Manufacturing Operations Manager

IronLeaf Designs is a growing manufacturing and fabrication company located in Charlotte, North Carolina. We specialize in custom CNC machining, metal fabrication, woodworking, laser processing, and made-to-order products for commercial, industrial, and OEM clients.

At IronLeaf, we combine skilled craftsmanship with modern manufacturing technology to turn ideas into high-quality finished products. Our work is diverse, hands-on, and constantly evolving—and we’re building a team of talented people who take pride in what they create.

We believe our people are an important part of our growth. We value craftsmanship, reliability, attention to detail, problem-solving, and a team-first mindset. Whether you bring years of experience in the trades or are looking for an opportunity to expand your skills, we want people who are motivated to learn, contribute, and do great work.

As we grow, we’re committed to creating opportunities for our employees to grow with us. Team members have the chance to work across a variety of equipment and processes, develop new skills, take on greater responsibility, and make a meaningful impact on the future of the company.

If you enjoy working with your hands, solving problems, building things you can be proud of, and being part of a growing company where your contributions are noticed and valued, IronLeaf Designs may be the place for you.

IronLeaf Designs is seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Operations Manager to lead our fabrication team and take ownership of daily shop-floor operations. This is a working leadership role—not a desk-based scheduling position. The successful candidate will direct jobs from release through production, inspection, and shipment; coordinate people, equipment, materials, and deadlines; and step into manufacturing work when needed.

We need an experienced leader who can delegate effectively, hold the team accountable, solve problems in real time, and maintain a safe, organized, efficient operation. This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer (COO).

· Own daily operations of the manufacturing floor, including staffing, work assignments, priorities, machine utilization, and job readiness.

· Lead, coach, train, and manage CNC router, 6kW fiber laser, plasma, press brake, fabrication, and general production personnel; set clear expectations and address performance concerns.

· Delegate work based on employee skills, machine capacity, material availability, and delivery commitments; follow up to ensure assignments are completed.

· Run daily production reviews, remove bottlenecks, respond to changing priorities, and communicate risks and resource needs to the COO.

· Work hands-on with the team to support setups, troubleshoot equipment or processes, and keep production moving when necessary.

· Oversee every assigned job from initial review and planning through material preparation, fabrication, in-process and final quality inspection, protective packaging, labeling, and shipping handoff.

· Confirm job packets, drawings, specifications, tooling, materials, and quality requirements are complete and accessible before work begins.

· Track job status, labor progress, due dates, rework, and production issues; coordinate handoffs between processes and departments.

· Own final quality inspection and packaging readiness: verify parts meet customer drawings, specifications, tolerances, and workmanship requirements; ensure inspection records are completed and finished parts are properly protected, labeled, and packaged before shipment.

· Maintain accurate production documentation and traceability in support of the company’s ISO 9001:2015 quality-management efforts.

· Oversee shop-floor inventory control, including receiving coordination, material identification, storage, stock accuracy, and usage tracking.

· Monitor material levels and job-specific requirements; communicate replenishment needs before shortages interrupt production.

· Promote proper material handling and minimize scrap, waste, misplaced stock, and unauthorized material use.

· Ensure tools, consumables, equipment, and work areas are maintained, organized, and ready for production.

· Coordinate preventive maintenance, equipment repairs, safe work practices, and required PPE.

· At least 5 years of hands-on experience in an industrial manufacturing or fabrication shop.

· Demonstrated hands-on CNC experience, including practical knowledge of machine setup, operation, production troubleshooting, and shop-floor workflows.

· Direct, hands-on experience manufacturing or fabricating products using BOTH metal and plastic materials.

· At least 2 years of managerial or supervisory experience in a similar manufacturing or fabrication environment, with demonstrated success leading teams, delegating work, and holding employees accountable.

· Proven ability to manage multiple fabrication jobs from start to finish while meeting quality standards and deadlines.

· Ability to read technical drawings, understand dimensions and tolerances, and use precision measuring and inspection tools.

· Working knowledge of inventory control, material planning, quality inspection, production documentation, and workplace safety.

· Strong organizational, communication, problem-solving, and mechanical troubleshooting skills; willingness to work on the shop floor daily.

· Experience with CNC routers, CNC plasma tables, press brakes, saws, and related fabrication equipment. Experience with fiber laser cutting systems (including 6kW equipment), nesting, or programming software is a plus.

· Experience with CMM inspection equipment and structured quality-management systems, including ISO 9001:2015.

· Experience improving production flow, shop procedures, material control, and employee training.

You are a leader and a doer. You can look across the entire shop, know which jobs need attention, assign the right people, confirm materials and drawings are ready, and follow through until the finished work ships. You bring practical manufacturing credibility, clear communication, good judgment, and a willingness to jump in—not simply direct from the sidelines.

This is an active, on-site industrial manufacturing role involving extended standing and walking, bending, reaching, lifting and hands-on work around machinery, metal, plastics, noise, and fabrication equipment. Employees must use required protective equipment and follow safety procedures.