The Impact You'll Make
The Senior Operations Manager leads daily manufacturing execution for the Utica, NY liquid‑cooling component manufacturing site, reporting to the Plant Director. This role is responsible for driving production output, safety, quality, and delivery performance across value streams, production areas, and shifts.
This position ensures the effective conversion of production plans into results by leading supervisors and production teams while partnering with cross-functional groups to remove barriers and optimize performance. Key success factors include achieving consistent safety, quality, delivery, and productivity outcomes while building a high-performing team and culture of accountability.
What You’ll Be Doing
Responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Lead daily manufacturing execution across value streams, production areas, and shifts to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets
- Manage supervisors, staffing plans, labor allocation, training, and shift handoffs to ensure operational readiness
- Monitor key performance metrics including output, downtime, scrap, rework, labor efficiency, and schedule attainment
- Partner with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, EHS, and Continuous Improvement teams to resolve production issues and remove constraints
- Reinforce standard work, 5S, visual management, and tiered accountability processes to ensure operational discipline
- Build a culture where employees escalate safety, quality, material, or equipment issues for rapid resolution
- Support staffing and training readiness for ramp-ups, new product introductions, and production changes
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for safety incidents, quality issues, downtime, and missed production targets
- Ensure production teams maintain traceability, material control, and accurate system transactions
- Coach and develop supervisors in leadership, performance management, and continuous improvement practices
- Drive productivity improvements through kaizen events, line balancing, and waste reduction initiatives
What We're Looking For
Required (Basic) Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in operations, engineering, manufacturing, business, supply chain, or related field (or equivalent experience)
Proven manufacturing operations leadership experience with responsibility for daily production performance
Experience leading supervisors and managing production teams in a fast-paced environment
Strong knowledge of production management, labor planning, and quality and safety standards
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in assembly, machining, or high-mix manufacturing environments
Background in fluid conveyance, thermal management, automotive, electronics, or HVAC/R industries
Experience with lean manufacturing systems, ERP/MRP systems, and production KPIs
What You'll Get from Us
At Danfoss, we believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace fosters creativity, innovation, and a broader perspective in decision-making. When you consider this job posting, do you feel like your profile is not a perfect match? Numerous studies have found that women and people of color are more likely to apply only when they meet all requirements listed in the job posting. Even if you do not check all the boxes, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are curious to find out how you can bring new insights to the role or to Danfoss as an organization.
We are excited to offer you the following benefits with your employment:
Bonus system
Paid vacation
Retirement plan
Personal insurance
Opportunity to join Employee Resource Groups
State of the art virtual work environment
Employee Referral Program
Ready to Make a Difference?
If this role excites you, we’d love to hear from you! Apply now to start the conversation and learn more about where your career can go with us.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected category.