Director of Operations

Chief Operating Officer

Salary Exempt

Responsible for all aspects of the daily operation of the converting facility, including safety, quality, production, maintenance, and delivery performance for our contract manufacturing facility. Provides oversight of machinery, plant, and equipment engineering, maintenance strategy, and capital projects. Assures that company philosophy, goals, and vision are understood and fulfilled. Serves on the leadership team and acts as the intermediary with middle and upper management.

Builds and develops a high-performing workforce and creates and maintains an atmosphere that values input from all employees.

Leads approximately 7 direct and 100 indirect reports across 3 shifts; manages an annual operating budget of approximately $85M.

• Creates and promotes a safe and efficient working environment; leads the site safety program and ensures compliance with OSHA and other applicable regulations.
• Works with quality assurance on quality improvements and facilitates root cause problem-solving; supports maintenance of the ISO 9001 quality management system and BRCGS food safety certification, including audits and corrective actions.
• Champions continuous improvement using Lean and other structured problem-solving methods to improve OEE, reduce waste and changeover time, and lower conversion costs.
• Responsible for all daily issues with safety, quality, manufacturing, customer satisfaction, delivery, and maintenance and resolves them in a timely and professional manner.
• Develops, implements, and monitors day-to-day operational systems and processes that provide visibility into goals, progress, and obstacles for our key initiatives.
• Leverages ERP, MES, and production data to drive decisions; supports automation and digital initiatives that improve throughput, quality, and real-time visibility.
• Oversees activities of the managers responsible for the daily manufacturing operation.
• Evaluates performance of direct reports as well as hires and terminates managerial production staff.
• Leads workforce planning, including recruiting, onboarding, cross-training, and skills development programs for production and maintenance personnel.
• Develops succession plans for key roles and implements engagement and retention initiatives.
• Works with supervisors and Human Resources on disciplinary concerns and employee relations matters.
• Keeps current with manufacturing technology, including equipment, building and grounds, environmental, and safety.
• Coordinates with maintenance, engineering, and production on upgrades to existing equipment and installing new equipment.
• Provides technical support and resources to maintenance and engineering.
• Develops and manages the operating budget and is responsible for addressing variances.
• Leads the annual capital plan, including project justification (ROI), equipment selection, installation, and commissioning, delivering projects on time and within budget.
• Oversees production planning and scheduling to meet customer commitments; participates in sales and operations planning (S&OP) and manages capacity, labor, and inventory to support contract manufacturing customers.
• Serves on the company leadership team and participates in strategic planning.
• Works with customer service, sales, suppliers, and other outside organizations as required to solve problems or answer concerns.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Operating Officer.

• Bachelor’s degree in Management or Engineering (MBA preferred) or equivalent progressive work history.
• Minimum of ten years of manufacturing experience, including at least five years in a leadership role managing…