Director of Operations

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Director of Operations

Founded by the Channell family in 1922, Channell is a global designer, manufacturer, and seller of outside plant infrastructure equipment. The markets served by Channell are Telecommunications, Municipalities, Internet Service Providers, Wireless, Water, Power, and CATV, among others. Major product lines include a complete line of thermoplastic and metal fabricated enclosures, fiber optic cable connection and management systems, and high-performance below-grade vaults.

JOB SUMMARY:
The Director of Operations provides strategic and operational leadership across the company's multi-site manufacturing network. This role is accountable for driving safety, quality, productivity, cost, and delivery performance at every facility while building a consistent operating system, talent pipeline, and culture of continuous improvement across locations. The Director partners closely with Plant Managers, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, and HR to ensure each site operates at world-class levels and that capacity, capital, and talent decisions support the company's growth and customer commitments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Develop and execute the multi-site manufacturing operations strategy in alignment with overall business goals, growth plans, and customer demand.
• Establish and standardize a common operating system (KPIs, daily management, tiered accountability meetings) across all plants to ensure consistent execution and visibility.
• Set annual operating and capital budgets for all locations; own P&L accountability for manufacturing operations.
• Drive productivity, throughput, and cost-reduction initiatives while maintaining or improving quality and service levels.
• Lead capacity planning, footprint strategy, and capital investment decisions across the network, including new equipment, line expansions, or facility consolidations.
• Directly manage and develop Plant Managers/Site Leaders at each location, setting clear performance expectations and holding sites accountable to targets.
• Build bench strength and succession plans for critical operations roles across all sites; partner with HR on talent acquisition, development, and retention strategies.
• Foster a culture of engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement; conduct regular site visits and gemba walks.
• Standardize best practices across facilities and lead cross-site knowledge sharing to eliminate performance variability between plants.
• Champion an EHS-first culture; ensure all locations meet or exceed OSHA and applicable regulatory requirements, with measurable reduction in incident rates.
• Ensure consistent adherence to quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001) and customer quality requirements across all sites.
• Oversee compliance with environmental, labor, and applicable trade/export regulations at each facility.
• Lead deployment of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and/or Continuous Improvement methodologies across all locations.
• Drive standardization of processes, work instructions, and systems (ERP/MES) to improve consistency, data integrity, and decision-making across sites.
• Identify and lead major process improvement, automation, and cost-savings projects with measurable ROI.
• Partner with Supply Chain/Planning to align production schedules with demand, inventory targets, and on-time delivery goals.
• Collaborate with Engineering on new product introductions, process qualifications, and manufacturability improvements.
• Work with Finance on cost accounting, standard costs, and margin improvement initiatives.
• Partner with HR on workforce planning, labor relations, compensation strategy, and organizational design across sites.
• Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, reporting operational performance and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and/or the board as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing operations leadership experience, including 5+ years leading multiple sites or a multi-plant network.
• Proven track record managing P&L, capital budgets, and operational KPIs across geographically dispersed facilities.
• Deep knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or comparable continuous improvement methodologies; certification (Lean/Six Sigma Green or Black Belt) preferred.
• Strong experience with ERP/MES systems and data-driven decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through others, build high-performing teams, and manage change across a diverse, multi-site organization.
• Working knowledge of OSHA, environmental regulations, and quality systems (ISO 9001 or equivalent).
• Experience in electronics, cable/connector, or precision component manufacturing a plus.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly (up to 40-50%) between facilities, including international travel as applicable.
• Executive-level communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership and the board.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost analysis.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills in a fast-paced, multi-site manufacturing environment.