Director of Operations

Director of Operations

A growing defense technology company in the Salt Lake City area is seeking a Director of Operations to lead and scale its production and supply chain functions. This is an opportunity to join a small, innovative team that designs and develops advanced consumer and defense-related products, where precision, quality, and reliability are at the heart of every build.

The ideal candidate thrives in a hands-on environment and enjoys building systems and structure from the ground up. You'll oversee end-to-end operations, from supply chain and vendor management to assembly, quality control, and ERP integration, ensuring that efficiency, throughput, and quality move in lockstep as the company scales.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an operations strategy that drives measurable improvements in efficiency, quality, and cost.
• Oversee relationships with external manufacturing partners and component suppliers, ensuring consistent delivery and adherence to specifications.
• Lead internal assembly operations; optimizing layout, workflow, and labor utilization to maximize output and minimize waste.
• Implement and leverage ERP tools to monitor production, inventory, and key performance metrics.
• Establish and maintain robust quality control standards and inspection processes across all phases of production.
• Manage inventory and capacity planning in alignment with forecasted demand.
• Build and lead a small, high-performing team focused on operational excellence, safety, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years of progressive experience in operations, manufacturing, or supply chain leadership.
• Experienced in small or mid-size environments where much of the manufacturing is outsourced.
• Skilled in process optimization, lean manufacturing principles, and time/motion efficiency.
• Strong ERP experience; able to translate data and system insights into real-world process improvements.
• Proven success managing vendors, negotiating contracts, and maintaining quality standards across complex supply chains.
• Natural leader who can coach teams, create structure, and bring order to a fast-moving, entrepreneurial setting.

This is a unique chance to join a company at a pivotal moment of growth, where your operational expertise will have a visible and lasting impact. You'll work alongside a talented engineering and product development team, helping bring innovative ideas from concept to production at scale.