Director of Operations
Job Summary
The Director of Operations is accountable for the safe, reliable, and profitable performance of a manufacturing facility. This leader directs manufacturing, materials, manufacturing engineering, maintenance, receiving, warehousing, and plant logistics to achieve customer service, quality, delivery, cost, and inventory objectives.
This role builds a high-performing, accountable team and applies Lean Manufacturing principles to improve flow, eliminate waste, increase capacity, and establish sustainable standard work. The position partners across the organization to align plant execution with company strategy and share best practices across the domestic manufacturing network.
Essential Functions
- Lead all plant operations, including manufacturing, materials, manufacturing engineering, maintenance, receiving, warehousing, inventory control, and site logistics.
- Develop and execute the annual operating plan to achieve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, capacity, and inventory targets.
- Build a strong Lean Manufacturing culture using daily management, standard work, visual controls, root-cause problem solving, value-stream improvement, and continuous improvement events.
- Ensure compliance with applicable environmental, health, safety, employment, and operational requirements while proactively identifying and reducing workplace risk.
- Develop, coach, and hold leaders and teams accountable while managing staffing, performance, succession, employee engagement, and corrective action in partnership with Human Resources.
- Optimize production flow, labor, equipment, space, maintenance, and material availability to meet customer commitments and support growth.
- Own the plant budget and operating results, including labor, overhead, capital spending, material usage, and cost-reduction initiatives.
- Lead major operational projects such as facility expansions, layout changes, equipment installations, product transfers, and capacity improvements.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, business, or a related discipline. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
- Ten or more years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including at least five years leading a significant manufacturing operation or major operating segment.
- Demonstrated success implementing Lean Manufacturing systems and tools such as daily management, standard work, 5S, value-stream mapping, Kaizen, root-cause analysis, and flow or pull concepts.
- Broad working knowledge of manufacturing operations, manufacturing engineering, planning, materials, inventory control, maintenance, quality, EHS, and plant logistics.
- Proven ability to manage budgets, capital projects, capacity plans, operational KPIs, and cross-functional improvement initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong mechanical and technical aptitude with proficiency in ERP systems and business productivity tools.
Technical Skills
- Lean Manufacturing
- Manufacturing leadership
- Budget management
- Team development and coaching
- Continuous improvement
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Strategic and business acumen
- Root cause problem solving
- Value stream mapping
- ERP systems proficiency
- Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Education & Certifications
Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, business, or a related discipline is required. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Compensation & Benefits
Base salary range of $190,000 to $220,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Comprehensive benefits package offered.