Director of Operations

Director of OperationsLocus Fermentation Solutions is a USA-Based Biotech company delivering powerful bio-based solutions across four primary markets: oil & gas, mining, agriculture, and industrial/CPG. We specialize in high-performance intermediary formulations and produce glycolipids and microbes that act as formulation enhancers- pushing performance beyond the limits of conventional chemistry.Our mission is to push the boundaries of traditional chemistry by using glycolipid and microbial additives as powerful formulation amplifiers that drive superior performance and sustainability across global industries.We are looking for creative and collaborative outside-the-box thinkers who thrive in fast paced, entrepreneurial style environments.As the Director of Operations, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the company's fermentation, production, agricultural, and related operational activities. You will be responsible for leading a high-performing operations organization capable of safely and efficiently meeting current production demands while preparing for future growth.You will work closely with the Vice President of Operations and cross-functional teams to establish operational priorities, develop scalable processes, improve productivity, and manage costs. This role will oversee operational performance across multiple functions and locations, using data and key performance indicators to identify opportunities, resolve challenges, and drive continuous improvement.You will lead and develop Operations leadership, while fostering a culture of accountability, ownership, collaboration, safety, and operational excellence. This is a highly visible leadership role for someone who can balance long-term strategic planning with a willingness to be actively engaged in day-to-day operations, problem-solving, and decision-making.Location: Solon, OHKey ResponsibilitiesOperational Strategy & LeadershipProvide strategic and operational leadership for the company's fermentation, production, agricultural, and related operational activities.Develop and execute operational strategies that support the company's growth objectives, production requirements, customer commitments, and financial goals.Establish long-term operational plans, including capacity planning, resource requirements, staffing, infrastructure, and process improvements.Partner with Vice President of Operations and other functional leaders to establish operational priorities and performance goals.Translate company objectives into actionable departmental strategies, goals, and measurable KPIs.Lead, develop, and hold accountable Operations leadership and team members to achieve established safety, quality, production, cost, and delivery objectives.Production & Process OwnershipProvide overall leadership and accountability for the execution of production plans and operational performance, ensuring safe, reliable, efficient, and scalable operations.Oversee fermentation and production processes, evaluating equipment, workflows, capacity, and performance to identify risks, constraints, and opportunities for improvement.Develop and implement strategies to increase capacity, productivity, yield, and quality while reducing operational costs.Establish systems, metrics, and processes that provide visibility into production performance, progress, risks, and obstacles.Partner with R&D, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and other cross-functional teams to successfully transfer, scale, and commercialize processes and products.Continuous Improvement & Operational ExcellenceLead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, quality, productivity, capacity utilization, cost efficiency, and overall operational performance.Use operational and financial data to identify trends, resolve performance gaps, prioritize improvement opportunities, and support data-driven decision-making.Develop and standardize processes, systems, and operating procedures that improve consistency, scalability, and execution.Foster a culture of accountability, problem-solving, continuous improvement, and operational excellence across the organization.People & Resource ManagementPartner with Vice President of Operations and Finance to develop and manage operational budgets, including labor, materials, equipment, maintenance, capital expenditures, and other operating costs.Monitor operational spending and identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency while maintaining safety, quality, and production requirements.Evaluate capital equipment, infrastructure, and technology needs and develop business cases for operational investments.Provide leadership, coaching, development, and succession planning for Operations leaders and key personnel.Partner with Human Resources and other leaders on workforce planning, talent acquisition, employee development, and performance management.Foster collaboration and effective communication across all business functionsPromote a culture of safety, accountability, ownership, collaboration, and continuous improvement.Safety, Quality & ComplianceEnsure operational activities comply with applicable company policies, safety requirements, quality standards, SOPs, and regulatory requirements.Partner with EHS and Quality leadership to establish and maintain effective systems for safety, quality, compliance, and risk management.Ensure appropriate corrective and preventive actions are implemented to address significant operational or compliance issues.Promote a strong culture of employee safety, environmental responsibility, product quality, and operational discipline.Multi-Site & Organizational OversightProvide operational oversight across multiple facilities or locations as applicable.Ensure consistency in operational practices, performance expectations, and reporting across locations.Assess operational capacity and infrastructure needs to support expansion, new products, increased production volumes, and changing business demands.Travel between company locations as necessary to provide leadership, oversight, and support.Qualifications & RequirementsBachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related scientific or technical field required; Master's degree preferred.10+ years of progressive operations, manufacturing, production, process engineering, or related experience, including significant leadership responsibility.5+ years of experience leading managers, supervisors, or technical/operations teams in a manufacturing, industrial, biotechnology, chemical, fermentation, food, agricultural, or similarly regulated production environment.Experience with fermentation, biological manufacturing, biotechnology, chemical processing, or other batch or continuous process manufacturing strongly preferred.Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement certification or experience preferred.Experience developing and managing operational budgets, forecasts, capital projects, and resource plans.Experience establishing and managing operational KPIs and using data to drive performance and decision-making.Experience working with ERP, manufacturing, production planning, and business management systems; NetSuite experience preferred.Experience managing operations across multiple facilities or locations preferred.Strong business acumen and understanding of the relationship between operations, financial performance, customer requirements, and organizational growth.Exceptional leadership, communication, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.Physical Requirements:Ability to regularly walk and move throughout production facilities and operational areas to observe processes, interact with employees, assess operational performance, and address issues.Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb stairs, and reach as necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.Ability to safely navigate manufacturing and operational environments, including stairs, platforms, uneven surfaces, wet floors, and other industrial conditions.Ability to visually inspect equipment, processes, materials, work areas, and operational conditions and identify potential safety, quality, or performance concerns.Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), which may include safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, protective footwear, laboratory or production garments, and respiratory protection where required.Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull materials, equipment, tools, or supplies as necessary to support operational activities.Ability to travel between company facilities and other locations as required.Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.Work Environment:Work is performed across a combination of office, laboratory, production, warehouse, and agricultural operational environments.Production and warehouse areas are generally temperature-controlled but may vary seasonally, typically ranging from approximately 50°F to 80°F, with occasional exposure to warmer or cooler conditions.The work environment may include exposure to moderate noise from operating equipment, including mixers, centrifuges, pumps, filling systems, and other production machinery.Work may involve exposure to biological materials, chemicals, fermentation processes, dust, odors, and other materials associated with manufacturing and agricultural operations.The position may require navigating wet floors, stairs, platforms, uneven surfaces, and other conditions commonly associated with manufacturing and agricultural operations.Occasional exposure to outdoor conditions may occur when moving between facilities or supporting agricultural, shipping