Operations Manager (Wiring & Cable Manufacturing) Reports To: Plant Manager Department: Operations / Manufacturing Job Summary The Operations Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating all production operations within the wiring and cable manufacturing plant. The role ensures that production targets are achieved safely, efficiently, and in compliance with quality standards while optimizing costs, productivity, and resource utilization. The Operations Manager works closely with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, and EHS teams to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence. Key Responsibilities Production Management Plan, organize, and oversee daily production activities to meet customer demand and delivery schedules. Ensure achievement of production KPIs including output, efficiency, OEE, yield, and on-time delivery. Monitor manufacturing processes including wire drawing, annealing, stranding, insulation, cabling, sheathing, armoring, testing, and packaging. Optimize production scheduling and machine utilization to maximize throughput. Minimize downtime through effective coordination with the Maintenance team. Operational Excellence Implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 5S, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives. Identify process bottlenecks and implement corrective actions. Drive productivity improvements and cost reduction programs. Standardize work practices and improve operational efficiency. Quality Management Ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and applicable cable manufacturing standards (IEC, BS, UL, ASTM, or customer specifications). Work closely with the Quality department to reduce defects, scrap, and customer complaints. Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA). Health, Safety & Environment Promote a strong safety culture across all operations. Ensure compliance with company HSE policies and local regulations. Conduct safety audits and risk assessments. Lead investigations of production-related incidents and implement preventive measures. People Management Lead, coach, and develop production supervisors and team leaders. Conduct performance evaluations and establish development plans. Manage workforce planning, training, and succession planning. Foster teamwork, accountability, and employee engagement. Planning & Coordination Coordinate with Supply Chain to ensure availability of raw materials such as copper, aluminum, PVC, XLPE, compounds, tapes, and packaging materials. Work with Engineering on new product introductions and process improvements. Collaborate with Sales and Planning to meet customer delivery requirements. Financial Management Manage production budgets and operating costs. Monitor manufacturing costs, labor efficiency, energy consumption, and material waste. Support annual budgeting and capital expenditure planning. Reporting Prepare and present operational reports to the Plant Manager covering:Production performance OEE and productivity Quality metrics Downtime analysis Safety performance Labor utilization Cost performance Continuous improvement initiatives Customer service and delivery performance Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Production output achievement Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) First Pass Yield (FPY) Scrap and waste percentage Manufacturing cost per unit On-Time Delivery (OTD) Equipment downtime Labor productivity Customer complaints Safety performance (LTIFR/TRIR) Inventory accuracy Continuous improvement savings Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline. Master's degree (MBA or Engineering Management) is an advantage. Experience8–12 years of experience in manufacturing operations. Minimum 5 years in a leadership role within the wire and cable manufacturing industry. Strong experience in wire drawing, stranding, extrusion, cabling, armoring, testing, and finishing processes. Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar). Experience with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies. Technical Skills Strong knowledge of cable manufacturing processes. Understanding of copper and aluminum conductor processing. Knowledge of extrusion technologies (PVC, XLPE, PE, LSZH). Production planning and scheduling. Capacity planning. Process optimization. Quality systems and statistical process control. Root cause analysis tools. Budget and cost management. KPI analysis and reporting. Leadership Competencies Strategic thinking Results-oriented leadership Decision-making Team development and coaching Cross-functional collaboration Problem-solving and analytical thinking Change management Effective communication Conflict resolution Continuous improvement mindset Working Relationships Reports to:Plant Manager Direct Reports:Production Supervisors Shift Managers Production Planners (where applicable) Manufacturing Engineers (depending on organization) Production Coordinators Internal Interfaces:Quality Assurance Maintenance Supply Chain Engineering Warehouse EHSFinance HRSales & Customer Service Preferred Certifications Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt ISO 9001 Internal Auditor OSHA or equivalent Safety Certification Project Management certification (PMP) is an advantage