Operations Manager - Solar Manufacturing Experience

Position Overview

Full Circle Recruiting, LLC. is seeking an experienced Operations Manager with 8–10+ years of manufacturing operations experience, including significant experience in the solar industry. The ideal candidate will oversee daily production, workforce management, quality control, safety compliance, and operational efficiency within a fast-paced manufacturing facility.

This position requires a hands-on leader with extensive experience in solar manufacturing, metal fabrication, production management, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily manufacturing operations across multiple departments and production shifts.
• Manage production activities involving solar components, metal fabrication, laser cutting, welding, assembly, and material handling.
• Develop production schedules and ensure manufacturing targets, quality standards, and delivery deadlines are achieved.
• Lead, coach, and manage production supervisors, team leads, and manufacturing employees.
• Monitor operational KPIs, production efficiency, labor productivity, equipment downtime, and manufacturing costs.
• Implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste and increase productivity.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, workplace safety procedures, and ISO 9001 quality standards.
• Collaborate with engineering, procurement, maintenance, and quality teams to resolve production challenges.
• Manage operational budgets, staffing requirements, inventory coordination, and resource allocation.
• Identify production bottlenecks, improve workflow, and implement corrective actions.
• Support solar manufacturing process improvements, equipment upgrades, and production expansion initiatives.
• Maintain employee accountability, attendance standards, and overall operational performance.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 8–10 years of manufacturing operations experience, with significant solar industry experience required.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing production teams and manufacturing operations.
• Strong knowledge of solar manufacturing, solar mounting systems, structural components, or related solar equipment.
• Experience with metal fabrication, welding, CNC/laser cutting, and industrial assembly operations.
• Proven experience managing multiple production shifts and high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, OSHA regulations, and ISO 9001 standards.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems, production planning, inventory management, and operational reporting.
• Strong budgeting, cost control, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience manufacturing solar racking, mounting structures, trackers, or utility-scale solar components.
• Lean Six Sigma certification.
• Experience implementing manufacturing automation and operational improvements.
• Proven success improving production efficiency, reducing downtime, and managing large manufacturing teams.

Ideal Candidate

A results-driven manufacturing leader with strong solar industry expertise, excellent leadership skills, and a proven ability to improve production efficiency, enforce safety standards, manage costs, and drive operational excellence.

Candidates must have substantial solar industry and manufacturing operations experience to be considered.