Director of Operations

Director of Manufacturing Operations

We are seeking an experienced manufacturing leader to join our team as Director of Manufacturing Operations in Appleton, Wisconsin. This high-impact leadership role is responsible for driving operational excellence across a complex, highly configurable manufacturing environment while ensuring the achievement of safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost objectives.

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Manufacturing, the Director of Manufacturing Operations will provide leadership across fabrication, welding, assembly, materials flow, and production support functions. This individual will play a critical role in executing manufacturing strategy, developing high-performing teams, and driving continuous improvement initiatives that support customer satisfaction and business performance.

This position is one of three manufacturing leadership roles supporting operations and offers the opportunity to make a significant impact within a growing and innovative manufacturing organization.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading day-to-day manufacturing operations to consistently achieve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost targets.
• Fostering a safety-first culture focused on accountability, teamwork, employee engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Executing manufacturing strategies and operational priorities established by executive leadership.
• Implementing and sustaining Team Daily Management systems to drive accountability, problem-solving, communication, and operational discipline.
• Driving Lean Manufacturing initiatives focused on waste reduction, process standardization, throughput improvement, and operational efficiency.
• Partnering closely with Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, Materials, Maintenance, and Safety teams to ensure operational readiness and production continuity.
• Supporting the implementation of automation, advanced manufacturing technologies, and Industry 4.0 initiatives to improve operational performance.
• Developing, mentoring, and coaching manufacturing leaders and frontline teams to build a high-performance culture.
• Establishing, monitoring, and improving key performance indicators related to safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, and operational reliability.
• Leading efforts to improve manufacturing performance while maintaining exceptional product quality and customer satisfaction.

Required qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field; equivalent experience will also be considered.
• 12+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience within a complex manufacturing environment, including highly customized or engineered-to-order products.
• Proven experience leading large-scale manufacturing operations with accountability for safety, quality, delivery, and operational performance.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, materials flow, production systems, and operational execution.
• Demonstrated success implementing Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience leading operations within heavy equipment, industrial manufacturing, specialty vehicles, or other highly configurable manufacturing environments.
• Proven track record of leading operational excellence, manufacturing transformation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience implementing automation, advanced manufacturing technologies, robotics, or Industry 4.0 solutions.
• Strong cross-functional leadership experience partnering with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Materials, and Operations teams.
• Experience managing operational budgets, performance metrics, and large-scale improvement initiatives.
• Prior responsibility for leading large manufacturing organizations across multiple production functions.

This is an opportunity to lead a critical manufacturing operation with significant visibility and impact. You'll partner directly with executive leadership, influence strategic manufacturing initiatives, and help shape the future of a world-class production organization while leading teams focused on operational excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.

EOE (including Disability/Veterans)