Director of Operations

A well-established and growing industrial manufacturer is seeking an experienced Director of Operations to lead a multi-department manufacturing operation. This executive leadership role is responsible for driving operational excellence across production, quality, safety, continuous improvement, maintenance, logistics, and materials while developing a high-performing leadership team.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on manufacturing leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-mix manufacturing environment and has a proven ability to improve operational performance through Lean manufacturing principles, accountability, and strong leadership.

• Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for all manufacturing operations.
• Develop, coach, and mentor plant leadership while building a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and employee engagement.
• Lead safety initiatives that promote a proactive, world-class safety culture.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives to improve throughput, reduce waste, improve quality, and increase profitability.
• Partner with cross-functional leaders including engineering, supply chain, maintenance, quality, and production to improve operational performance.
• Oversee production planning, inventory management, scheduling, and operational execution to ensure customer expectations are consistently met.
• Monitor key operational metrics including productivity, labor utilization, material costs, quality, scrap, rework, warranty performance, and on-time delivery.
• Develop and manage operating budgets and capital investment plans while identifying cost-saving opportunities.
• Establish and improve operational systems, processes, and standard work across the facility.
• Support new product introductions by collaborating with engineering and operations teams to improve manufacturability and production readiness.
• Foster a culture focused on continuous improvement, operational discipline, and customer satisfaction.

• 5+ years of senior manufacturing leadership experience with responsibility for multiple functional departments.
• Experience leading operations within a metal fabrication, heavy equipment, industrial manufacturing, or similar environment.
• Demonstrated success leading high-mix manufacturing operations.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience managing production, quality, maintenance, logistics, inventory, and operational performance metrics.
• Proven ability to build high-performing teams and develop front-line leaders.
• Excellent communication, coaching, and change management skills.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing operating budgets and capital expenditures.
• ERP experience required; exposure to manufacturing ERP systems is highly desirable.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline preferred.

Candidates with experience in industrial equipment, fabricated metal products, heavy manufacturing, agriculture, construction equipment, or similar engineered product environments are highly encouraged to apply.

• Strategic leadership balanced with a hands-on operational approach.
• A track record of improving safety, productivity, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence at every level of an organization.
• A passion for developing people and building a culture of continuous improvement.
• Experience leading organizations through growth, operational transformation, or performance improvement initiatives.