Director of Operations
Listed on 2026-09-04
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Manufacturing / Production
Lean Manufacturing / Six Sigma, Operations Management, Manufacturing & Industrial Operations, Production Manager
Northern Chicago Suburbs, IL | $145K–$175K+
- Onsite 4X per week (~100 employees at this facility)
- Some travel to another U.S. facility as needed (~20 employees at 2nd facility)
- $145K–$175K+ base
- 15–18% annual bonus target
- Relocation assistance where applicable
- Medical, dental, vision, and company-funded HSA
- 401(k) with match, paid parental leave, life insurance, and disability
- Wellness, mental health, and family-building benefits
Our client is a global manufacturer of engineered finished products for professional and commercial markets seeking a Director of Operations to lead manufacturing strategy and performance across a multi-site business.
The ideal candidate will come from a whole-product manufacturing environment, preferably involving complex electromechanical finished products. Highly relevant backgrounds include power tools, cordless/pneumatic equipment, professional tools and equipment, appliances, consumer durables, and similar assembled products.
This is a broad manufacturing leadership role overseeing multiple plant functions while developing the managers responsible for day-to-day execution. The Director will balance operational performance with longer-term manufacturing strategy, continuous improvement, talent development, and growth initiatives.
Key Responsibilities- Lead manufacturing strategy, production planning, and performance across multiple facilities
- Oversee manufacturing operations and functions including engineering, maintenance, EHS, quality, and shipping/receiving
- Lead through plant/operations managers and develop a strong manufacturing leadership team
- Drive safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and overall operational performance
- Champion Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence
- Partner with engineering and product development on NPD/NPI, product launches, and manufacturing readiness
- Establish KPIs, operating rhythms, and accountability throughout the organization
- Drive cost reduction, capacity, productivity, and process improvements
- Develop managers capable of owning tactical execution while maintaining focus on longer-term strategy and growth
- BA/BS degree required; advanced degree preferred
- Director-level or comparable senior manufacturing/operations leadership experience
- Must-have experience leading the manufacturing of complete/whole finished products
- Strong preference for complex electromechanical finished products
- Highly relevant products include power tools, professional tools/equipment, cordless or pneumatic equipment, appliances, consumer durables, and similar assembled products
- Broad leadership experience across manufacturing plus engineering, quality, maintenance, EHS, production planning, and/or related plant functions
- Experience developing plant managers and manufacturing/operations leaders
- Multi-site manufacturing leadership strongly preferred
- Strong Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence experience
- Demonstrated success improving safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity
- NPD/NPI and product-launch experience preferred
- Six Sigma Black Belt, Green Belt, or similar certification preferred
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