Regional Director, Operations

Regional Director, Operations Department: Manufacturing | Master Department: Operations | Reports To: Associate Vice President of Manufacturing Operations, Security & Facilities Job Summary The Regional Director, Operations is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership for all manufacturing operations across the region. This role oversees Plant Managers and regional manufacturing leadership to ensure consistent execution of production goals, operational excellence, quality standards, employee safety, and regulatory compliance. Working closely with the Associate Vice President of Manufacturing Operations, Security & Facilities, the Regional Director, Operations translates enterprise manufacturing strategies into regional execution plans while driving productivity, labor optimization, cost management, continuous improvement, and operational standardization across multiple manufacturing sites. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, data‑driven leader with extensive multi‑site manufacturing experience who thrives in a fast‑paced, highly regulated production environment. Duties / Responsibilities Manufacturing Leadership Provide operational leadership for manufacturing facilities throughout an assigned region of two or more facilities. Lead Plant Managers and site leadership teams to consistently achieve production, quality, safety, and financial objectives. Ensure manufacturing operations remain compliant with all state cannabis regulations, GMP standards, SOPs, and company policies. Execute enterprise manufacturing strategies established by the AVP while adapting plans to regional business needs. Foster a culture centered on accountability, operational excellence, employee engagement, and continuous improvement. Operational Performance Monitor daily, weekly, and monthly manufacturing performance across all regional facilities. Establish regional performance goals aligned with enterprise KPIs. Drive improvements in: Production throughput Schedule attainment Labor productivity Equipment utilization Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) Waste reduction Yield improvement Cost per unit Analyze manufacturing trends and develop corrective action plans to improve operational performance. Continuous Improvement Champion Lean Manufacturing initiatives across all manufacturing sites. Standardize best practices, SOPs, and production workflows across regional operations. Lead Kaizen events and process improvement initiatives. Identify opportunities to increase capacity while reducing operating costs. Partner with Automation, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to improve manufacturing efficiency. Production Planning & Cross‑Functional Collaboration Partner closely with: Supply Chain Procurement Planning Automation Maintenance Quality Assurance Compliance Finance Human Resources Ensure production schedules are executed efficiently while maintaining inventory levels, staffing plans, and customer service expectations. Financial Management Manage regional manufacturing operating budgets. Monitor labor spending, overtime, manufacturing costs, and operational expenses. Identify opportunities to improve profitability through operational efficiencies. Support annual budgeting and forecasting activities. Participate in capital expenditure planning for equipment, automation, and facility improvements. Leadership & Talent Development Lead, coach, and develop Plant Managers and regional manufacturing leadership. Build high‑performing leadership teams through coaching, accountability, succession planning, and talent development. Drive employee engagement initiatives and leadership development programs. Support recruiting, onboarding, and retention of manufacturing leadership talent. Quality & Compliance Ensure all facilities consistently meet quality, food safety (where applicable), and cannabis regulatory requirements. Partner with Compliance and Quality teams to resolve operational issues and audit findings. Ensure corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs) are implemented and sustained. Promote a culture of operational discipline and regulatory compliance. Safety Promote a zero‑incident safety culture. Ensure compliance with OSHA requirements and company safety policies. Review incident trends and implement corrective actions. Partner with Environmental Health & Safety teams to continuously improve workplace safety. Reporting & Analytics Develop and maintain dashboards and reporting tools to monitor operational performance, productivity, quality, safety, labor efficiency, inventory, and cost performance across all regional manufacturing facilities. Provide regular operational performance updates, business reviews, and recommendations to the Associate Vice President of Manufacturing Operations, Security & Facilities. Required Skills / Abilities Demonstrated expertise leading multi‑site manufacturing operations and driving operational excellence through Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies. Demonstrated experience developing and executing continuous improvement programs across multiple manufacturing facilities. Demonstrated expertise in production planning, manufacturing scheduling, and capacity management. Experience developing, managing, and controlling manufacturing budgets and operational costs. KPI development, reporting, and performance management. Workforce and labor planning experience. Manufacturing analytics and data‑driven decision‑making. Experience with ERP systems and manufacturing software platforms. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Power BI. Strong leadership, coaching, mentoring, and organizational development capabilities. Exceptional verbal, written, and executive‑level communication skills. Strong presentation and stakeholder management abilities. Ability to influence cross‑functional teams and drive organizational change. Strategic problem‑solving and decision‑making skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities across several manufacturing locations. Strong project management and execution capabilities. High level of business acumen with a focus on productivity, quality, safety, and profitability. Ability to build collaborative partnerships across Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Compliance, Finance, Human Resources, Engineering, and Maintenance functions. Education and Experience Required Education Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. Required Experience 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience. 5+ years leading multi‑site manufacturing operations. Experience managing multiple manufacturing facilities simultaneously. Experience leading Plant Managers and regional manufacturing leadership teams. Experience within highly regulated manufacturing environments. Strong background in Lean Manufacturing, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. Demonstrated success improving productivity, quality, safety, and operational efficiency. Experience managing manufacturing budgets, labor planning, and operational performance metrics. Must be at least 21 years of age. Preferred Qualifications Preferred Education Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field. Preferred Industry Experience Cannabis Manufacturing Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Food & Beverage Manufacturing Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Consumer Products Manufacturing Automotive Manufacturing Other high‑volume manufacturing environments Preferred Certifications Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt Project Management Professional (PMP) APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM) APICS Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) Physical Requirements Ability to work in a manufacturing, warehouse, and production environment for extended periods. Ability to walk the production floor regularly and perform frequent site inspections. Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, and climb stairs throughout the workday. Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds occasionally. Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) and comply with all safety standards. Ability to work in varying manufacturing conditions, including exposure to noise, machinery, temperature fluctuations, and production‑related environments. Ability to operate standard office equipment and utilize computer systems for reporting, analysis, and communication. Ability to respond to operational issues outside of standard business hours when necessary. Travel Requirements Travel up to 15% as required. Periodic travel to other company manufacturing facilities, corporate offices, vendors, and industry events. Travel may be required for leadership meetings, training, continuous improvement initiatives, audits, and operational support activities. Work Schedule (Exempt) This is a full‑time, exempt position. The role requires the flexibility to work the hours necessary to meet business needs, which may include extended hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays. Work schedules and expectations may be adjusted based on operational priorities and organizational demands. On‑site presence may be required for team meetings, cross‑functional initiatives, business reviews, and other collaborative activities. Allergen Info Positions in our production facilities may lead to regular exposure to cannabis plant material, dust, and other potential allergens. Individuals with sensitivity to pollen, molds, or strong odors may experience discomfort. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided and required. EEOC DreamFields is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. #J-18808-Ljbffr