Operations Manager

Our client is an advanced engineering services organization delivering highly specialized R&D solutions for complex, high-performance applications. The company operates at the intersection of applied physics and multidisciplinary engineering, supporting customers in sectors where precision, reliability, and technical rigor are critical. Its work spans the full lifecycle of complex systems, from early concept and design through validation and delivery, leveraging deep expertise in optical systems, instrumentation, and tightly integrated mechanical, electronic, and analytical domains. Projects are typically customer-driven, technically demanding, and executed in parallel within a contract engineering environment. Mission The Operations / Production Manager is responsible for leading and structuring production activities during a phase of capacity expansion. The role exists to ensure stable, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing of complex optical systems, while bridging the gap between engineering and production and driving continuous improvement across processes, teams, and workflows. This position has a direct impact on product reliability, delivery performance, and operational scalability. Responsibilities Production & Operations Management Own the end-to-end management of production operations for complex optical and opto-electronic systems. Plan and coordinate production activities in a short-series, high-mix manufacturing environment. Ensure production targets, timelines, and quality standards are consistently met. Lead day-to-day problem solving on the shop floor, addressing technical and operational issues. Industrialization & Engineering Interface Lead the industrialization of prototypes and new product versions into series production. Work closely with design and production engineering to ensure smooth transition from development to manufacturing. Manage and control technical product changes throughout the production lifecycle. Contribute to design-for-manufacturing and design-for-assembly discussions. Quality & Process Optimization Ensure product quality, reliability, and process robustness. Define, monitor, and improve manufacturing processes, workflows, and assembly methods. Optimize production times, resource utilization, and operational efficiency. Support root-cause analysis and corrective actions for production and quality issues. Team Leadership & Coordination Provide technical and operational leadership to the production team. Assign tasks, plan workloads, and manage day-to-day team execution. Foster a disciplined, accountable, and collaborative production culture. Coordinate technically with purchasing and administrative functions to ensure production continuity. Required Qualifications Degree in electronics, mechanical engineering, optical engineering, or a closely related technical field. Minimum 5 years of experience in similar production or operations management roles, preferably in a manufacturing environment. Hands-on experience with assembly processes, production execution, and quality control. Proven experience leading teams, planning production activities, and managing workloads. Solid understanding of manufacturing processes for electronic, mechanical, or opto-electronic systems. Strong ability to plan, coordinate, and optimize resources and timelines. Effective communication skills and conflict resolution capability. Ability to work under pressure and meet strict delivery deadlines. Preferred Experience Experience in low-volume, high-complexity or high-customization manufacturing environments. Exposure to optical systems or precision instrumentation production. Experience supporting production scale-up or capacity expansion phases. Familiarity with continuous improvement or process optimization initiatives.