Purpose
The Operations Specialist supports the Chief Operating Officer in coordinating organizational activities, implementing operational initiatives, and ensuring effective communication and collaboration between departments. This position works closely with Program Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, and other departments to monitor progress, support established processes, identify operational challenges, and help ensure company objectives are achieved.
The position is intended to develop a comprehensive understanding of company operations while building the leadership, strategic planning, and organizational management skills necessary for increased responsibilities.
Tasks
Program Management and Execution
- Work closely with Program Managers and support staff to monitor schedules, milestones, deliverables, and action items.
- Assist in identifying program risks, resource constraints, and obstacles affecting execution.
- Facilitate communication between Program Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, and supporting departments.
- Help ensure program teams follow established procedures, documentation requirements, and approval processes.
- Track outstanding actions and coordinate follow-through with responsible personnel.
- Support improvements to program management practices and reporting.
Operational Coordination and Process Improvement
- Support operational projects and special initiatives assigned by the COO.
- Coordinate with department managers to track priorities, deadlines, and progress toward company objectives.
- Identify inefficiencies, communication gaps, and opportunities for process improvement.
- Assist in implementing and maintaining standardized operational procedures.
- Monitor adherence to company policies and established workflows.
- Prepare progress updates, reports, and recommendations for management.
- Support cross-functional meetings and track assigned action items.
Training and Employee Development
- Work with department leadership and Human Resources to identify employee training needs.
- Track required job-specific, procedural, safety, and compliance training.
- Assist with coordinating training schedules, documentation, and completion.
- Identify training gaps and communicate concerns to appropriate managers.
- Support standardized onboarding and departmental training processes.
Quality and Compliance
- Collaborate with Quality and departmental leadership to support consistent quality standards.
- Monitor adherence to documented procedures, customer requirements, and applicable company standards.
- Assist in identifying quality concerns, process deviations, and recurring issues.
- Track corrective action items and coordinate follow-through with responsible departments.
- Support accurate documentation, process consistency, and continuous improvement.
Purchasing and Resource Management
- Coordinate with Purchasing, Program Management, and Operations to monitor material, equipment, and service requirements.
- Track purchasing priorities, lead times, and potential supply chain delays.
- Assist in ensuring purchasing activities follow established approval processes and procedures.
- Support equipment acquisitions, machinery purchases, facility improvements, and other operational projects.
- Coordinate with vendors and internal departments to resolve purchasing-related concerns.
- Identify opportunities to improve purchasing efficiency and resource utilization.
Management and Strategic Support
- Provide the COO with updates regarding project progress, departmental coordination, and operational concerns.
- Assist with implementing company initiatives and monitoring progress toward organizational goals.
- Support organizational planning, workforce coordination, and departmental performance improvements.
- Participate in management meetings and coordinate assigned follow-up actions.
- Develop familiarity with company operations, leadership practices, and strategic objectives.
- Perform additional operational responsibilities and special projects as assigned.