Address: 

Arizona Correctional Industries (ACI)
4441 East McDowell Road
Phoenix, Arizona 85034
https://corrections.az.gov/

Salary: $100,000.00 

Grade: 26

Closing Date: 10/7/2026

Do you have at least 5 years of progressive experience in operations management, industrial enterprise, or correctional workforce programs? Do you have experience in correctional operations, offender workforce development, and enterprise-level manufacturing or service environment? Start the next step in your Business Operations career. Apply today!

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR) is seeking an experienced business operations manager to assume the Workforce Operations Administrator position. This position drives the strategic direction, operational oversight, and workforce development initiatives for ACI's inmate employment and business programs across the state. Plays a key part in advancing ACI's mission to reduce recidivism through real-world job skills training, while maintaining profitable and secure business operations, and cultivating public-private partnerships that enhance inmate reentry outcomes and support Arizona's economy.

Operational Oversight:
- Leads daily operations across multiple ACI business units, including manufacturing, agricultural, service-based, and private-sector joint ventures within state correctional institutions
- Ensures that ACI operations maintain security, safety, quality control, and production standards while integrating offender work programs within secure facility protocols
- Applies continuous improvement methodologies to drive operational excellence and reduce waste

Inmate Workforce Development:
- Oversees the design and implementation of programs for incarcerated workers, aligning with industry-recognized credentials and reentry goals
- Partners with community colleges, workforce boards, and vocational training providers to expand certification and upskilling opportunities, including developing Registered Apprenticeship Programs and Vocational Villages
- Ensures compliance with Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP)

Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement:
- Supervises a team of industry managers, industry supervisors, and administrative staff responsible for daily ACI operations
- Collaborates closely with ADCRR prison wardens, security staff, and state agency partners to align inmate work schedules, training protocols, and institutional needs
- Serves as a primary point of contact for ACI’s private-sector partners, government agencies, and community stakeholders

Financial & Contract Management:
- Develops and manages annual budgets exceeding $25M in revenue, including forecasting, cost analysis, and Return On Investment (ROI) evaluation for assigned shops and/or custom products
- Oversees procurement, vendor contracts, memoranda of understanding, and private-sector partnerships in accordance with Arizona procurement code and ADOA policies
- Ensures revenue targets, compliance benchmarks, and inmate compensation policies are met

Strategic Planning & Program Expansion:
- Develops and leads strategic initiatives to expand ACI's industry partnerships and revenue-generating opportunities while increasing inmate employment across facilities
- Supports ACI’s strategic plan and roadmap in coordination with the ADCRR, aligning with legislative priorities, recidivism reduction goals, and state economic development strategies
- Creates and evaluates performance metrics and prepares reports for ACI leadership
- Drives on State business
- Performs other duties appropriate to the assignment

Knowledge of:
- Sales strategies and B2B business development
- Marketing and brand positioning techniques
- Government contracting and procurement policies
- ERP, CRM systems, and customer service workflows
- ACI’s dual mission of economic sustainability and inmate rehabilitation
- Production and supply chain management in a manufacturing environment

Skill in:
- Strategic planning and execution
- People management and team leadership
- Budgeting and forecasting
- CRM and sales performance tools
- Negotiation and client relationship building
- Cross-functional coordination

Ability to:
- Lead diverse teams with aligned performance goals
- Represent ACI’s value proposition to high-level stakeholders
- Translate client needs into viable products and services
- Drive sales performance while fulfilling ACI’s rehabilitative mission
- Analyze and adapt to market trends using performance data
- Build lasting partnerships that support training and reentry objectives

- At least 5 (five) years of progressive experience in operations management, industrial enterprise, or correctional workforce programs with a minimum of 3 years in a leadership or administrative role
- Knowledge of correctional operations, offender workforce development, and enterprise-level manufacturing or service environments
- Experience working with regulatory programs such as PIECP, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and ADCRR standards

Employment is contingent on the selected applicant passing a background investigation and a drug test.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

In an effort to maintain a safe environment, all employees are required to take a Tuberculosis (TB) test during their New Employee Orientation and every year thereafter.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

We offer an excellent and affordable comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees:
- Vacation and sick days with 10 paid holidays per year
- Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
- Robust and affordable insurance plan to include medical, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability options
- Exceptional retirement program
- Optional employee benefits such as deferred compensation plans, credit union membership, and a wellness program
- An incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Current ADCRR Employees: Consult with your respective Human Resources Liaison if you are in a different retirement plan than the one indicated above.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 255-2430. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.