Director of Operations - Manufacturing

About the Role

Our client, an international B2B technology and industrial products company, is searching for an experienced Director of Operations to lead and optimize their manufacturing plant operations. This individual will ensure compliance with all safety and environmental laws, foster a safety-first culture, and align plant goals with company-wide objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee plant operations and guarantee adherence to company policies as well as government safety and environmental regulations.
• Promote a culture prioritizing occupational and process safety to achieve world-class standards.
• Develop strategic manufacturing and technical center goals, ensuring alignment with organizational values.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with business units, senior leadership, and stakeholders.
• Enhance plant productivity and efficiency by monitoring processes and adopting effective technologies regionally.
• Lead strategic planning to ensure manufactured products meet standards for safety, quality, cost, and timeliness that support business objectives.
• Define metrics to evaluate operational efficiency and implement improvements through data analysis across various disciplines.
• Collaborate with plant managers to manage and adjust operational budgets aiming for profitability and target revenue margins.
• Manage personnel functions including staff assignments, performance evaluations, hiring, training, retention, disciplinary actions, complaint resolution, and problem solving.
• Coordinate and communicate effectively with other business units to fulfill company goals.
• Lead change management initiatives within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Coach, mentor, and develop teams by encouraging continuous learning and fostering collaboration across diverse geographical and cultural teams.
• Act as a subject matter expert in process technology for the operations team.
• Support and champion process safety programs, policies, and procedures.
• Contribute to sustainability efforts as part of operational responsibilities.

Qualifications and Experience

• Proven capability to drive a data-centric culture and manage operational change effectively.
• Degree in a relevant field; preferred advanced degree such as M.S. in Engineering or MBA.
• At least ten years of managerial experience with budgeting responsibility, preferably in consumer or electro-mechanical manufacturing sectors.
• Experience in competitive, lean manufacturing environments with strong emphasis on operations, lean principles, and continuous improvement.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Health, Safety, and Environmental legislation and standards with a strong commitment to regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing process plants with effective resource utilization—both human and financial.
• Track record of innovating and implementing solutions for complex challenges in multi-product operational facilities.
• Ability to lead and positively influence personnel, identify talent, and foster development.
• Proven success in process improvement, reliability best practices, and program implementation.
• Capacity to measure operational performance and deliver on defined objectives.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of influencing stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development at senior levels, maintaining adherence to industry best practices.