Director of Operations

** Director of Operations - Printing / Graphics Manufacturing*
* *
* Location:

Rochester, NY*
* ** Pay Range: $140,000-$160,000*
* Manpower is assisting a fantastic company located in Rochester, NY with hiring a Director of Operations  to lead their manufacturing operations. The Director of Operations  will serve as a key operational leader responsible for driving performance across our client's production facility. This role is instrumental in managing, communicating, and reinforcing the company's commitment to leading-edge manufacturing through high safety and quality standards, while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership position within a family-owned organization, requiring close partnership with the Owner/CEO, CFO, IT, and Production Leadership teams. The Plant Manager will oversee all production operations, including five shifts and approximately 140 production associates, ensuring efficient, high-quality output aligned with customer expectations-particularly within school printing programs.

A major focus of this role will be optimizing and advancing the recently implemented Print Vis (Microsoft-based ERP) system, with emphasis on scheduling, training, and continuous system improvements.

** Key Responsibilities*
* ** Operational Leadership*
* + Oversee daily plant operations across five shifts (A, B, C, and weekend D & E shifts) to meet production, safety, quality, and cost objectives.

+ Lead a team of Production Managers (direct reports) and indirectly manage approximately 140 production associates in a 170-person facility.

+ Maintain a strong floor presence and hands-on leadership approach to ensure operational excellence.

** Team Leadership & Culture*
* + Lead, coach, and develop Production Managers and front-line leaders to build high-performing, accountable teams.

+ Effectively manage and navigate strong personalities within a diverse workforce.

+ Foster an inclusive, team-oriented culture within a bilingual (English/Spanish) environment.

** Continuous Improvement & Systems Optimization*
* + Champion continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing and problem-solving methodologies.

+ Collaborate with all department leads on new software improvements, regular training on software development and changes

+ Lead ongoing optimization of the Print Vis (Microsoft platform) system, particularly its scheduling functionality.

+ Partner cross-functionally with IT and production teams to gather operator feedback and implement system enhancements.

+ Support training initiatives to improve system adoption and performance.

** Safety, Quality & Compliance*
* + Champion workplace safety, ensuring compliance with OSHA, environmental regulations, and internal policies.

+ Drive quality standards to meet customer specifications, particularly for high-volume school printing work.

+ Reduce process variation and cost of non-conformance through structured improvement initiatives.

** Cross-Functional Collaboration*
* + Collaborate with Owner/CEO, CFO, and senior leadership to align operational strategy with business goals.

+ Work closely with Scheduling, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and Process Engineering to optimize production flow and equipment performance.

+ Partner with R&D and IT teams to support automation and system-driven process improvements.

** Financial & Performance Management*
* + Manage plant budget, monitor KPIs, and implement cost optimization strategies.

+ Analyze operational data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.

+ Provide regular reporting on plant performance, strategic initiatives, and operational challenges.

** Qualifications*
* +  
** 5+ years of Plant Manager or senior manufacturing leadership experience within the printing / graphics industry (required)*
* + Strong hands-on leadership style with experience managing complex, multi-shift manufacturing operations

+ Proven ability to implement systems, drive change, and lead teams through operational transformation

+

Experience with ERP/MIS systems (Print Vis or similar preferred), particularly in scheduling and production workflows

+ Demonstrated success in Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and automation initiatives

+ Ability to manage and influence diverse teams, including bilingual environments (Spanish/English preferred)

+ Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound decisions aligned with company policies and standards

+ Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills

+ Strong analytical ability with experience interpreting operational and performance data

+ High attention to detail with strong execution and multitasking capabilities

+ Technical writing ability for operational procedures, training materials, and process documentation

+ Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with Microsoft-based production systems is a plus

Are you Interested?

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