Director of Operations

For an operations executive who believes performance is built on the shop floor – not in a conference room.

We are seeking a hands‑on Operations Director to lead Noratel’s manufacturing operations across three sites in the United States and Mexico.

Operations Director

Noratel North America | Hobart, Indiana – Chicago Area

Based in Hobart, Indiana, this role carries full operational responsibility for the North American manufacturing network, with accountability for on‑time delivery, productivity, cost, capacity utilization, inventory, and working‑capital performance.

This is not a head‑office leadership position. The successful candidate will spend significant time at the manufacturing sites, working directly with site leaders and operational teams to strengthen execution, embed Lean practices, improve manufacturing capability, and build a more efficient and resilient operating network.

The role reports directly to the SVP North America and requires regular travel to our site in Nogales, Mexico.

Noratel is a global manufacturer of custom power magnetics, serving demanding industry segments since 1925. As part of the Magnetics Division within discover IE Group, we benefit from a global network of specialized electronic component manufacturers. With more than 2,000 employees across 13 countries, Noratel combines local responsiveness with global engineering and production capabilities to deliver world‑class magnetic components.

• Lead operational performance across three manufacturing sites in the United States and Mexico
• Deliver improvements in on‑time delivery, productivity, operational efficiency, capacity utilization, and working capital
• Establish clear operational targets and ensure effective mitigation plans are in place when performance is at risk
• Ensure all sites operate fully within the safety and quality standards owned and led by the QHSE function

• Support the deployment of the Noratel Continuous Improvement system across all sites
• Drive the practical implementation of Lean manufacturing, 5S, daily management, and structured problem‑solving
• Deliver measurable and sustained improvements directly on the shop floor
• Standardize operational processes, tools, and routines across the network

• Own site‑level supply‑chain execution, including production planning, scheduling, WIP, finished‑goods inventory, warehousing, and logistics
• Establish robust S&OP and production‑planning disciplines across the network
• Improve inventory accuracy and reduce working capital while protecting customer delivery performance
• Partner with Procurement on purchased‑material inventory and supply continuity

• Drive disciplined use of ERP and MRP systems across the sites
• Strengthen data quality, system accuracy, and operational reporting
• Use Sage 500 or similar systems to support capacity planning, scheduling, materials management, and performance analysis

• Own operations‑led cost reduction across processes, labor, yield, and scrap
• Partner with Engineering on VAVE, industrialization, and new‑product introduction
• Provide manufacturability, should‑cost, and production input to engineering‑led initiatives
• Ensure new products are introduced efficiently, reliably, and at the right cost

• Lead the North American manufacturing footprint and capacity strategy
• Assess asset utilization, cost‑to‑serve, site configuration, and network efficiency
• Develop and execute optimization plans that improve resilience and prepare the business for future growth
• Lead capacity planning and prioritize capital investment across the sites

• Lead and develop Site Managers across the network
• Build strong operational leadership capability and succession plans at site level
• Create an accountable, engaged, and performance‑focused culture
• Develop and retain operational talent aligned with Noratel’s values and long‑term objectives

• Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical, or a related engineering discipline
• Master’s degree or MBA is…