About the JobPosition Summary:The Director of Operations is responsible for leading and optimizing all manufacturing operations to ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective production of high-quality products. This role provides strategic and operational leadership across Machining, Assembly, Quality Assurance (QA), Test & Validation, Production Planning, and related support functions. The Director of Operations drives continuous improvement initiatives, operational excellence, capacity planning, and cross-functional collaboration to meet customer requirements, business objectives, and growth targets.
Operational Leadership:- Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with company goals, customer requirements, and business growth objectives.
- Lead daily manufacturing operations, ensuring safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets are achieved.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive operational performance and accountability.
- Create a culture focused on continuous improvement, employee engagement, and operational excellence.
- Ensure compliance with all company policies, industry standards, regulatory requirements, and safety regulations.
Machining Operations Management:- Direct all machining activities, including CNC machining, fabrication, tooling, and related manufacturing processes.
- Optimize equipment utilization, throughput, cycle times, and labor efficiency.
- Develop capacity plans to support customer demand and growth initiatives.
- Partner with Engineering to improve manufacturability, reduce costs, and enhance production capability.
- Oversee preventative maintenance and equipment investment strategies.
Assembly Operations Management:- Lead assembly operations to ensure efficient workflow, productivity, and product quality.
- Implement lean manufacturing principles to reduce waste and improve operational performance.
- Drive process standardization and work instruction development.
- Ensure production resources are effectively aligned with customer requirements and schedules.
Quality Assurance Leadership:- Oversee Quality Assurance systems and ensure compliance with applicable quality standards and customer requirements.
- Develop and maintain robust quality processes that support first-pass yield and defect reduction goals.
- Lead corrective and preventive action (CAPA) initiatives and root-cause analysis efforts.
- Partner with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to resolve quality issues and improve overall performance.
- Foster a culture of quality ownership throughout the organization.
Test & Validation Management:- Lead all product testing and validation activities to ensure compliance with performance, reliability, and customer specifications.
- Establish testing protocols, validation processes, and data review procedures.
- Ensure timely execution of testing activities to support production schedules and new product introductions.
- Drive continuous improvement of testing methodologies and equipment utilization.
Production Planning & Scheduling:- Oversee production planning, scheduling, capacity analysis, and inventory optimization.
- Ensure production plans support customer delivery commitments while maximizing operational efficiency.
- Collaborate with Supply Chain, Procurement, and Sales teams to balance demand and production capacity.
- Identify and mitigate production risks that may impact delivery performance.
- Drive continuousimprovement in forecasting accuracy and scheduling effectiveness.
Continuous Improvement:- Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and operational excellence initiatives.
- Identify opportunities to improve productivity, quality, delivery performance, and cost efficiency.
- Champion data-driven decision-making and performance management.
- Implement best practices to improve manufacturing processes and scalability.
Financial Management:- Develop and manage operating budgets for manufacturing functions.
- Monitor operational spending and identify opportunities for cost reduction.
- Drive initiatives that improve profitability, productivity, and return on investment.
- Support capital expenditure planning and justification activities.
Talent Development & Leadership:- Build, develop, and mentor high-performing teams across operations functions.
- Establish succession planning and workforce development strategies.
- Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, collaboration, and continuous learning.
- Lead organizational change initiatives and support business growth objectives.
Education & Experience:- Bachelor's degree in engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field required 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
- 5+ years in a senior operations leadership role overseeing multiple manufacturing functions.
- Experience managing machining, assembly, quality assurance, test & Validation, and production planning functions.
- Demonstrated success implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Experience with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing performance metrics.
- Experience with Epicor a plus.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:- Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, production planning, quality systems, and operational excellence.
- Proven leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Strong financial acumen and budget management experience.
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
Physical Requirements:- Ability to work in a manufacturing and production environment with exposure to machinery, moving equipment, noise, temperature variations, and industrial chemicals consistent with standard manufacturing operations.
- Ability to routinely walk production floors, warehouses, laboratories, and test areas for extended periods.
- Ability to stand for prolonged periods during facility tours, audits, inspections, and operational reviews.
- Ability to occasionally climb stairs, ladders, platforms, and access elevated work areas while adhering to safety requirements.
- Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach as needed to observe production processes, equipment, and workflow activities.
- Ability to occasionally lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Visual ability to inspect products, equipment, production processes, quality documentation, and performance metrics.
- Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through virtual meeting platforms.
- Ability to travel between manufacturing facilities, suppliers, customer sites, and industry events, as required (up to 25% travel, depending on business needs).
- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toe footwear, and other protective equipment when working in designated manufacturing areas.
- Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, printers, and mobile devices for extended periods.
Additional Requirements, if any:- Full-time position consisting of 40+ hours per week; Monday through Friday, hours are 8:00am - 5:00pm. This position may require overtime and/or weekend work due to customer needs or deadlines.
- The position requires onsite presence for the stated work hours. Remote work is not available.
