Director of Operations

Katy Spring & Manufacturing, Inc. is a privately held custom spring and metal-forming manufacturer headquartered in Katy, Texas, just west of Houston. Founded in 1999, the company specializes in the design, engineering, and production of precision metal springs, wire forms, stampings, and other custom metal components for industrial applications.

The Director of Operations oversees all Department Managers to ensure operational efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement, while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and teamwork. The Director of Operations is accountable for operational execution, staff development at all levels, and cross-functional alignment to ensure predictable delivery, strong margins, and organizational stability.

• Quality Assurance Manager (QA and QC)
• Production Planner (Planning, Inventory control, Shipping and receiving)
• Production Supervisors (all production departments)
• Maintenance Manager (Reactive and preventative maintenance of equipment & facility)

• Enforce strict adherence to safety regulations, company policies, and industry best practices.
• Ensure all employees follow proper safety protocols when operating machinery, handling materials, or working with hazardous chemicals or processes.
• Own the organization's KPI performance, including overseeing or conducting root cause analysis, corrective action reporting and corrective action implementation of any non-conforming KPI’s.

• Own and manage the full operating budget.
• Approve operating expenditures within approved budget parameters.
• Ensure disciplined inventory.
• Develop and implement lean manufacturing initiatives, process enhancements, and cost-reduction strategies to improve productivity, minimize waste, and drive operational excellence.
• Oversee organization of work spaces following 6S principles.

• Drive on-time delivery and schedule adherence
• Ensure efficient, well-coordinated manufacturing operations across departments
• Reduce unplanned downtime and overtime dependency
• Maintain a structured operating cadence (daily and weekly)
• Optimize staffing, resource utilization, and shop floor organization to meet production demands
• Lead hiring, develop, and performance management within operations.

• Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, annual performance reviews, and professional development opportunities to enhance employee skills, increase retention of key talent, and build a strong leadership pipeline.
• Build accountability culture across departments.

• Address employee concerns and performance issues proactively in collaboration with HR and senior management.
• Foster open communication and a positive work environment.

• Ensure full compliance with company policies, OSHA regulations, environmental laws, ISO compliance, and legal requirements to mitigate risks and maintain operational integrity.
• Foster a positive and productive work environment by maintaining team discipline, morale, and adherence to company policies, while encouraging collaboration and high performance.
• Actively promote Katy Spring's 12 Points of Culture, embedding the company's values into daily operations.

• 10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience with proven success in operational improvement, cost control, and financial performance.
• Excellent time management, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead, mentor, and motivate diverse teams effectively.
• Experience leading supervisors and mid-level managers directly.
• Demonstrated history of margin improvement and cost control.
• Sustainable operational performance with minimal executive intervention.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related field.
• Experience in custom or engineered manufacturing environments.
• Strong project leadership skills with experience in LEAN or Six Sigma methodologies.
• Minimum of 5 years' leadership experience in the spring manufacturing industry.
• Multi-shift operational leadership experience.