Director of Operations

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description:

The Schreiner Group is a privately held, family-owned organization, operating with over 1,200 employees across three locations (Germany, China, US). As an internationally active, high-tech label manufacturer, we are mostly a strategic partner for our customers in the markets of healthcare & automotive industries. Our core business is innovative high-tech labels and functional parts. We increase the added value for our customers through suitable system solutions and services. The US operations are currently headquartered in Blauvelt, NY with current activity to relocate to Chestnut Ridge, NY by the end of 2027. The new location will offer the increased production, warehousing, and shipping capacity needed to support our continued growth in the market. By focusing on our customers' needs, we are able to deliver excellent service in support of their goals.

About the Role:

The Director of Operations is a responsible for managing the activities of manufacturing (Supply Chain, Production, Maintenance and other similar departments) which directly impact to the company’s manufacturing activities in a way which will drive performance and ensure business operations are running efficiently and effectively. This position is accountable for the overall performance of production operations and for ensuring customer demands are met while producing products at the lowest cost and maintaining high quality standards. This role requires knowledge of hiring, onboarding and training processes along with building, leading and managing effective teams. Knowledge of safety and quality policies and practices and an overall knowledge of federal and state laws which affect human resources, safety, quality and the manufacturing process.

Managerial Tasks:

• Creates and maintains a work environment which is safe for employees to work in, and addresses safety concerns quickly and decisively.
• Hires, develops, and leads the Operations team through goal setting, training, and delegation activities. Similarly, creates a collaborative environment consistent with the company’s Core Values.
• Ensures quality and customer specifications of produced products are being met. Works with the Quality department on any issue involving quality and ways of improving quality.
• Ensures all employees work according to the company’s cGMP and ISO standards.
• Lead Purchasing activity to evaluate current suppliers/contractors performance and support the outsource opportunities of potential new suppliers/contractors.
• Assess training needs and ensure employees receive the proper orientation and training, beginning with onboarding but throughout the employee lifecycle.
• Oversee the training of all production personnel and other affected personnel as it relates to production policies and procedures.
• Act as a coach, mentor, and leader to the supervisors and all employees in the areas of responsibility to achieve goals and objectives related to production and customer demands. Beyond this, act as a mentor and leader beyond direct reporting structure to all employees throughout the organization.
• Develops the skills of appropriate levels of supervisory and management as it pertains to the expectation setting, Employee Performance Reviews, and Disciplinary Actions for all personnel within purview.
• Creates, communicates, and maintains performance indicators and measures of performance on each department and total production operations (safety/TRIR, productivity, efficiency, on-time delivery and scrap).
• Creates, implements, and ensures compliance with all company controlled documents as it relates to production (SOPs, Guidelines, Process Descriptions, and Forms and Checklists).
• Develop and communicate a business review which includes performance and trending information (company meetings).
• Consults with the appropriate departments (Engineering, Quality, etc.) to assure adequate tools, fixtures, programs, procedures, and processes are being created and implemented throughout the organization involving production. 
• Ensure that practices are in place to track, review, and approve payroll for all production personnel. This includes management of schedules and overtime, all within compliance of company policy and applicable labor laws.
• Initiates purchase order requisitions for supplies needed for production. 
• Develop an annual budget and forecasts as required. Explain significant variances between actual and budgeted/forecasted figures.
• Ensures the completion of regular, preventative maintenance, in addition to proper response to unexpected needs for repair. Spare part inventory, tools, vendor relationships, and other considerations taken where applicable

Operative Tasks:

• Ensures employees are adhering to proper company and safety standards when carrying out their job duties. 
• Oversee the daily functions of all production personnel ensuring all resources are being allocated effective and efficiently. 
• Ensures the proper flow of information to all production staff so all individuals are informed.
• Acts as a liaison between different departments to provide status updates on projects or jobs. 
• Oversees S&OP process, while monitoring and communicating on deliverables
• Plan and monitor inventory levels to support sales forecasts and production levels.
• Plan, implement and monitor Lean Manufacturing initiatives, including 5S
• Manages, plans, and monitors the inventory movements throughout the production cycle. Sets kanban where needed

Strategic Tasks:

• Develops staff plans and forecasts for department based on Sales forecast, machine and team capacity, and seasonality of the business to best meet customer needs
• Drives and executes operational excellence strategy 
• Delivers performance on Purchasing and Supplier strategy
• As the leader for Supply Chain Management and Production, the Director of Operations ensures collaboration between the various roles to develop daily production plan by reviewing customer demands, estimating personnel requirements, and factoring current inventory levels.
  • Organize and prioritize manufacturing and production activities (work flow, materials, machines, and personnel) in a manner that prevents delays and meet customer needs including Logistics and Warehousing
• Review and determine business needs to support future growth in the areas of facility and plan layout as well as equipment and staffing.
• Reviews work load to identify gaps in inefficiencies and/or processes and works to level the workload.
• Active involvement on Leadership Team, including participation, facilitation, and presentation in various meetings and planning activities
• Collaborates with Sales department for forecasting and planning activities
• Leads in development of and representing Core Values
• Maintains “dotted line” relationship with corporate HQ in Germany, with regular visits
• Oversight of a 20+ hour manufacturing facility

Additional Tasks:

• Ensures all machinery, equipment, and facilities are properly maintained.
• Holds daily production and periodic team meetings.
• Determine the root cause of internal and external complaints. Determines and carries out the appropriate corrective action.
• Attend relevant trade shows and industry conventions.
• Perform other responsibilities and tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher educational degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Printed Services, or other related fields.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in similar leadership positions in Pharmaceutical or Automotive supplier manufacturing environment. 
  • Additional experience in Flexographic printing.
  • ISO, IATF and cGMP compliance experience highly preferred.
• Strong people leadership skills shown by example of having built and sustained high performing manufacturing operations in similar environments. 
• Has developed and implemented staff plans, forecasts and department budgets to adequately meet the business’ needs.
• Tangible experience implementing and leading continuous improvement programs, with quantifiable results.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing principles, 5S, Six Sigma, Project Management, and other productivity and quality improvement methods. 
  • Experience leading/implementing Kaizen, Green/Black Belt, or similar programs preferred.
• Experience with OSHA, EHS, and other regulations and rules which effect safety, environmental and/or other reporting and permitting.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems (SAP preferred).
• Intermediate to advanced level of computer knowledge in the MS Office Suites/365.
• Reading, analyzing, and interpreting technical procedures, manuals and manufacturing documents including financial data as it relates to investments and personnel.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift 30-50 pounds.
• Standing or walking for long periods of time.
• Work activity requires repetitive bending, reaching, walking, stooping, and crouching, lifting, and climbing. Job duties also require regular use of fingers and hand when working with material and equipment.
• Occasional travel <10% for offsite meetings, German HQ, customer or trade events