Director of Operations

Department: Production

Reports To: General Manager

Location: Anaheim, CA

Effective/Revision Date: August 2026

Role Purpose

The Director of Operations leads the strategic and day-to-day manufacturing operations to ensure efficient production, high-quality output, on-time delivery, cost-effective performance, and a safe workplace. Reporting to the General Manager, this position is responsible for aligning manufacturing execution with Company business objectives through strategic planning, resource allocation, SIOP, long-term capacity planning, technology adoption, and organizational capability development. The Director drives operational excellence, scalability, and cultural transformation by developing high-performing leaders, strengthening cross-functional execution, and using data, Lean/Six Sigma methodologies, and disciplined performance management to improve results and support long-term growth.

Scope & Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement operational strategies, plans, and priorities that improve manufacturing efficiency, productivity, quality, delivery performance, and cost effectiveness.
• Lead and oversee daily manufacturing operations to ensure production targets, customer requirements, quality standards, and business objectives are achieved.
• Establish clear operational goals, performance expectations, and accountability across assigned manufacturing functions and leadership teams.
• Collaborate with the General Manager and senior leadership to align operational plans with Company goals, financial targets, customer commitments, and growth objectives.
• Analyze production data, operational metrics, capacity information, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify trends, risks, constraints, and improvement opportunities.
• Develop and implement corrective actions and improvement plans when operational performance does not meet established expectations.
• Drive continuous improvement using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other structured problem-solving methodologies to reduce waste, improve flow, increase throughput, and strengthen process capability.
• Oversee resource allocation, workforce planning, equipment utilization, and production capacity to support current demand and future growth.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain and Purchasing to support timely procurement of materials, outside processing, inventory requirements, and production continuity.

• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Planning, Maintenance, and Production leadership to resolve manufacturing issues, improve processes, and support successful execution of customer requirements.
• Coordinate cross-functional activities supporting new product introductions, production transfers, process changes, capacity expansions, and other strategic manufacturing initiatives.
• Support capital planning and facility expansion activities by identifying operational needs, evaluating equipment and infrastructure requirements, and coordinating implementation as assigned.
• Promote and maintain compliance with applicable safety, environmental, quality-system, customer, and regulatory requirements.
• Champion a strong culture of employee safety and promptly address known or potential safety concerns within areas of responsibility.
• Prepare and present operational reports, forecasts, KPI updates, capacity information, and improvement plans to the General Manager and executive leadership.
• Lead, coach, and develop operations managers, supervisors, and other assigned leaders; establish performance expectations and support leadership development and succession planning.
• Partner with Human Resources on staffing, employee development, performance management, training, and organizational planning within Operations.
• Promote effective communication, collaboration, accountability, and employee engagement across manufacturing functions.
• Evaluate operational processes, structures, systems, and technology and recommend improvements that support scalability, efficiency, and changing business requirements.
• Support digital transformation, ERP utilization, data analytics, and other technology-enabled improvements that strengthen operational visibility and decision-making.
• Maintain effective working relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders and represent Operations in business reviews or significant issue-resolution activities as required.
• Establish, maintain, and have direct responsibility for the Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) process, ensuring alignment of customer demand, production capacity, inventory, supply requirements, and operational priorities.
• Lead long-term capacity planning, technology adoption, and organizational capability development to scale manufacturing operations in support of business growth.
• Direct plant-floor execution across shifts, monitoring workflow, labor utilization, equipment effectiveness, material flow, production performance, and cost controls to optimize profitability and resource utilization.
• Maintain real-time alignment among production planning, scheduling, floor execution, customer demand, and shipping commitments to improve and sustain on-time delivery performance.
• Quickly identify and resolve production bottlenecks, quality issues, material-flow constraints, equipment concerns, and safety risks that could affect customer commitments or operational performance.
• Partner with the Quality Department to maintain and improve product quality through adherence to AS9100/ISO requirements, customer requirements, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Establish Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) goals and performance metrics consistent with business objectives and ensure site compliance with applicable governmental standards, permits, laws, and Company requirements.
• Establish clear KPI dashboards, regularly review and communicate operational metrics, hold teams accountable for results, and ensure timely corrective action plans are implemented when performance falls below expectations.

• Maintain visible leadership on the manufacturing floor, including participation in daily team communications, manufacturing performance reviews, and direct engagement with employees; spend approximately 20% or more of work time in manufacturing areas as operational needs require.
• Promote leadership development and succession planning at all levels within Operations to strengthen organizational capability and continuity.
• Apply strong financial acumen and understanding of relevant profit-and-loss drivers to operational decisions, cost controls, resource allocation, productivity initiatives, and capital planning.
• Lead change initiatives in complex or underperforming operations, establishing clear priorities, accountability, communication, and follow-through to achieve sustainable performance improvement.
• Maintain confidentiality of customer, Company, employee, financial, and work-related information and technical data.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support business needs.

Work Experience & Skills

Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field required. Master's degree in Business Administration, Engineering Management, or a related discipline preferred.

Experience: Minimum ten years of progressive manufacturing or industrial operations experience, including significant leadership responsibility for complex manufacturing operations and large teams. Demonstrated success leading operational change, improving underperforming operations, and driving measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity. Experience with SIOP, long-term capacity planning, Lean/Six Sigma, ERP systems, capital projects, and facility or operational expansion strongly preferred. Multi-site manufacturing experience is preferred.

Skills / Knowledge: Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality systems, safety/EHS requirements, production planning and scheduling, SIOP, resource allocation, capacity planning, logistics, maintenance, and operational performance management. Demonstrated expertise with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or related continuous improvement methodologies. Strong financial acumen with an understanding of relevant P&L drivers, cost controls, budgeting, and operational decision-making. Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret production data, KPI dashboards, financial targets, and operational trends. Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, ERP/manufacturing systems, and data analytics tools. Excellent leadership, strategic planning, change-management, organizational, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Personal Attributes: Strategic, results-oriented, collaborative, accountable, and safety-focused. Demonstrates sound judgment, strong leadership presence, effective communication, and the ability to develop high-performing teams. Able to manage competing priorities, lead through change, influence stakeholders at all levels, and maintain a strong commitment to operational excellence, quality, employee development, and continuous improvement.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Work is performed in both office and manufacturing environments and requires regular interaction with employees throughout the organization. The position requires frequent sitting, standing, and walking, including periodic presence on the manufacturing floor, as well as prolonged computer use and repetitive use of a keyboard and mouse. The employee may be exposed to industrial noise, moving mechanical equipment, fumes or airborne particles, metal materials, and temperature variations typical of a manufacturing environment. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn in designated areas. Occasional travel may be required to support business, customer, supplier, or operational activities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compliance Statements

Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran

ITAR Requirements

This position may include access to information that is subject to U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident (green card holder), refugee, asylee, or otherwise eligible to obtain the required U.S. Government authorization.