At L.L.Bean, we believe the outdoors brings out the best in all of us. We are committed to fostering a culture of belonging and creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome—both here and Outside. We value individual differences and are dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment where everyone can bring the best of their experience and talents and truly thrive.
Position Purpose
The Operations Manager provides overall leadership and accountability for the execution of the manufacturing operating plan, ensuring the safety of employees while delivering high-quality products to customers in accordance with service, cost, and business expectations. Provides leadership to manufacturing management and support functions to ensure the organization has the people, processes, equipment, materials, capacity, and capabilities required to support current and future business needs.
Leads the organization in achieving production, quality, delivery, cost, workforce, and capacity objectives while ensuring products meet established specifications and quality standards.
Key Responsibilities
Operations Leadership & Execution
Assume overall responsibility for execution of the manufacturing operating plan, while working with peers in product development, engineering, production planning and scheduling as well as external manufacturing resources.
Establish operating priorities and ensure appropriate alignment of staffing, materials, equipment, capacity, outside contracting, and facility requirements.
Provide leadership and direction to manufacturing assistant managers and functional support teams in resolving operational issues and meeting business objectives.
Identify internal and external risks that could impede achievement of the manufacturing business plan and develop appropriate mitigation and corrective-action plans.
People Leadership & Organizational Development
Create a motivating, accountable, and performance-focused manufacturing environment.
Regularly evaluate staffing levels, leadership capacity, and job responsibilities to ensure the organization is positioned to achieve its objectives.
Provide input for workforce planning and succession planning for critical manufacturing positions.
Make or approve employment decisions regarding hiring, promotions, transfers, development actions, and terminations within established company practices.
Establish clear performance expectations for direct reports and ensure effective performance management practices are consistently applied throughout the organization.
Coach and develop leaders through challenging assignments, direct feedback, training, career discussions, and development planning.
Build leadership capability throughout the organization, particularly within frontline and operations leadership.
Promote effective communication, teamwork, accountability, and employee engagement across manufacturing operations.
Ensure consistent and equitable application of company policies, compensation practices, and employment procedures.
Partner with Human Resources to address complex employee and organizational issues.
Safety
Assume overall operational responsibility for manufacturing safety performance and the development of a strong safety culture.
Ensure compliance with applicable safety requirements, including OSHA/VPP regulations and company policies.
Integrate safety considerations into production processes, equipment decisions, facility changes, training, staffing, and daily operating practices.
Production, Quality & Customer Service
Ensure manufacturing operations consistently deliver products that meet established product specifications and quality standards.
Maintain production capacity and schedules necessary to support customer demand, inventory requirements, and service expectations.
Financial & Business Management
Assume responsibility for controlling manufacturing operating costs and achieving established financial objectives.
Develop and manage annual…