Operations Manager – Production

About Natus Sensory

With over 80 years dedicated to the healthcare field, Natus Sensory offers top-tier diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for sensory professionals. Our goal is to streamline clinical workflows and equip care teams with precise instruments to provide optimal patient support.

Role Summary

The Operations Manager will oversee production activities for a range of electro-mechanical medical devices. Accountability centers on achieving operational excellence by applying continuous improvement techniques, lean manufacturing methodologies, and strategic cost management, while maintaining stringent quality, compliance, customer satisfaction, and engagement standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily global manufacturing operations ensuring safety, quality, delivery, and cost benchmarks are met.
• Design and implement global strategies to enhance productivity, capacity utilization, throughput, and operational efficiencies.
• Champion continuous improvement practices including Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, and 5S.
• Prioritize and execute productivity gains and cost-saving projects without compromising quality or compliance.
• Accelerate production and repair cycles to boost responsiveness to customer demand.
• Establish and track manufacturing KPIs across quality, delivery, inventory, and customer service.
• Conduct Make vs. Buy analyses optimizing manufacturing strategies and supply chain effectiveness.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, and Customer Service to resolve production challenges.
• Facilitate new product introductions ensuring scalable manufacturing processes and operational readiness.
• Assess and implement automation, tooling, process, and technology improvements to raise efficiency and lower costs.
• Ensure compliance with FDA Quality System Regulations (21 CFR Part 820), ISO 13485, and other relevant standards.
• Develop standardized work instructions, procedures, and documentation promoting consistency and excellence.
• Manage demo equipment, refurbished equipment, and spare parts processes with team collaboration.
• Lead, mentor, and cultivate the production workforce encouraging accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and employee engagement.
• Oversee budgets, capital spending, staffing, and resources to fulfill business objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing, or related field) or equivalent.
• Minimum 7 years progressive leadership experience in manufacturing or service repair, ideally in medical device or regulated sectors.
• Strong technical knowledge of electro-mechanical products, assemblies, and manufacturing operations.
• Proven success implementing Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives delivering quantifiable results.
• Experience driving productivity, cost control, and process efficiency enhancements.
• Track record improving production and repair lead time through process optimization.
• Analytical aptitude enabling data-driven operational decision-making.
• Experience with Make vs. Buy evaluations supporting manufacturing and sourcing strategy.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing performance indicators.
• Effective leadership, communication, and cross-functional team collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree such as Master's in Engineering, Operations Management, or Business Administration.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience within FDA-regulated medical device manufacturing and adherence to ISO 13485 quality systems.

Core Competencies

• Operational excellence and lean manufacturing practices
• Continuous process improvement and optimization
• Engineering and technical leadership in electro-mechanical systems
• Productivity improvement and cost reduction strategies
• Value stream mapping and root cause analysis
• Change management and strategic planning
• Customer-centric approach and cross-functional leadership
• Data-driven decision-making analytics

Success Criteria

• Enhanced productivity for manufacturing and depot repair operations.
• Reduction in operating expenses improving gross margins.
• Improved turnaround time for manufacturing and repairs.
• Increased on-time delivery and elevated customer responsiveness.
• Effective elimination of waste through Lean initiatives and improved process capability.
• Optimal sourcing decisions via insightful Make vs. Buy analyses.
• Development of a high-performing operations team focused on continuous improvement.

Compensation & Benefits

The role includes a competitive salary with bonus potential, comprehensive benefits such as health and life assurance, pension plan, active sports and social activities, flexible work location and hours depending on position, career development opportunities, free parking, and educational assistance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The organization is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive hiring practices without discrimination based on race, religion, gender, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected categories.