Operations Manager

ALMACO Brazil is seeking an Operations Manager to lead manufacturing, engineering coordination, and operational activities at our facility in Uberlandia, MG, Brazil.

This position is responsible for overseeing fabrication, assembly, engineering priorities, production planning, quality, safety, and workforce development while ensuring successful execution of customer orders and on-time delivery of equipment. The Operations Manager will serve as the senior operational leader for ALMACO Brazil and will work closely with teams in Brazil and the United States to support business growth, production execution, product improvements, and continuous improvement.

ALMACO equipment is commonly customized or modified to meet specific customer and market needs. This role will help prioritize and coordinate engineering and technical resources supporting customer-specific equipment modifications, product localization, and continued tropicalization of equipment for South American markets.

In addition to manufacturing and engineering leadership responsibilities, this position will support customer sales and service activities throughout Brazil and South America.

ALL RESUMES MUST BE SUBMITTED IN ENGLISH.

Primary Responsibilities

Manufacturing Leadership

• Lead daily manufacturing operations, including fabrication, welding, machining, paint, assembly, and production support activities.

• Drive safe, efficient, and high-quality production while meeting delivery commitments.

• Develop, coach, and lead production employees and supervisors.

• Establish production schedules, priorities, and staffing plans to support customer commitments and business objectives.

• Monitor and improve productivity, quality, labor utilization, and overall manufacturing performance.

• Lead problem-solving and continuous improvement initiatives across the operation.

• Partner with engineering, purchasing, quality, and operations teams in the United States to support production execution, product changes, and new product introductions.

Engineering and Product Support

• Provide leadership, direction, and priorities for engineering and technical resources supporting ALMACO Brazil products and customers.

• Coordinate customer-specific equipment modifications, engineered-to-order solutions, and technical issue resolution.

• Partner with U.S. engineering teams to support product improvements, manufacturability, serviceability, and new product introductions.

• Lead regional product adaptation and tropicalization efforts to improve equipment performance, durability, and serviceability in South American operating environments.

• Use customer feedback, field experience, and manufacturing input to identify opportunities for product improvement and market-specific enhancements.

Business and Operational Leadership

• Serve as the primary operational leader for ALMACO Brazil.

• Support strategic planning and organizational development initiatives for the Brazil operation.

• Manage facility resources, equipment, operating priorities, and operational budgets.

• Coordinate activities between manufacturing, engineering, service, sales, and administration functions.

• Build strong communication and alignment between ALMACO Brazil and ALMACO’s global headquarters in Nevada, Iowa, USA.

Customer Sales and Service Support

• Support sales growth and customer relationships throughout Brazil and South America.

• Coordinate equipment installation, training, service, maintenance, and equipment setup activities.

• Assist customers with operational and technical support requirements.

• Represent ALMACO professionally with customers, distributors, suppliers, and industry partners.

Qualifications

Required

• Fluency in Portuguese and English is required; Spanish proficiency is preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, Agricultural Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field.

• Five or more years of leadership experience in manufacturing, production, operations, engineering management, or industrial environments.

• Demonstrated experience leading teams and driving operational performance.

• Strong problem-solving, planning, organizational, and communication skills.

• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, customers, suppliers, technical resources, and leadership teams.

Preferred

• Experience in agricultural equipment manufacturing, industrial equipment manufacturing, or other complex equipment manufacturing environments.

• Experience leading fabrication, welding, machining, paint, assembly, or production support operations.

• Experience managing or coordinating engineering, technical, or product development resources.

• Experience supporting product customization, engineered-to-order equipment, or customer-specific technical solutions.

• Experience with production planning, quality systems, safety programs, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Experience with new product introduction, product localization, equipment adaptation, or tropicalization initiatives.

• Experience supporting customer-facing sales or service activities.

Travel Requirements

• Approximately 20% travel throughout Brazil and South America.

• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

• Ability to obtain and maintain required travel documentation, including passports and visas.

Our Company

ALMACO is the global leader in cutting-edge technology, innovative solutions, and specialized manufacturing of precision agricultural machinery designed for agricultural research within the seed industry. Our products are custom-built and specifically manufactured to the requirements of leading research programs throughout the world. ALMACO continues to be an innovator in new products and technologies that serve the seed research equipment marketplace.

ALMACO is a family-owned business with global headquarters located in Nevada, IA, USA.

ALMACO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. A post-offer pre-employment drug screen and background check are required.