Senior Manager, Operations (Manufacturing)
Description

Position: Senior Manager, Operations

Location: Uxbridge, MA

Reporting To: Vice President, Operations

On Target Compensation: $125,000 - $136,000

(Base salary depends on skills, knowledge, education, location, and experience)


Job Summary: The Senior Manager, Operations provides hands-on leadership for Lenze Americas’ manufacturing and logistics operations. Reporting to the Vice President, Operations, this role is responsible for translating business priorities into effective daily execution across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Inventory, and People (SQDCIP), while building accountability, operational discipline, and a strong culture of continuous improvement.

Working closely with local and global stakeholders, this leader develops managers and teams, implements sustainable process improvements, and supports strategic initiatives that strengthen operational performance and business growth.


About you: You are an experienced operations leader who enjoys being hands-on, visible, and actively involved in the day-to-day business. You are comfortable moving between the production floor and leadership discussions, working closely with teams to understand challenges, remove barriers, and drive results across safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and productivity.


You lead from the front and build credibility by staying connected to the work, asking thoughtful questions, and partnering with employees and leaders to solve problems. You use data, sound judgment, and Lean principles to set priorities, strengthen operational discipline, and turn business goals into practical actions that deliver measurable and sustainable improvements.


As a senior-level manager, you balance strategic thinking with a willingness to roll up your sleeves and support execution when needed. You develop capable leaders, hold teams accountable, and create an environment where people feel empowered to contribute ideas and improve how work gets done. Above all, you bring integrity, ownership, approachability, and a genuine commitment to operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and team success.


A day in the life:

Leadership & People Development

  • Provide visible, hands-on leadership for Production and Logistics, coaching managers, staying connected to employees and daily operations, and removing barriers to performance
  • Set clear expectations, review performance, and hold leaders and teams accountable for results while fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, continuous improvement, and high performance
  • Build organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, workforce planning, and leadership development while modeling Lenze Leadership Principles

Operational Leadership

  • Direct daily manufacturing and logistics operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and productivity goals, maintaining a regular production-floor presence to identify issues and drive timely resolution
  • Lead capacity and labor planning, operational readiness, and execution of customer commitments while driving Lean manufacturing and Lenze Production System initiatives into standard work
  • Provide the Vice President, Operations with clear recommendations on priorities, risks, investments, and performance improvement opportunities

Logistics & Supply Chain

  • Oversee warehousing, inventory management, material flow, shipping, and logistics execution, working directly with leaders to resolve service and flow constraints
  • Improve inventory accuracy, working capital, on-time delivery, and logistics efficiency through disciplined processes and performance follow-up
  • Ensure compliance with trade, import/export, transportation, and internal control requirements

Financial Management

  • Manage operational budgets, forecasts, labor plans, and manufacturing costs, identifying variances and taking corrective action
  • Lead productivity, cost reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives with measurable savings and sustainable results
  • Develop capital investment recommendations and oversee approved projects to ensure they deliver expected operational and financial outcomes

Continuous Improvement & Performance Management

  • Lead KPI reviews and daily management systems, using data and direct observation to prioritize actions and improve performance
  • Facilitate structured problem solving and continuous improvement with managers, supervisors, and frontline teams
  • Establish clear standard work, process discipline, and follow-up routines that sustain operational gains

Cross-Functional Leadership

  • Partner with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales, Finance, and Customer Service to resolve operational issues and achieve business objectives
  • Lead operational readiness for new products, customer requirements, strategic projects, and growth initiatives
  • Collaborate with local and global stakeholders to align processes, share best practices, manage risk, and support digital manufacturing and transformation programs

Safety, Quality & Compliance

  • Champion a safety-first culture through visible leadership, regular floor engagement, and prompt follow-up on hazards and corrective actions
  • Ensure compliance with EHS, quality, regulatory, and customer requirements while driving improvement in safety and quality performance
  • Support ISO standards, audit readiness, sustainability initiatives, and business continuity planning
Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field required
  • 10+ years of manufacturing operations experience within industrial automation or a comparable technical manufacturing environment
  • 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, operations, logistics, or supply chain management, with demonstrated success leading complex operational environments
  • 5+ years of experience leading leaders within a multi-level manufacturing or operations organization, with a proven track record of developing managers, driving accountability, and building high-performing teams
  • Demonstrated success in a Production Manager role, leading manufacturing operations and production teams, is required
  • Proven experience driving operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and productivity metrics.
  • Strong leadership and people development skills with a track record of building high-performing teams, developing leaders, and leading organizational change.
  • Demonstrated financial acumen, including responsibility for operating budgets, labor planning, productivity initiatives, working capital management, and capital investment projects.
  • Hands-on experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Operational Excellence initiatives with measurable business results.
  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt required; Black Belt preferred
  • Experience working with ERP systems, preferably SAP; familiarity with MES, operational analytics, and Power BI strongly preferred
  • Knowledge of Industry 4.0, automation, digital manufacturing, and data-driven decision-making practices
  • Experience participating in Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), capacity planning, and operational readiness activities
  • Strong understanding of manufacturing quality systems, EHS programs, regulatory compliance, and risk management practices
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills.
  • Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization and within cross-functional teams.
  • Experience working in a global, matrixed organization and partnering with international stakeholders preferred
  • Results-oriented leader with a strong sense of ownership, a continuous improvement mindset, and a passion for developing people and driving business performance
  • Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, including occasional overnight travel, to support business operations, customer engagements, leadership meetings, and global collaboration initiatives (up to 15%)


About us: Lenze is a global manufacturer of electrical and mechanical drives, motion control and automation technology - offering products, drive solutions, complete automation systems, and engineering services and tools from one single source. Our products can be found in many industries, including automotive, packaging, material handling and logistics, robotics, and industrial equipment (pumps/fans).


A global network of distributors and representatives makes Lenze Americas perfectly positioned to meet the motion control needs of customers worldwide. Lenze Americas, the American subsidiary of Lenze SE of Germany, is headquartered in Uxbridge, Massachusetts; corporate global headquarters are in Hamelin, Germany.


Our culture: We’re powered by people. Our culture is built on collaboration, innovation, and respect—where every voice matters and every idea has the potential to shape the future. We believe in balance, supporting our team with the flexibility and resources they need to thrive both professionally and personally.