Director of Operations

The Director of Operations is responsible for leading all manufacturing operations to achieve world-class performance in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement. This role provides strategic and tactical leadership across production, continuous improvement, supply chain coordination, maintenance, and operational excellence initiatives. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with extensive Lean Manufacturing experience and a proven ability to drive organizational change, improve operational performance, and build a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. The Director of Operations will lead transformation efforts utilizing Lean principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and change management strategies to optimize manufacturing processes, increase productivity, reduce waste, and support business growth objectives. Responsibilities Direct and oversee all manufacturing operations to ensure safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives are consistently achieved Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with company goals and growth initiatives Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive operational excellence and continuous improvement Lead production planning, capacity management, labor optimization, and resource allocation activities Collaborate with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Sales, and Finance to ensure alignment across the organization Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement Champion Lean Manufacturing principles throughout the organization and drive a culture of continuous improvement Lead Kaizen events, Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Standard Work, Visual Management, SMED, and other Lean initiatives Identify and eliminate waste across manufacturing and business processes to improve productivity and profitability Drive measurable improvements in OEE, throughput, inventory turns, lead times, scrap reduction, and labor efficiency Implement sustainable systems that support operational excellence and long-term business growth Serve as a transformational leader capable of driving significant operational and cultural change Develop and execute change management strategies that improve employee engagement and organizational effectiveness Build alignment across all levels of the organization during periods of growth, restructuring, or process transformation Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning Communicate operational goals, progress, and expectations clearly throughout the organization Team Development Lead, coach, and develop plant managers, supervisors, and operational leaders Create succession plans and talent development strategies to strengthen organizational capability Promote employee involvement in continuous improvement initiatives and problem-solving activities Build a culture centered on safety, teamwork, respect, and operational discipline Financial & Business Performance Manage operational budgets and capital expenditures Drive cost reduction initiatives while maintaining quality and customer service standards Support annual operating plans, forecasting, and strategic business planning Analyze operational data and financial metrics to identify opportunities for performance improvement Ensure effective utilization of equipment, labor, and facility resources Safety, Quality & Compliance Champion a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with all OSHA and regulatory requirements Partner with Quality leadership to drive customer satisfaction and product quality improvements Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards, policies, and procedures Lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts related to safety, quality, and operational issues Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Business, or a related field required MBA or advanced degree preferred Experience 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience 5+ years in a Director-level or senior operational leadership role Demonstrated success leading Lean Manufacturing transformations in a complex manufacturing environment Proven ability to lead organizational change and improve operational performance Experience managing multi-functional teams and developing future leaders Background in automotive, industrial manufacturing, consumer products, engineered products, or related manufacturing environments #J-18808-Ljbffr