Title: Manufacturing Operations Director
Location: Independence, MO
Salary: $196,000+ depending on experience
Schedule: 980 Schedule
Websites: Winchester.com and WhiteFlyer.com
Focus: The Manufacturing Operations Director is responsible for the strategic leadership of high-volume manufacturing, production, and operational functions within our ammunition facility. This role ensures operational excellence, safety, and efficiency while aligning with company goals and regulatory requirements. The Director provides executive oversight, drives continuous improvement, and sets the direction for production strategies to meet customer demands and business objectives.
Manufacturing Operations Director Essential Job Functions:- Provide executive oversight of production operations leading a multi-level organization of approximately 1,400 employees from our frontline operators to associate directors ensuring performance goals, quality standards, and delivery commitments are met.
- Champion a culture of continued growth within a tenured workforce, strengthening accountability, engagement, and performance while respecting institutional knowledge.
- Own operational performance across multiple high-volume product lines, ensuring alignment with quality, delivery, and customer requirements in a complex, large-scale manufacturing environment.
- Drive enterprise strategies for capacity, throughput, and inventory optimization across large-scale manufacturing operations, supporting annual production volumes in the billions of units.
- Oversee operating performance and resource allocation, delivering disciplined cost control, productivity improvements, and operational efficiency at scale.
- Lead Lean, Continuous Improvement, and Operational Excellence initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and drive sustainable performance gains.
- Champion a culture of safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence, ensuring alignment with OSHA and all applicable federal and state EHS regulations.
- Partner with executive leadership on long-term strategy to define and implement strategic initiatives, performance metrics, and operational priorities.
Manufacturing Operations Director Minimum Requirements:- Bachelor's degree* in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline; Master's degree or MBA preferred
- 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in high-volume manufacturing operations.
- Proven ability to lead large, complex operations, including experience supporting organizations of 900+ employees in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
- Strategic thinker with exceptional organizational, communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills.
- Experience with ERP systems and data-driven decision-making; advanced Excel proficiency helpful but not the primary focus.
- Demonstrated success in leading Lean/Continuous Improvement initiatives and operational transformations.
- Valid driver's license; travel up to 10% may be required.
Location-Specific Requirements:- This position requires successful vetting as an Employee Possessor in accordance with U.S. Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
- This position requires access to ITAR controlled technical data, and as such, employment will be contingent upon the candidate's ability to access ITAR controlled technical data pursuant to an export license approved by the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, if required.
- This position requires successful vetting for unescorted access in accordance with U.S. Army and Department of Defense access policies. The US Government does not allow non-US citizens on-site at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. Therefore, to be considered in the hiring process, the candidate must be a US citizen.
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