Job Summary/OverviewThe Senior Director of Advanced Manufacturing provides strategic leadership for advanced manufacturing operations, engineering excellence, automation, capital deployment, continuous improvement, and manufacturing transformation initiatives across multiple facilities. This executive leader drives operational performance, productivity, quality, safety, innovation, and cost optimization while aligning manufacturing capabilities with enterprise growth objectives. The role partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Product Management, Quality, Finance, and Human Resources to develop world-class manufacturing systems and scalable operational strategies.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities- Develop and execute the long-term advanced manufacturing strategy aligned with business objectives and operational excellence goals.
- Provide leadership for manufacturing engineering, automation, maintenance, capital projects, and process improvement initiatives.
- Drive enterprise-wide performance in safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and customer satisfaction metrics.
- Lead the design, deployment, validation, and scaling of advanced manufacturing technologies, automation systems, and digital manufacturing solutions.
- Direct capital planning, investment prioritization, and execution of manufacturing expansion and modernization projects.
- Champion Lean Manufacturing, Value Stream Management, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies across operations.
- Develop current and future state manufacturing roadmaps to improve capacity, throughput, efficiency, and competitiveness.
- Partner with product development teams to ensure manufacturability and successful launch of new products and processes.
- Establish operational governance, performance management systems, and executive-level reporting mechanisms.
- Build, mentor, and develop high-performing leadership teams and succession pipelines.
- Collaborate with site leaders to standardize best practices and drive operational consistency across facilities.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory, environmental, safety, and quality standards.
- Manage departmental budgets, resource planning, and financial performance objectives.
- Serve as a key member of the operations leadership team, influencing enterprise strategy and business transformation initiatives.
- Perform other duties and strategic initiatives as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, Competencies, and Abilities- Executive-level leadership and strategic planning capabilities.
- Deep expertise in advanced manufacturing technologies, automation, robotics, and process engineering.
- Strong financial acumen with experience managing operating and capital budgets.
- Exceptional change management, organizational development, and transformational leadership skills.
- Advanced knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent communication and executive stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to lead complex cross-functional and multi-site initiatives.
- Knowledge of quality systems, regulatory compliance requirements, and operational risk management.
Required Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline; Master's degree preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including multi-site or enterprise-level responsibility.
- 7+ years of leadership experience managing leaders, managers, and cross-functional teams.
- Significant experience leading capital projects, manufacturing transformation, and automation implementations.
- Demonstrated success driving operational excellence, productivity improvements, and cost reduction initiatives.
- Experience working in complex industrial, manufacturing, or engineered products environments.
