Director of Operations

Director of Operations

3LED Group is seeking an experienced Director of Operations to lead and strengthen the operational performance of our Vermont manufacturing facility. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for manufacturing operations, planning, purchasing, inventory management, supply chain performance, and operational improvement initiatives. The successful candidate will work closely with engineering, business systems, and executive leadership to improve execution, strengthen operational discipline, and build a scalable foundation for future growth. We are looking for a builder, not a caretaker. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex operational challenges, improving systems and processes, reducing costs, and driving measurable business results.

Key Responsibilities:

Operations Leadership:

• Lead overall operational performance across manufacturing, planning, purchasing, inventory control, and fulfillment activities.
• Establish clear operational objectives, KPIs, accountability, and review processes.
• Drive improvements in on-time delivery, productivity, quality, inventory accuracy, and customer responsiveness.
• Develop a culture of ownership, urgency, and continuous improvement.

Supply Chain, Planning & Purchasing:

• Improve purchasing effectiveness, supplier performance, inventory management, and materials planning processes.
• Reduce shortages, excess inventory, expediting activity, and supply chain risk.
• Drive strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Improve working capital performance through stronger inventory management and planning discipline.

Business Systems & Process Improvement:

• Partner closely with business systems leadership to improve ERP utilization, reporting, data quality, and operational workflows.
• Support implementation of scalable systems, processes, and controls.
• Drive operational visibility through metrics, dashboards, and performance reviews.

Financial & Operational Performance:

• Improve gross margins through operational efficiency, sourcing improvements, and cost management.
• Understand and actively manage the operational drivers of profitability.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and operational planning activities.
• Lead cost reduction initiatives with measurable business impact.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Lead and develop operations personnel across planning, purchasing, inventory, and production functions.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships with Engineering, IT Systems, Sales, and executive leadership.
• Establish clear expectations, timelines, and accountability throughout the organization.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of manufacturing operations leadership experience.
• Experience managing planning, purchasing, inventory, supply chain, and production functions.
• Demonstrated success implementing operational improvements and driving measurable business results.
• Experience with ERP systems, MRP, inventory management, and manufacturing KPIs.
• Strong financial and business acumen, including margin management and working capital improvement.
• Experience with electronics manufacturing, PCB assembly, electromechanical products, LED systems, lighting products, or similar engineered products strongly preferred.

Success in the First 12 Months:

• Improve on-time delivery performance.
• Strengthen materials planning and purchasing processes.
• Reduce supply chain and material costs.
• Improve inventory accuracy and inventory management.
• Support ERP and business systems modernization initiatives.
• Establish KPI-driven operational reviews and accountability.
• Build a scalable operational foundation to support future growth.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive salary.
• Performance-based bonus opportunity.
• Comprehensive health benefits.
• 401(k) with company match up to 6%.
• Paid time off and holidays.

3LED Group is a vertically integrated lighting and photonics platform with businesses spanning LED technology, optics, electronics, lighting systems, and manufacturing. Our companies serve commercial, industrial, architectural, and OEM markets through a combination of engineering innovation, operational excellence, and customer-focused solutions.