Director of Manufacturing Operations

About Merritt Precision Technologies

Merritt Precision specializes in manufacturing advanced products serving marine, automotive, aerospace, and other specialized industries as part of the Correct Craft group. The company is dedicated to top-tier quality, exceptional service, confidentiality, operational excellence, and advancing sustainable progress.

Position Overview

The Director of Manufacturing Operations heads the entire performance and leadership of Merritt Precision's Florida manufacturing site. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Operations, this role oversees manufacturing, production planning, supply chain, facilities, safety, quality, customer service, financial outcomes, and employee engagement. Close partnership with Engineering is essential to ensure smooth transition from design through production.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead the Merritt Precision Florida facility with strategic and operational oversight.
• Formulate and implement yearly operational plans aligned with corporate strategy and customer commitments.
• Direct managers and supervisors by setting clear goals, nurturing accountability, collaboration, and continuous enhancement culture.
• Establish strong communication and trust with key customers through routine touchpoints, operational assessments, facility tours, and resolving issues promptly.
• Maintain open reporting to the Vice President of Operations on facility performance, risks, and key initiatives.
• Drive manufacturing excellence by optimizing production flow, staffing, equipment, labor efficiency, throughput, and capacity.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing principles, develop standard operating procedures, engage in root cause analysis, and promote continuous improvement.
• Plan and oversee maintenance strategies, capital investments, and long-term equipment capabilities.
• Facilitate implementation of new processes, automation, technologies, and operational equipment.
• Manage the facility budget, forecast financial needs, and support capital planning.
• Monitor key financial and operational metrics including labor costs, overtime, productivity, inventory, scrap, and operating expenses.
• Enhance profitability, optimize resource use, and improve operational efficiency sustainably.
• Collaborate with Quality, Engineering, Sales, and Customer Service teams to uphold customer satisfaction, handle visits, audits, and resolve issues.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, quality systems, company policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Oversee supply chain functions such as purchasing, production planning, scheduling, inventory control, warehouse operations, shipping, and receiving.
• Ensure production schedules and ERP system execution accurately reflect priorities and resource availability.
• Drive improvements in supplier performance, inventory accuracy, schedule adherence, and facility readiness.
• Recruit, develop, coach, and retain high-performing leaders and staff, creating succession pathways for critical roles.
• Work closely with Human Resources on workforce planning, employee relations, performance management, and engagement.
• Model and promote integrity, humility, accountability, professionalism, and servant leadership aligned with Correct Craft culture.
• Lead the facility towards zero safety incidents by enforcing safe work practices and addressing hazards immediately.
• Partner with Safety and HR teams to maintain OSHA and other regulatory compliance.

Key Performance Indicators

• Safety outcomes and incident rate reduction
• On-time delivery and schedule adherence
• Customer satisfaction and quality metrics
• First-pass yield, scrap rates, and rework levels
• Productivity, throughput, and labor efficiency
• Operating income and EBITDA performance
• Capital projects and equipment uptime management
• Inventory accuracy and turnover rates
• Overtime, operating expense, and budget control
• Employee engagement, retention, and leadership growth
• Continuous improvement savings and project execution

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or related fields; or equivalent experience.
• At least 10 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing or operations, including a minimum of five years managing multi-functional teams.
• Proven ability managing senior managers and overall facility operational results.
• Experience preferred in composites, marine, aerospace, automotive, defense, or related manufacturing sectors.
• Strong background in Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, budgeting, capital planning, and ERP/MRP system use.

Core Competencies

• Strategic and operational leadership abilities
• Financial acumen and business management
• Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement expertise
• Customer-centric approach and quality leadership
• Change management and effective problem-solving
• Leadership training, coaching, and succession planning
• Executive communication and cross-team collaboration
• Data-driven decision-making and project management skills

Equal Opportunity and ADA Commitment

Merritt Precision maintains a strict policy against discrimination and harassment, making employment decisions regardless of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any protected characteristic. The company is dedicated to reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities, engaging interactively to identify solutions unless it creates undue hardship.