The Role and who we are looking forThe Director of Production Operations role is new to CDI and is necessary to support our continued growth. This role will serve as a transformational leader for CDI's production operations across multiple buildings, with a mandate to drive breakthrough improvements in throughput, quality, and cost by utilizing Lean principles, advanced analytics, and AI-enabled tools. This role holds full accountability for the performance of the production value stream and is expected to fundamentally reimagine how production is executed - not simply optimize existing processes.
We're looking for a bold, unconventional problem-solver who is comfortable challenging established norms in pursuit of better outcomes, and a systems thinker who connects the big picture to daily execution. Reporting to the General Manager, the Director will serve as a key architect of CDI's growth strategy.
About the role- Translate enterprise strategy into manufacturing capability, partnering directly with the General Manager and Re:Build Leadership on long-range strategy and capital planning.
- Establish objective, data-driven performance metrics and use them to exceed operational and business objectives and relentlessly drive down cost of poor quality (COPQ).
- Champion the deployment of Lean methodology together with AI, automation, and advanced analytics to fundamentally change and improve how production operates.
- Build a flexible, resilient production operations organization capable of adapting quickly as business needs evolve.
- Own full accountability for safety, quality, cost, delivery, and responsiveness across all production operations, driving transformational rather than incremental improvement.
- Build a bench of future leadership talent by coaching and developing direct reports and plant personnel into strategic, forward-thinking leaders.
- Model and instill a culture of creative problem-solving and intellectual curiosity, while personally demonstrating the confidence to act decisively amid uncertainty.
- Act with the highest ethical standards, integrity, and sound (yet appropriately aggressive) risk-based judgment in all strategic and operational decisions.
- Direct reports for this role currently include all three facility Plant Managers. Additional direct reports may be added in the future.
What you bring to the team- Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
- 15+ years of plant management or operations leadership experience in manufacturing, including experience leading multiple manufacturing plants or facilities at scale.
- Demonstrated track record of leading transformational, not just incremental, operational change - including the deployment of AI, automation, or advanced digital tools to materially change throughput, quality, or cost outcomes.
- Experience translating business strategy into scalable, organic business growth, with additional experience in facilities expansion and/or acquisition integration preferred.
- Deep Lean Manufacturing expertise, with evidence of having driven Lean transformation as a strategic lever rather than a tactical program.
- Demonstrated skill in motivating, coaching and developing team members to higher levels of performance and capability.
- Proven P&L ownership and capital allocation experience, including evaluating and executing major ROI-driving investments.
Location RequirementsThe job will be on site at CDI's facilities in Avon and Avon Lake, Ohio. Periodic travel to other Re:Build Manufacturing sites may be required.
The BIG payoffWe are a company who is going to make a difference in the industries and the communities in which we choose to operate. Every employee of Re:Build will share ownership in the company and will share in the financial rewards of the success we achieve together, at all levels of the company.
