Director of Manufacturing

Director of Manufacturing# Director of Manufacturing Elkhart, IN 46514## Overview Salary Range$ - $ Salary/year

Level Management Position  Type Full Time Job Shift Day Education  Level4 Year Degree

Travel Percentage None Category Manufacturing ## Description# Director of Manufacturing
*
* Location:

** Elkhart County, Indiana   |
*
* Reports To:

** CEO
* * Department:
** Manufacturing / Operations   |
** FLSA Status:
** Exempt## Position Summary The Director of Manufacturing provides strategic and operational leadership for all manufacturing activities within a mid-size production facility of approximately 160 associates. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence, achieving production targets, and building a high-performance culture grounded in safety, quality, continuous improvement, and accountability. The Director serves as a key member of the site leadership team and works cross-functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and HR to support business growth and customer satisfaction.##

Key Responsibilities
** Operations & Production
*** Direct all day-to-day manufacturing operations to meet production schedules, cost targets, and quality standards.
* Develop and execute short- and long-range operational plans aligned with company strategy and customer demand.
* Monitor KPIs including OEE, throughput, scrap, on-time delivery, and cost-per-unit; take corrective action as needed.
* Oversee production planning and capacity management to optimize labor and equipment utilization.
* Partner with Supply Chain to ensure raw material availability and manage inventory levels effectively.
** People Leadership
*** Lead, develop, and retain a workforce of approximately 100 associates, including production supervisors, leads, and hourly employees.
* Foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable work environment consistent with company values.
* Partner with HR on talent acquisition, performance management, workforce planning, and associate engagement.
* Provide coaching, mentoring, and development opportunities to build a strong leadership pipeline.
* Conduct regular performance reviews and address performance issues promptly and professionally.
** Safety & Compliance
*** Champion a safety-first culture; ensure compliance with all OSHA regulations and company EHS policies.
* Drive continuous reduction in recordable incidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions.
* Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing manufacturing operations.
** Quality & Continuous Improvement
*** Drive a culture of quality and continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and/or other CI methodologies.
* Collaborate with the Quality team to ensure products meet or exceed customer specifications and internal standards.
* Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) processes for quality escapes and operational issues.
* Identify and implement process improvements that reduce waste, improve efficiency, and lower total cost.
** Financial Management
*** Develop and manage the manufacturing department budget; control labor, overhead, and material costs.
* Identify cost reduction opportunities and lead capital expenditure proposals and justifications.
* Report regularly on operational and financial performance to senior leadership.## Qualifications## Qualifications
** Education
* ** Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related field required.
* MBA or advanced degree preferred.
** Experience
* ** Minimum 5 years of progressive manufacturing experience, with at least 2 years in a senior leadership role.
* Proven track record managing a workforce of 100+ associates in a high-volume production environment.
* Experience in the RV, automotive, specialty vehicle, or industrial manufacturing sectors strongly preferred.
* Demonstrated success in driving Lean/CI initiatives with measurable business results.
** Skills & Competencies
*** Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence, inspire, and develop teams at all levels.
* Exceptional communication skills — written, verbal, and executive presentation.
* Data-driven decision maker with proficiency in ERP systems and manufacturing analytics tools.
* Solid working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, SMED, and value stream mapping.
* Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
* High integrity and commitment to safety, quality, and ethical business conduct.
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