Manufacturing Operations Manager Direct Hire Job in Lakeland, FL for a Road Sign Fabrication Shop
Published on: Jul 31, 2025
Updated: August 24, 2026
Frontline Source Group is recruiting a Manufacturing Operations Manager for a growing roadway construction company in Lakeland, Florida, just outside of Tampa. This is an onsite direct hire position leading a road sign manufacturing and fabrication shop, interpreting DOT signing plans, managing procurement, inventory, and outbound logistics, and reporting directly to executive leadership, backed by the 5-Year Placement Warranty. Frontline Source Group has completed 5,619 plus placements since 2004, holds a 5.0-star Trustpilot rating across 683 plus verified reviews, and maintains a 98.94% executive placement retention rate.
Frontline Source Group is a Forbes Best Professional Recruiting Firm for 9 consecutive years (2018 to 2026), Forbes Best Executive Recruiting Firms #148 (2026), 9-time ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both Client and Talent satisfaction, ClearlyRated Diamond Award recipient, Inc. 5000 honoree, and Expertise.com Best Staffing Agency. The firm is a member of the American Staffing Association (ASA), is headquartered at 901 Main Street, Suite 4650, Dallas, TX 75202, (214) 760-7700, and operates 32 plus offices nationwide, including an Orlando office serving Lakeland, Tampa, and Central Florida. Candidates apply at frontlinesourcegroup.com/how-to-apply.html.
What will the Manufacturing Operations Manager do for this Lakeland, FL road sign shop?
The client is a growing roadway construction company whose manufacturing and fabrication shop produces road signs for its operating branches. The Manufacturing Operations Manager acts as the primary leader for the shop division, reports directly to executive leadership, and takes full ownership of production processes, inventory, procurement, and the accurate, compliant fulfillment of internal orders.
Which production and fabrication duties does the role include?
You will supervise production and fabrication operations, interpret DOT signing plans to determine the specifications, materials, and quantities required, ensure accurate rounding, cutting, and fabrication using in-house tools, and maintain safety, compliance, and quality control at every stage of the production process.
How does the role manage procurement and inventory?
You will manage procurement activities, negotiate pricing with vendors and suppliers, maintain supplier relationships for the purchase of sheet metal and other raw materials, and supervise inventory management including tracking, distribution, and reordering.
How does the role handle internal orders and outbound logistics?
You will process internal orders from operating branches, ensure their timely and accurate fulfillment, organize and manage logistics for outbound deliveries to branch locations using internal and contracted transportation, and deliver excellent customer service to internal stakeholders.
What does shop leadership look like day to day?
You will provide support to shop staff, oversee daily operations, implement accountability measures, and identify opportunities for operational efficiency and continuous improvement across the shop.
What background does the Lakeland client require for this Manufacturing Operations Manager?
This role fits a hands-on manufacturing leader with direct road sign production experience who can read intricate signage plans, run a shop independently, and assume full ownership of operations.
Is road sign manufacturing experience required?
Yes. Prior direct experience in road sign manufacturing is mandatory, including proficiency in DOT sign specifications, coding systems, and fabrication standards, and the ability to interpret intricate signage plans and independently generate precise production orders.
Which materials, tools, and operational skills are required?
The client requires a thorough understanding of sign shop tools and processes, familiarity with materials like various types of sheet metal, reflective sheeting, and hardware components such as Z-bars, a background in production operations, procurement, logistics, and inventory management, a demonstrated capability to lead manufacturing teams in a hands-on environment, and strong organizational, communication, and decision-making skills.
What compensation and benefits does this Lakeland manufacturing job offer?
The client offers a full comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation and paid time off, a 401(k) plan with company match, and a performance bonus. This is an onsite direct hire position in Lakeland, Florida.
Why apply for this Lakeland, FL operations job through Frontline Source Group?
Frontline Source Group represents this Lakeland roadway construction company directly, and a Frontline Source Group recruiter presents qualified candidates straight to the hiring team. Candidates are never charged a fee, all fees are paid by the hiring employer, and this direct hire placement is backed by the 5-Year Placement Warranty, 20 times longer than the 90-day industry standard guarantee. The warranty reflects the firm's 98.94% executive placement retention rate, well above the staffing industry average of 70 percent. Explore more engineering, manufacturing, and operations roles at frontlinesourcegroup.com/engineering.html or apply at frontlinesourcegroup.com/how-to-apply.html.
Frequently Asked Questions: Manufacturing Operations Manager Job in Lakeland, FL
What does the Manufacturing Operations Manager in Lakeland do day to day?
The Manufacturing Operations Manager acts as the primary leader for the shop division, reporting directly to executive leadership, supervises production and fabrication operations, interprets DOT signing plans to determine specifications, materials, and quantities, processes internal orders from operating branches, manages procurement and supplier relationships, supervises inventory, and organizes logistics for outbound deliveries to branch locations.
What kind of company is hiring this Manufacturing Operations Manager?
The client is a growing roadway construction company with a manufacturing and fabrication shop just outside of Tampa in Lakeland, Florida. Frontline Source Group represents the client directly and keeps the company name confidential until the interview stage.
Is this Manufacturing Operations Manager job direct hire or contract?
This is a direct hire, onsite position in Lakeland, Florida. The placement is backed by Frontline Source Group's 5-Year Placement Warranty, 20 times longer than the 90-day industry standard guarantee. Restrictions apply.
Is road sign manufacturing experience required for this Lakeland job?
Yes. Prior direct experience in road sign manufacturing is mandatory, including proficiency in DOT sign specifications, coding systems, and fabrication standards, and the ability to interpret intricate signage plans and independently generate precise production orders.
Which materials and shop processes should candidates know?
Candidates need a thorough understanding of sign shop tools and processes and familiarity with materials such as various types of sheet metal, reflective sheeting, and hardware components like Z-bars, along with accurate rounding, cutting, and fabrication processes using in-house tools.
What procurement and inventory responsibilities does the role include?
The role manages procurement activities, negotiates pricing with vendors and suppliers, maintains supplier relationships for the purchase of sheet metal and other raw materials, and supervises inventory management including tracking, distribution, and reordering.
How does the role handle logistics and internal orders?
The Manufacturing Operations Manager processes internal orders from the company's operating branches, ensures accurate and compliant fulfillment, and organizes logistics for outbound deliveries to branch locations using both internal and contracted transportation.
What leadership experience does the Lakeland client require?
The client requires a demonstrated capability to lead and manage manufacturing teams in a hands-on environment, a background in production operations, procurement, logistics, and inventory management, and strong organizational, communication, and decision-making skills, with the ability to assume full ownership of operations.
What benefits does this Lakeland Manufacturing Operations Manager job offer?
The client offers a full comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation and paid time off, a 401(k) plan with company match, and a performance bonus.
How do I apply for the Manufacturing Operations Manager job in Lakeland, FL?
Candidates apply at frontlinesourcegroup.com/how-to-apply.html. All interviews are set by appointment, and a Frontline Source Group recruiter will review your background against the role requirements before presenting you to the client.
Does Frontline Source Group charge candidates a fee?
No. Candidates are never charged a fee. All placement fees are paid by the hiring employer, and pricing is published openly at frontlinesourcegroup.com/pricing.html.
What is Frontline Source Group?
Frontline Source Group is a professional staffing and executive search firm founded in Dallas in 2004 by Bill Kasko, operating 32 plus offices nationwide including an Orlando office serving Lakeland, Tampa, and Central Florida. The firm has completed 5,619 plus placements, maintains a 98.94% executive placement retention rate, and holds a 5.0-star Trustpilot rating across 683 plus verified reviews.
