Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: APOG), was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN. Apogee is a growing, profitable company with annual revenues approaching $1.5 billion. We provide distinctive metal and glass solutions for enclosing commercial buildings, and glass and acrylic solutions for picture framing and display applications. To learn more visit: www.apog.com.
The Apogee Performance Surfaces segment has grown from $100M to $200M in revenue through a recent acquisition. Our brands in the Performance Surfaces portfolio develop and manufacture high-performance coated materials for a variety of applications, including wall décor, museums, graphic design, architectural interiors, digital display, and industrial flooring markets. We are the global leader in anti-reflective, conservation grade electrostatic dissipative, high-definition, and abrasion resistance coatings, which provide protection, innovative designs, and exceptional durability.
Position Summary
This position is responsible for leading manufacturing operations within a liquid coatings production environment, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality production while driving continuous improvement and operational performance. The Operations Manager will work closely with cross-functional teams to optimize manufacturing processes and ensure resources are effectively utilized to achieve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost targets while supporting operational excellence and sustainable growth.
Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
- Provide direct leadership for manufacturing teams ensuring alignment with production, quality, safety and operational objectives. Develop and mentor supervisors, team leads, and frontline employees, to strengthen leadership capability and succession readiness.
- Foster a culture of Safety, accountability, teamwork, cross functional department engagement, and continuous improvement.
- Serve as a key liaison between functions and site leaders to ensure alignment and execution on priorities.
Production & Operational Efficiency
- Lead daily manufacturing operations to achieve production targets, optimize labor utilization, and maximize operational efficiencies.
- Ensure adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Partner cross-functionally with maintenance, quality, supply chain, engineering, chemists, and shipping to eliminate bottlenecks to improve throughput.
- Monitor and analyze key performance metrics (KPIs), including throughput, downtime, first-pass yield (FPY), and cost efficiency.
Continuous Improvement & Lean Manufacturing
- Champion Lean Manufacturing and lead Kaizen events focused on waste reduction, process optimization, and productivity improvement.
- Utilize and promote data-driven decision-making and problem-solving methodologies to identify inefficiencies and drive sustainable corrective actions.
- Implement and sustain 6S principles and standardized work practices.
- Identify waste, inefficiencies, and improvement opportunities in processes and workflows.
Quality, Safety & Compliance
- Lead by example in promoting a strong safety culture and ensuring compliance with all company safety policies, OSHA regulations, and environmental standards.
- Partner with EHS and Quality teams to proactively reduce incidents, improve compliance, and strengthen risk mitigation effort. Collaborate with the Quality Engineer to improve product consistency, reduce defects, and enhance customer satisfaction.
- Ensure timely investigation and resolution of safety, quality, and operational incidents through root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.
- Maintain compliance with all regulatory, operational, and quality system requirements.
Strategic Planning & Execution
- Support all cross functional teams in executing strategic initiatives and operational goals.
- Contribute to budgeting, labor planning, capital investment projects, and operational resource strategies. Drive employee engagement initiatives to strengthen culture, performance and organizational capabilities.
- Lead operational execution against financial and productivity targets while supporting continuous business growth.
Personal Attributes and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive manufacturing operations experience within a coatings, chemical, industrial manufacturing, or related process-driven environment preferred. Strong understanding of coatings manufacturing processes, batch operations, mixing/blending systems, dispersion methods, curing processes (radiation, thermal, and moisture), and related quality standards is highly desirable. Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills.
- Strong leadership and team-building abilities, with a proven track record of driving change.
- Proficiency in ERP systems, data analysis tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Demonstrates operational ownership and accountability for safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost performance.
- Ensures adherence to standards while driving continuous improvements.
- Balances short-term problem-solving with long-term operational improvements.
- Builds strong relationships, fosters a high-performance culture, and develops future leaders.
- Consistently delivers on key performance indicators, driving cost savings and productivity gains.
Work Environment
This job is primarily performed in an office environment. The noise level in the office is generally moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently interacts with individuals on the manufacturing floor, near moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the production environment is usually loud.
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Our Benefits
We care about and invest in our employees. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their well-being and foster professional development. Here is a glimpse of what you can look forward to if you join our team.
Competitive Benefits Package for employees and their dependents (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability)
Incentive Plans
401(k) with employer contribution and match
Employee Stock Purchase Plan with employer match
Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick Time)
Paid Holidays
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Wellness Program
Training and Career Progression
Apogee and our brands are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or related field
- Minimum 5-7 years in manufacturing operations with leadership experience
- Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Continuous Improvement methodologies
- Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and analytical skills
- Strong leadership and team-building abilities
- Proficiency in ERP systems, data analysis tools, and Microsoft Office Suite
Apogee Enterprises Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Apogee Enterprises and has not been reviewed or approved by Apogee Enterprises.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Ownership via an Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a company match is positioned as a core element of total rewards, enhancing long‑term value beyond base pay. Plan updates and corporate materials emphasize this equity component as a meaningful part of compensation.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with employer contribution and match is consistently highlighted, signaling solid support for long‑term savings. Job materials and corporate content frame retirement plans as a key pillar of the package.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellness and mental‑health resources include screenings, flu shots for employees and dependents, and an EAP with multiple counseling visits plus an online CBT tool. These offerings indicate tangible investment in wellbeing beyond core medical coverage.
Apogee Enterprises Insights
What We Do
By definition, Apogee means "highest point." It's no coincidence that it's also the name of our company. For over 70 years it is a name that has inspired and driven us to achieve a higher level of excellence in all we do. We are not satisfied with the status quo. We aim higher, think bigger, and endeavor to create even more value for every Apogee stakeholder. We strive to create peak value. Apogee is a leader in architectural products and services. Our glass and aluminum window, storefront and curtainwall systems make buildings look great, reduce energy consumption, and protect occupants and property. Our highly skilled team designs glass and metal building façades, completes massive orders for skyscrapers on time, and manages complex window, curtainwall and storefront installation projects. We are also a leader in the protection and conservation of all things framed and displayed. Our Tru Vue business provides high-performance glass and acrylic products for the custom framing, fine art, and technical glass markets.
