DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Midwest

The Position

Our client seeks a Director of Operations who will be responsible for leading all operations and functions at a vertically integrated manufacturing facility.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead cross-functional teams to execute operational plans while delivering best-in-class safety, quality, service levels and cost.
• Establish manufacturing strategies, footprint and space planning needed to support business growth and customer requirements effectively and efficiently.
• Instill operational disciplines and best practices throughout the leadership team and on the plant floor; 5S, Gemba walks, metrics/ KPIs/ dashboards, data-driven and financially sound decision making, workforce agility (cross training), etc.
• Ensure close communication and coordination with Global Operations and New Product Development teams to proactively support launches.
• Identify gaps and optimize processes, systems, technologies and flow through the entire value stream of the operations to drive productivity, reduce costs and increase quality.
• Ensure close communication and coordination with cross-functional teams.

Bachelor's degree in operations management, engineering, business or a technical field.

Twelve-plus years of progressive manufacturing experience, with at least five years in factory management.

Experience in hand tool manufacturing or related processes (e.g., injection molding, stamping, assembly, automation and printing) in both high-volume and made-to-order environments.

Background that includes strategic short- and long-term planning, Profit and Loss (P/L) and Quality Systems Regulations.

Solid understanding of Lean principles, Six Sigma and continuous improvement.

Demonstrated strong business judgment and decision-making skills with the ability to identify, prioritize and articulate the highest impact initiatives.

Knowledge of safety, regulatory and government agencies.

Strong fundamentals in Enterprise Resource Planning / Material Planning systems.

Additional soft skills that include transparency, a sense of urgency, an extreme ownership mindset, a customer-focused bias, a transformational outlook and a "one team" leadership style.

Travel requirements: 10-15% mostly local and some international.