Job Description: Operations Manager / Director of Operations

Truth | Integrity | Teamwork & Service | Simplicity | Self-Actualization

Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Indianapolis, IN

Reports to: COO

Supervises: Manufacturing and Warehouse Teams – Indianapolis

Level: Operations Manager or Director of Operations, commensurate with experience (see Level Determination)

Since 1966, Echo Engineering has been partnering with their customers to create and supply meaningful solutions for their most pressing Connecting, Fastening, NVH, and Sealing challenges. Their vision is to create the most compelling B2B company of the 21st century by becoming the number one source for the online creation and fulfillment of core products.

Purpose

This role is responsible for all Warehouse and Manufacturing activities at our Indianapolis location, leading, developing, and motivating a team of warehouse and production associates to meet and exceed performance expectations in safety, quality, delivery, productivity, inventory control, and people development. The role is a key contributor to day-to-day performance as well as the development of budgets and mid-term strategies designed to grow and improve existing capabilities. At the Director level, the role additionally carries ownership of multi-year operational strategy, the site operating budget, and development of the site leadership bench.

Core Responsibilities (All Levels)

· Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Indianapolis facility within budget and to expectations: safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and inventory control.

· Hire, train, coach, and develop the production and warehouse teams, ensuring performance, safety, and inventory requirements are met.

· Manage daily production schedules; outline staff assignments, labor hours, material and equipment requirements, and training needs. Assist staff with execution of production tasks as needed.

· Provide root-cause corrective actions and continuous improvement for production- and warehouse-related issues in safety, quality, and productivity (Corrective Action Request (CAR) process; Continuous Improvement/Lean activities).

· Develop, implement, and maintain departmental organizational compliance across Quality, Safety, and Productivity.

· Troubleshoot manufacturing processes and techniques; understand processes in depth to help machine operators perform efficiently and effectively.

· Assist Quality with tool and part inspections, product PPAP, process capability studies, process PFMEA, root-cause analysis, and submission and implementation of appropriate corrective actions.

· Develop, implement, and maintain a robust tool management program.

· Work cross-functionally to control raw material, work-in-process, and finished goods inventory levels to maximize the customer experience within inventory targets.

· Assume other duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities – Director Level

If filled at the Director level, the role additionally:

· Owns the annual site operating budget and the multi-year capacity and capital plan; presents plans and performance to executive leadership.

· Develops and executes mid-term operational strategy (capacity, automation, footprint, make/buy) aligned to company growth targets.

· Builds and develops the site leadership bench (team leads and supervisors) with clear succession plans for critical roles.

· Owns site-level cost drivers: labor productivity, scrap and rework, freight, and inventory carrying cost.

· Represents Operations in cross-functional executive processes, including S&OP, new product introduction, and ISO management review.

Qualifications – All Candidates

· Bachelor of Science degree in business, operations, or engineering preferred.

· Minimum of 5 years supervisory experience in a high-mix production and warehouse environment supervising a team of at least 10 operators.

· Experience implementing 5S, Lean Manufacturing, and Continuous Improvement principles.

· Advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite, specifically Excel, and ERP/MRP software experience; MRP implementation experience a plus.

· Minimum of 3 years’ experience operating in an ISO 9001:2015 environment.

· Proven ability to develop, implement, and achieve Key Performance Indicators in safety, quality, productivity, and inventory management.

· Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and manage change with a track record of problem solving, team building, planning, and decision making.

· Experience with or exposure to production planning, MRP system(s), Bill of Operation (BOO), and Bill of Material (BOM).

· High level of initiative with experience managing multiple projects simultaneously, working independently as well as in cross-functional teams; demonstrated success leading a project through to completion.

· Experience converting (die-cut, daisy-chain, laminate, assemble, package, etc.) a wide variety of materials, including foams and rubbers of varying thicknesses and durometers, tapes (single- and double-coated), films and liners, and adhesives (supported and unsupported), a plus.

Additional Qualifications – Director Level

· 10+ years of progressive operations leadership, including 3+ years managing managers or a multi-department scope spanning manufacturing and warehouse/distribution.

· Demonstrated ownership of an operations budget or site P&L, including capital planning and justification.

· Track record of building a leadership layer – developing team leads and supervisors, not only front-line staff.

· Experience setting and executing multi-year operational strategy (capacity, automation, footprint).

Competencies

· Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to lead, motivate, retain, build, and organize a team.

· Strong analytical skills; data-driven decision-making ability.

· Fast learner with an out-of-the-box approach to problem solving and the ability to work at both tactical and strategic levels.

· Takes initiative, drives change, and makes decisions.

· Teamwork oriented with a leadership mentality.

· Knowledge of ISO 9001:2015 processes and procedures.

· Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively at all levels of the organization.

Level Determination

Final title and level (Operations Manager or Director of Operations) will be determined by the hiring team based on the selected candidate’s demonstrated scope against the criteria above – depth of leadership experience, budget/P&L ownership, and strategic track record. Compensation will align to the confirmed level.