Director of Production

About the job Location: Salt Lake City, Utah | On-site Type: Full-time, Exempt Reports to: Chief Executive Officer Compensation: $120,000 - $150,000 base + 15% target annual bonus The Company National Water Services, backed by TowerBrook Capital Partners, is a mission-driven water company based in Salt Lake City that operates FreshPure(R) Waters and Arctic Mountain branded bulk water vending and refill stations in more than 1,000 natural and conventional grocery stores across the United States and Canada. Launched in 1991, the business delivers exceptionally pure drinking water at accessible prices while reducing single-use plastic by encouraging customers to refill their own containers. Its systems are most often found in retailers such as Whole Foods and Sprouts, where shoppers value sustainability, wellness and high-quality water. National Water Services designs, builds and maintains the in-store purification and dispensing systems themselves - reverse osmosis, deionized and high-pH alkaline water. The company differentiates from typical grocery-store water vending through commercial-grade technology, multi-step purification, permanent alkalization that mimics natural mineralization, and a field service model that sustains greater than 99% machine uptime. Role Overview Reporting to the CEO, the Director of Production will lead production, process improvement, quality and manufacturing execution in a low mix, low volume environment as the company grows and prepares for 3-5x scale over the next several years. This is a critical leadership role responsible for making Utah a world-class production hub while providing oversight to an established contract manufacturing partner in New York. The successful candidate will be a builder of systems and teams who installs a formal Lean operating cadence, KPI dashboards and production planning discipline where much of it does not yet exist. They will own the end-to-end production lifecycle - through assembly, final test and readiness for field deployment - and coordinate closely with the service organization so that every system leaving the factory performs reliably in demanding retail environments. Key Responsibilities Production Leadership Lead end-to-end in-house production of dispensing and processing systems, from assembly through final test and shipment Own daily performance across safety, quality, delivery and cost, ensuring reliable output that supports installation and field service commitments Establish and report the production KPI set - schedule attainment, first-pass yield, scrap and rework, build cost per unit, on-time shipment and safety Absorb sustained annual growth of roughly 40-50% while preparing people, processes and systems for 3-5x scale Contract Manufacturing Provide oversight to the contract manufacturing partner in New York, ensuring alignment on cost, quality, delivery and capacity, with a defined program cadence and escalation path Qualify and develop additional external partners to augment internal capacity and provide supply resilience Support demand and supply reconciliation and clear-to-build discipline so that build plans are grounded in real material availability Manufacturing Strategy and Utah Scale Define and execute a multi-year manufacturing roadmap with clear capacity, capability and capital investment milestones tied to the growth plan Stabilize and optimize the consolidated Salt Lake City operation following the 2026 facility move, driving layout, flow and capacity improvements from a settled footprint Plan capacity, staffing, layout and capital needs in close partnership with the Finance team, and build and coach the Utah production leadership team Quality, Reliability and Process Discipline Own production quality performance from incoming inspection through final test, maintaining and building on a strong quality foundation Ensure documented method on the floor - released work instructions, standard work and validated cycle times under document control Partner with engineering to ensure process driven change control, with manufacturing assessment and documentation updated before change reaches the floor Sustain product conformity and third-party listing requirements for equipment deployed in retail environments Lean Operating System and Cross-functional Collaboration Install and sustain a formal Lean operating cadence - tiered daily huddles, Gemba walks, visual management and structured problem solving Implement and refine KPI dashboards and production planning routines that make performance transparent and guide decisions Drive design-for-manufacturability and design-for-assembly discipline with engineering, from concept review through production release Align closely with field operations, finance and commercial teams so production capability supports customer and growth commitments Team Leadership, Culture and Workforce Development Build, develop and retain a high-performing production organization, elevating existing leaders while adding capability where needed Foster a culture of safety, accountability and pride in craftsmanship, with visible, hands-on presence on the factory floor Build trust across a diverse, multilingual workforce, creating an environment where operators and technicians feel heard, respected and able to contribute ideas Professional Qualifications Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, industrial management or a related field, or equivalent experience Typically 7 or more years in manufacturing, production or operations leadership within light industrial or electro-mechanical assembly environments Hands-on experience operating within a formal Lean or Lean Six Sigma system - daily management cadence, KPI dashboards and standardized production planning - and the readiness to install and sustain one Experience inside a production operation through sustained volume growth, with the readiness to lead that scale-up directly - well suited to a strong production leader stepping into a first Director seat, as well as to a sitting Director Experience in low-volume, low-mix or configured-to-order manufacturing, where documented method and change control matter more than volume automation Experience overseeing multi-step assembly processes spanning mechanical, electrical and fluid systems Proven ability to build, develop and professionalize production teams, including frontline leaders, supervisors and technical staff Exposure to contract manufacturing as a build partner or customer, with the readiness to own the relationship on cost, quality, delivery and capacity Working command of ERP or MRP as an operating system - routings, work orders, material transactions and inventory accuracy Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to build trust on the floor and partner effectively with engineering, field operations, finance and executive leadership Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, with periodic travel to the contract manufacturing partner in New York and to key suppliers and partners Personal Qualifications Mission-driven operator who cares about sustainability, product quality and customer experience Hands-on, floor-present leader who earns trust by engaging directly with teams and processes rather than managing from a distance Systems thinker who moves comfortably between long-term manufacturing strategy and day-to-day execution detail, calm and solutions-oriented under pressure Collaborative and low-ego, able to navigate ambiguity and guide teams through rapid change Able to professionalize an operation while honoring and elevating the existing culture and leaders Strong people leader who develops talent, with high integrity and a strong sense of ownership and follow-through What We Offer Competitive base salary and performance-based bonus tied directly to growth A seat at the leadership table, with direct access to the CEO and the leadership team The opportunity to build - shape the manufacturing strategy and leave a mark on it Benefits include medical, dental, vision, retirement, PTO and Holidays Benefits are available to all W-2 employees in positions listed as Full-Time or scheduled 30+ hours per week, per the terms of each plan. FLSA Classification This position is classified as exempt under the executive exemption of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The primary duty is management of the production department; the position customarily and regularly directs the work of two or more full-time employees, and its recommendations on hiring, advancement and other changes in employment status are given particular weight. The position is paid on a salary basis and is not eligible for overtime compensation. Equal Employment Opportunity National Water Services, LLC (dba FreshPure Waters) is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law. FreshPure Waters provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs in accordance with applicable law. Applicants who require accommodation during the application or interview process may contact View email address on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr Socket