Dorman Products

Sr. Director, Operations

Dorman Products$150K — $180K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field; Master's degree or MBA preferred
  • 15+ years of progressive manufacturing and operations leadership experience
  • Expertise in managing multi-site, multinational operations, particularly in Asia
  • Proven record of operational improvements and cost efficiencies
  • Advanced knowledge of Lean principles and continuous improvement methodologies
  • Exceptional leadership skills to influence and build collaborative teams

Responsibilities

  • Champion a safety-first culture in compliance with safety regulations
  • Lead quality systems and continuous improvements to reduce defects
  • Provide strategic leadership across U.S. and China manufacturing operations
  • Ensure execution of production plans to meet service levels
  • Implement Lean and operational excellence initiatives for cost optimization
  • Oversee warehouse and distribution operations for efficient inventory flow
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support product development and customer service

Benefits

  • Access to medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid time off including sick/vacation and parental leave
  • 401k plan with company match and profit-sharing
  • Discounted Employee Stock Purchase Plan
  • Paid holidays and floating holidays
Full Job Description
Job Summary

As the Senior Director of Operations at SuperATV, you will play a critical leadership role steering our global manufacturing and operational activities. This senior leadership position commands oversight of our two manufacturing plants situated in the United States and China, as well as three strategically located distribution centers. Your influence will be integral in driving safe, efficient, and high-quality production processes to ensure our customers receive timely, dependable delivery of products. This role blends strategic vision with hands-on execution, partnering across divisions to enhance operational excellence and foster a collaborative, safety-first culture that supports our company's mission and sustained growth.

Primary Duties

Safety, Quality & Culture
  • Champion a safety-first culture, ensuring compliance with all OSHA, local, and international safety regulations.
  • Lead quality systems, corrective actions, and continuous improvements to reduce defects and warranty issues.
  • Build and sustain a high-engagement manufacturing culture focused on accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
  • Demonstrated track record of improving manufacturing culture and employee engagement.

Operations & Manufacturing Leadership
  • Provide strategic and operational leadership across all manufacturing and distribution operations (U.S. and China).
  • Ensure consistent execution of production plans to meet demand, service levels, and on-time shipping commitments.
  • Standardize best practices across sites while addressing regional needs.
  • Own key operational KPIs, including safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and inventory.

Continuous Improvement & Cost Optimization
  • Lead Lean, CI, and operational excellence initiatives (Six Sigma, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping).
  • Identify and execute cost-reduction and margin-improvement opportunities across labor, materials, logistics, and overhead.
  • Optimize capacity, workflows, equipment utilization, and facility layouts.
  • Drive technology adoption, automation, and data-driven decision-making.

Supply Chain, Warehouse & Distribution
  • Oversee warehouse, shipping, and distribution operations to ensure efficient inventory flow and customer fulfillment.
  • Collaborate with Supply Chain and Procurement to reduce lead times, improve supplier performance, and mitigate risk.
  • Ensure scalable processes that support growth and seasonal demand fluctuations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner closely with Engineering and Product Development on manufacturability, new product introduction, and ramp-ups.
  • Work with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, capital planning, and ROI analysis.
  • Support Sales and Customer Service by ensuring reliable delivery and operational responsiveness.

People Leadership
  • Directly and indirectly lead teams across Operations, Manufacturing, Maintenance, Quality, Warehouse, Shipping, and CI.
  • Build leadership bench strength through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.
  • Establish clear expectations, performance metrics, and accountability.


Qualifications

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a closely related discipline is required; a Master's degree or MBA is preferred.
  • Minimum of 15 years progressive leadership experience in manufacturing and operations, ideally within aftermarket automotive, powersports, or complex high-mix/low-volume manufacturing environments.
  • Demonstrated expertise in leading multi-site, multinational manufacturing operations, including experience managing international production facilities, particularly in Asia.
  • Proven track record driving substantial operational improvements, delivering cost efficiencies, and transforming manufacturing culture positively.
  • Advanced knowledge and application of Lean manufacturing principles, continuous improvement methodologies and effective use of performance metrics to drive results.
  • Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence across functions and build collaborative, high-performing teams.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Hands-on experience with manufacturing processes involving welded assemblies, machining, fabrication, or metal-based product lines.
  • Operational familiarity with distribution center management and fulfillment logistics.
  • Significant international manufacturing exposure, with an emphasis on navigating the complexities of doing business in China and Asia-Pacific regions.
  • Proven capabilities leading organizational change management initiatives and large-scale transformation projects.

Leadership Competencies
  • Strategic visionary with strong operational execution capabilities.
  • Unwavering commitment to safety, along with a genuine focus on developing people and teams.
  • Collaborative and hands-on leadership approach, fostering transparency and trust.
  • Results-driven mindset combined with sound financial and analytical acumen.
  • Thrives in dynamic, fast-paced, high-growth environments while maintaining composure under pressure.


The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will depend on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge and skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal pay equity. Compensation decisions are made based on the specific facts and circumstances of each role and candidate.This role is also eligible for a bonus.

As a Dorman US contributor, you (and eligible dependents, as applicable) will have access to medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid time off (sick/vacation), and Paid Parental Leave. U.S. employees are entitled to paid holidays, floating holidays, and paid time off starting in their first year of employment depending on hire date. You are also able to participate in our 401k retirement plan (with company match and profit-sharing) and Discounted Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

#SATV #SuperATV

About Dorman Products

Dorman Products is a supplier of automotive replacement parts and fasteners. The company was founded in 1918 and is headquartered in Colmar, Pennsylvania. Dorman Products offers over 150,000 different products, including brake parts, engine parts, and suspension parts. The company sells its products through a variety of channels, including automotive parts retailers, warehouse distributors, and online retailers. Dorman Products has a market capitalization of over $3 billion and is listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange.
Learn more about Dorman Products
Size
3,360 employees
Market Cap
$2.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$106.8 million
5 Year Trend
+9.4%
Revenue
$1 billion
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Dorman Products

  • Dorman Products
    Sr. Director, Operations
    $150K — $180K *
    Madison, IN 47250 (Jefferson County)
    Manufacturing & Automotive
    In-Person
  • Dorman Products
    IT - Functional Analyst
    $92K — $138K *
    Colmar, PA 18915 (Montgomery County)
    Manufacturing & Automotive
    In-Person
  • Dorman Products
    Warehouse Manager
    $75K — $94K *
    Madison, IN 47250 (Jefferson County)
    Transportation
    In-Person
  • Dorman Products
    Marketplace Manager
    $104K — $130K *
    Madison, IN 47250 (Jefferson County)
    Retail & Consumer Goods
    In-Person
  • Dorman Products
    HR Business Partner
    $83K — $124K *
    Virginia Beach, VA 23464 (Virginia Beach City County)
    Manufacturing & Automotive
    In-Person

More Manufacturing & Automotive Jobs

  • General Manager
    $100K — $140K + 30% bonus *
    Lunova Group
    Memphis, TN 38101 (Shelby County)
  • Controller
    $120K — $130K *
    Belleville Boot Company
    Belleville, IL 62220 (Saint Clair County)
  • Director of Engineering
    $150K — $250K *
    Buyers Products
    Mentor, OH 44060 (Lake County)
  • Plant Manager
    Top Industrial Manufacturing Company
    Chicago, IL 60601 (Cook County)
  • Senior CNC Programmer
    $75K — $95K *
    Teledyne FLIR LLC
    Huntsville, AL 35810 (Madison County)

Find similar Sr. Director, Operations jobs: