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 in regulated or safety-critical manufacturing environments preferred
Responsibilities
Maintain regular on-site presence at manufacturing facilities to assess operations and performance
Lead plant leadership teams in operational reviews and problem-solving
Provide direct support during production disruptions and safety incidents
Drive standardized operating practices across all North American sites
Ensure accountability for safety performance and regulatory compliance
Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean and Six Sigma methodologies
Collaborate with supply chain teams to ensure material availability and supplier performance
Benefits
Extensive travel across North American facilities
On-site presence required, not a remote role
Availability to support operations outside standard business hours as needed
Full Job Description
Summary
The 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 Responsibilities
Operational 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 KPIs
Safety
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
