We are hiring a: Director, OperationsColumbia, Missouri (On-Site)
Watlow is seeking a
Director of Operations to lead our Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Columbia, Missouri. Reporting to the Senior Director of Operations, you will provide both strategic direction and hands-on leadership across production, quality, safety, supply chain, and engineering to deliver world-class products and drive operational excellence. As a key member of the Operations Leadership Team, you will partner closely with Business Units, New Product Development, and executive leadership to align operational capabilities with business objectives.
This is a high-impact opportunity for an experienced operations leader who thrives in complex, high-tech manufacturing environments, is passionate about Lean transformation, and has the vision to build and develop high-performing teams. If you are a hands-on leader who drives accountability and continuous improvement from the shop floor to the executive table, we would love to connect with you.
What You'll Do: - Manufacturing Leadership: Lead all manufacturing operations to consistently achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives across the Columbia facility.
- Team Development: Build, coach, and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement at every level of the organization.
- Lean Transformation: Drive the application of Lean principles to streamline processes, improve throughput, and enhance overall equipment effectiveness - embedding behaviors, not just tools.
- Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with Business Units and New Product Development to ensure seamless integration of new products into production, aligning operational capabilities with innovation priorities.
- Performance Management: Establish and monitor KPIs to track performance, productivity, and Lean progress, using data to drive informed decisions and continuous improvement.
- Compliance & Quality: Ensure compliance with all regulatory, environmental, and industry standards, and champion quality through robust control measures and a culture of excellence.
- Financial Stewardship: Manage budgets, resources, and capital investments with a focus on efficiency and return, identifying and pursuing cost-reduction opportunities across products, processes, and projects.
- Technology & Innovation: Evaluate and introduce new technologies, systems, and methods to strengthen production capabilities and competitive positioning.
- Engagement & Culture: Lead site-level engagement initiatives that align with Watlow's purpose, vision, and strategy, promoting collaboration, trust, and open communication across leadership, teams, and stakeholders.
- Watlow Business System: Represent the site within the Watlow Business System (WBS) framework, ensuring consistent adoption of best practices across the organization.
What you'll need to succeed? - Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Business
- 10+ years of progressive leadership in manufacturing operations, with direct oversight of production, supply chain, engineering, and quality
- Demonstrated success implementing Lean principles at scale with hands-on transformation experience, not just knowledge
- Semiconductor industry or similarly complex, high-precision manufacturing environment experience
- Proven project management track record delivering on-time, on-budget initiatives
- Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI/NPD) in a manufacturing setting
- Strong analytical and communication skills, with a data-driven approach to performance management and decision-making
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed (
Preferred Qualifications: - Advanced degree (MS or MBA) in Business, Engineering, or Operations Management
- Lean Six Sigma certification (Black Belt or Master Black Belt)
- Change management experience leading cultural transformations in complex organizations
- Background aligning and collaborating with front-end design and development functions (BU, Sales, Engineering) to ensure linkage to the manufacturing setting
- Experience scaling operations in high-growth or innovation-driven industries
Benefits: The Watlow Total Compensation Plan The health, well-being and financial stability of you and your family is a high priority to us.The Watlow Total Rewards Plan includes competitive compensation and a
fullrange of life and career enhancing benefits:
- Annual Incentive Program
- 401(k) plan that includes a company match on your contribution and an annual company contribution that is tied to company performance
- Wellness incentives
- Employee Personal Assistance Program
- Dental, medical, vision and short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Paid holidays, personal time, and vacation
- Parental leave
- Tuition reimbursement
