Operations Manager - Assembly

Overview

The Assembly Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the assembly operations at INNIO’s engine manufacturing facility in Welland from point of raw material to final inspection. This role directly leads several teams, operation leads, and technicians to meet business goals and productivity targets. The successful candidate will have experience in operations management, process controls, customer service, and leading manufacturing teams for highly complex products and systems, while driving first time quality (zero defects) and on-time delivery by collaborating with many departments.

Responsibilities

• Lead assembly, paint, and test teams to maximize area productivity and achieve business and customer delivery goals.
• Interview and recruit new technicians for the area.
• Develop training platforms and criteria for team leaders and technicians.
• Mentor and develop team members, providing coaching and feedback to support career growth.
• Develop and implement strategies to keep employees motivated and dedicated.
• Foster and encourage a culture of continuous improvement.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion within the assembly teams.
• Assist technician teams with scheduling concerns to maximize efficiency and throughput.

Operational Management

• Oversee daily operations of engine assembly, ensuring adherence to production schedules and zero defect quality standards.
• Liaison and coordinate upstream and converging processes as they feed into engine assembly.
• Monitor and analyze production metrics, implementing corrective actions as needed to meet targets.
• Identify upcoming challenges quickly and develop strategies to mitigate.
• Manage headcount requirements across all areas of assembly to align with business objectives.
• Manage indirect spending to meet budgetary goals.
• Prepare and present regular reports on production performance, challenges, and improvement initiatives to senior management.
• Lead regular team meetings to communicate goals, progress, and updates.
• Serve as the primary escalation point and advocate for customer needs, communicating urgent requirements to supporting teams.
• Collaborate with production planning to anticipate and address material availability and ensure seamless workflow.

Process Improvement & Compliance

• Develop and initiate new processes to reduce downtime and improve efficiency across production.
• Drive root cause analysis and resolution of assembly issues with cross-functional teams.
• Support the implementation of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives to optimize processes.
• Coordinate with engineering, quality, supplier quality, and other functions to minimize downtime and ensure on-time delivery.
• Manage inventory levels and lead assembly floor production order cycle counts.
• Develop and communicate key performance indicators to leaders and technician teams.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, industry standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Human Resources to develop and adjust policies.
• Ensure health and safety guidelines are followed and improvements consistently implemented.

Skills & Qualifications

• 8–10 years of production management experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in operations management or engineering preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading a large, multi-shift manufacturing workforce.
• Experience in engine assembly or heavy equipment manufacturing is highly desirable.
• Six Sigma and LEAN manufacturing certification is an asset.
• Expert in Microsoft Office tools; experience with Oracle ERP or equivalent needed.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to create and interpret production data and metrics.
• Solid understanding of health, safety, and environmental regulations in a manufacturing setting.
• Experience implementing process improvements and driving operational excellence.
• Familiarity with inventory management and supply chain processes.
• Ability to manage budgets and control costs effectively.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional customer service skills for both internal and external customers.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Collaborative leader with strong customer focus.
• Able to bring teams together and positively influence others to meet common goals.
• Able to build cross-functional relationships to drive success.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, coach, and develop team members.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Willingness to work flexible hours as needed to support multi-shift operations.