SummaryThe Director of North American Operations is responsible for the operational performance of all manufacturing facilities across North America. This role requires a hands-on manufacturing leader with deep operational experience who actively engages with plant leadership, production teams, and support functions to drive safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people performance. The Director translates corporate strategy into executable operating plans and ensures consistent execution across all sites
Key ResponsibilitiesOperational Leadership (Hands-On)- Maintain regular on-site presence at manufacturing facilities to directly assess operations, performance, and risks.
- Lead plant leadership teams in daily and weekly operational reviews, problem-solving, and corrective actions.
- Provide direct operational support during production disruptions, quality escapes, safety incidents, or customer escalations.
- Drive standardized operating practices across all North American sites.
Safety, Quality & Compliance- Hold full accountability for safety performance and regulatory compliance across all facilities.
- Ensure adherence to OHSA, OSHA, CSA, EPA, and customer-specific requirements.
- Lead root-cause investigations and corrective actions for safety and quality incidents.
Manufacturing Excellence & Continuous Improvement- Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
- Standardize KPIs, visual management, and operating rhythms across plants.
- Lead productivity, efficiency, and cost-reduction initiatives without compromising quality or safety.
Financial & Commercial Accountability- Own operational budgets, cost control, and labor efficiency across North America.
- Review and approve capital expenditures, staffing plans, and major operational investments.
- Partner with finance on forecasting, margin improvement, and operational cost modeling.
People Leadership & Talent Development- Lead, coach, and develop Plant Managers and senior operations leaders.
- Establish performance expectations and accountability for leadership behaviors and results.
- Drive succession planning, leadership development, and workforce stability initiatives.
Supply Chain & Customer Interface- Collaborate with supply chain teams to ensure material availability, inventory optimization, and supplier performance.
- Act as an executive escalation point for key customers regarding delivery, quality, and operational performance.
- Support customer audits, visits, and performance reviews.
Illustrative KPIsSafety- Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR)
- Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR)
- Completion and effectiveness of corrective actions
Quality- Customer PPM / Defect Rates
- Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ)
- Customer complaints and warranty claims
Delivery & Productivity- On-Time Delivery (OTD)
- Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
- Schedule attainment and throughput
Financial- Manufacturing cost per unit
- Labor efficiency and overtime rates
- EBITDA contribution and margin improvement
People- Leadership turnover and succession readiness
- Employee engagement scores
- Absenteeism and retention rates
Qualifications & Experience- Bachelor's degree in engineering, Manufacturing, or Business; MBA is an asset
- 15+ years of progressive manufacturing experience, including multi-site leadership roles
- Proven hands-on operational leadership in high-volume or complex manufacturing environments
- Strong background in Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement
- Experience operating in regulated or safety-critical manufacturing environments preferred
Leadership & Technical Competencies- Visible, decisive, and action-oriented leader
- Strong business and financial acumen
- Ability to lead through complexity and change
- High accountability, integrity, and operational discipline
- Strong communication and cross-functional influence
Working Conditions- Extensive travel across North American facilities
- On-site presence required, not a remote role
- Availability to support operations outside standard business hours as needed
Salary Range: $150,000-$190,000
