Senior Operations Analyst

Role: Senior Operations Analyst

Location: Eden Prairie, MN or New Ulm, MN (if in Eden Prairie, there will be some travel to New Ulm as needed)

Salary: $85,000 - $105,000

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Sr. Operations Analyst is a critical, data-driven role designed to support the Vice President of Engineering and Operations in navigating the complexities of a high-growth, matrixed manufacturing environment. This position acts as the analytical engine of the Executive Team, transforming raw data from cross-functional workstreams into actionable insights and predictive dashboards that drive scalable organic and acquisitive growth.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Dashboard Creation & Performance Visualization

• Develop and maintain integrated dashboards to visualize and analyze business performance across the Quality, Engineering, Production, and Supply Chain function
• Create automated reporting tools for site-specific performance to ensure organizational capabilities are scalable and consistent with strategic and annual planning initiatives
• Utilize Traction EOS methodologies to provide data-driven visibility into continuous improvement efforts in safety, quality, and cost

Data Research & Strategic Insights

• Identify trends and anomalies in sales orders and manufacturing cycles to improve margin expansion and margin protection
• Collaborate with cross functional leadership to drive the SIOP (Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning) process
• Leverage data and market trends to support strategic planning of long-range priorities including infrastructure investments

Cross-Functional Matrix Support

• Project Engineering: Evaluate patterns in cost of goods sold to identify high impact cost reduction opportunities in process and design of products
• Operational Master Scheduling: Analyze throughput data and financial performance to optimize the movement of production between global sites
• Quality & Compliance: Monitor nonconformance and corrective action trends enabling internal and supplier actions to reduce Cost of Quality (CoQ)
• Supply Chain: Identify opportunities to improve inventory turns to drive working capital improvements

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Analytics, Engineering, Finance, or a related field required or equivalent experience

Experience:

• 5-7 years of experience in data analysis within a manufacturing environment
• Experience developing KPI frameworks, predictive dashboards, and executive-level operational reporting
• Experience supporting multi-site or global operations preferred

Knowledge/Skills:

• Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems and data visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau
• Advanced analytical and technical skills including SQL, Excel/Power Query, data modeling, and automated reporting development
• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations including BOMs, routings, labor standards, throughput analysis, and manufacturing costing methodologies
• Understanding of Engineer-to-Order (ETO) manufacturing, SIOP/S&OP processes, and capacity planning methodologies highly preferred
• Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement principles
• Strong financial and operational acumen including margin analysis, cost of quality (CoQ), inventory optimization, and working capital improvement
• Ability to synthesize complex operational data into actionable insights for executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders
• Excellent analytical, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills

Accountability Metrics (KPIs)

The Operational Analyst will be measured by their ability to provide visibility into the following:

Category/Primary Dashboards & Analysis Support

Operational Visibility - SIOP tracking; Site level capacity & demand; Operational roadmap planning

Execution - On-Time to Commit (OTTC); Program Budget vs. Actual (BVA);

Quality/Safety - Cost of Quality (CoQ) drivers; Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) visualization

Financial - Inventory Turn reporting; Working Capital Improvement tracking; Margin Expansion analysis

Innovation - New Product Introduction (NPI) Cycle Time tracking; R&D ROI reporting

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel; frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. Specific vision ability by this job includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.