Director of Manufacturing Operations

Job Description

Job Description

Director of Manufacturing Operations

Greater Boston Area | On-site

About Us

Eastman is a renowned manufacturer of high-quality, handcrafted stringed, wind, percussion, and fretted instruments, ranging from student models to custom-built professional instruments. Founded by Qian Ni in 1992, Eastman blends traditional craftsmanship with innovative design to create exceptional instruments for musicians throughout the world.

About the Role

Eastman Music Company is seeking an experienced Director of Manufacturing Operations to lead manufacturing performance, operational excellence, process design, and continuous improvement across several of our U.S. manufacturing operations. These include S.E. Shires, a brass instrument manufacturer in the greater Boston area; Wm. S. Haynes, a flute manufacturer also located in the greater Boston area; Malletech, a percussion instrument manufacturer in New Jersey; and Bourgeois Guitars, a guitar manufacturer in Maine.

These locations produce premium professional instruments in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments where craftsmanship, precision, product quality, and specialized production methods are essential. This role requires a leader who can improve capacity, consistency, efficiency, and scalability while respecting the skilled craftsmanship and product standards that distinguish each business.

The ideal candidate will combine strong manufacturing leadership with a systems mindset and a deep understanding of production planning, inventory management, manufacturing costing, and business systems. Working closely with operations, finance, supply chain, product development, and ERP teams, the Director will strengthen manufacturing performance and create scalable processes that support long-term growth.

The successful candidate will be equally comfortable walking a production floor, evaluating a manufacturing process, reviewing production costs, or designing operational workflows that support effective execution.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Leadership & Team Development

· Lead and develop manufacturing teams across multiple facilities while building a culture of accountability, safety, quality, craftsmanship, and continuous improvement.

· Establish consistent operating practices and performance expectations while respecting the specialized products, processes, and cultures of each business.

Production Planning & Capacity

· Develop production and capacity strategies that balance customer demand, inventory objectives, skilled labor, product quality, and operational efficiency.

· Identify and remove constraints to improve throughput, lead times, capacity, and the successful introduction or expansion of production lines.

Manufacturing Costing & Systems

· Partner with finance and operations to improve product costing, inventory valuation, operational visibility, and data-driven decision-making.

· Work with ERP and business systems teams to strengthen BOMs, routings, workflows, controls, and manufacturing data integrity.

Inventory & Supply Chain

· Partner with supply chain and planning teams to improve material flow, production readiness, inventory accuracy, and work-in-process management.

· Support integrated planning processes that connect manufacturing capacity, inventory, customer demand, and business priorities.

Safety & Continuous Improvement

· Develop and maintain workplace safety programs, protocols, and practices that promote safe working environments across manufacturing operations.

· Lead continuous improvement and capital investment initiatives that deliver measurable gains in quality, productivity, efficiency, and long-term manufacturing capability.

Qualifications

Required

· Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in manufacturing, engineering, operations, supply chain, business, or a related field.

· 10+ years of progressive manufacturing and operations leadership with increasing levels of responsibility.

· Demonstrated success leading complex manufacturing organizations, developing leaders, and delivering measurable operational improvement.

· Strong command of production planning, capacity management, inventory optimization, manufacturing execution, and operational metrics.

· Working knowledge of manufacturing costing, inventory valuation, labor standards, overhead allocation, and operational finance.

· Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems, strong business acumen, and the ability to collaborate effectively across operational and executive teams.

Preferred

· Leadership background in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing involving premium, custom, engineered, or craftsmanship-based products.

· Experience with outsourced manufacturing or outside processing and with implementing or improving manufacturing ERP systems.

· Knowledge of BOM design, routings, by-products, co-products, work-in-process management, and product costing models.

· Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma certification; Acumatica ERP knowledge is a plus.

Benefits

· Medical, Dental, Vision

· Paid vacation, holidays and sick

· Matching 401(k)

Please, no unsolicited phone calls.

\nCompany Description

Established in 1992, Eastman began with a passion for making high-quality, hand-made
orchestral string instruments. Now encompassing the world class brands of Eastman Strings,
Eastman Winds, Wm. S. Haynes, S.E. Shires, Backun Musical Services, Laskey Mouthpieces, Eastman Europe, Eastman Australia, Flutes & Flutists and Willson Band. Eastman Music Company produces some of the finest wind and brass and string instruments for
musicians at all levels. Eastman Music Company is one of fastest growing and most exciting
companies to work for in the music industry today.

Company Description

Established in 1992, Eastman began with a passion for making high-quality, hand-made\r\norchestral string instruments. Now encompassing the world class brands of Eastman Strings,\r\nEastman Winds, Wm. S. Haynes, S.E. Shires, Backun Musical Services, Laskey Mouthpieces, Eastman Europe, Eastman Australia, Flutes & Flutists and Willson Band. Eastman Music Company produces some of the finest wind and brass and string instruments for\r\nmusicians at all levels. Eastman Music Company is one of fastest growing and most exciting\r\ncompanies to work for in the music industry today.