safe work environment for all employees.
Operational Execution
- Direct day‑to‑day production activities to meet operational KPI goals.
- Execute production plans, ensuring timely delivery of products to customers.
- Manage labor, equipment, material resources, and staffing levels for efficient operations.
- Drive adherence to cycle times, standard work, uptime targets, and productivity goals.
Leadership & Talent Development
- Lead, coach, and develop direct and indirect employees.
- Oversee staffing, hiring, performance management, and succession planning in accordance with HR policies.
- Promote high employee engagement, cross‑training, capability building, and elimination of single‑point failures.
Continuous Improvement & Lean Implementation
- Implement and drive lean manufacturing methods including 5S, visual management, value stream mapping, and root cause analysis.
- Identify and implement process improvements in partnership with Engineering, CI, Quality, and Program Management.
- Champion TPM activities, process audits, and operational documentation (FMEA, control plans, standard work).
Customer Focus & Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Ensure all customer requirements are met through effective planning and execution.
- Interface with customers as needed to support program or production objectives.
- Collaborate closely with Engineering, Planning, Quality, Program Management, Customer Operations, HR, and other support functions.
Financial & Performance Management
- Achieve business plan performance and production budget targets.
- Maintain accurate ERP/SAP transactions, time charging, and labor usage.
- Monitor KPIs and lead regular tier meetings focused on SQDCT performance.
Strategic & New Product Introduction Support
- Support or lead new product and process launches, ensuring readiness, documentation, and scheduled execution within budget.
- Develop and maintain capacity models for assigned processes or areas.
Collaboration and On-Site Presence
- Frequent ad hoc meetings to troubleshoot and identify solutions
- On-demand availability to strategize with cross-functional teams
Qualifications
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Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Industrial Management, or related field preferred; Or experience + active enrollment in a degree program.
- 5+ years of relevant manufacturing or operations management experience; higher experience preferred.
- Lean or Six Sigma training preferred; experience may substitute for education.
Skills & Abilities
- Strong leadership, communication, and coaching skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and ERP systems.
- Ability to read engineering drawings and understand manufacturing documentation.
- Strong problem‑solving and critical thinking skills.
- Highly organized with ability to prioritize, make decisions, and manage multiple tasks.
- Strong customer focus and collaborative work style.
Working Conditions
- Indoor manufacturing environment with stable temperatures and moderate noise.
- Exposure to machinery and production areas requiring appropriate PPE.
- Must be available for extended hours or modified schedules based on business needs.
- May require occasional travel.
Physical Requirements
- Standing and walking up to approximately 75% of workday
- Sitting, bending, twisting, leaning up to approximately 25% of workday
- Reaching and overhead reaching for parts, materials, tools and equipment
- Gripping, grasping, pinching and manipulating of parts and tools frequently
- Visual inspection of materials and part variations frequently or as required
- Differentiate materials, components, marking or variations as required
- Occasional lifting of materials up to 35 lbs
- May be required to pass an eye exam.
- Safely respond to and support alarms, evacuations, spills, injuries or other injuries as trained and required.
Employment Requirements
- For AEC Department of Defense facilities, it is a requirement to hire U.S. Persons. Visa sponsorship is not offered.
- For commercial facilities, non-US persons may be eligible.
This position is open to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or other protected status. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities