Director of Operations
Chicago, IL - USA
Department:
Job Summary
Job Summary
As a member of the leadership team the Director of Manufacturing Operations is responsible and accountable for the strategic vision of our manufacturing process. This role is pivotal in aligning all aspects of manufacturing with company and customer expectations in a rapid-growth multi-site ETO/MTO manufacturing environment. This newly created position leverages historic experience creativity and problem-solving to identify and address challenges associated with significant multi-year growth.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Lead manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives while driving team performance accountability and operational excellence.
- Maintain full P&L responsibility and accountability for all manufacturing operations ensuring achievement of financial and operational objectives.
- Help with establishing and executing short- and long-term manufacturing strategies including facility expansion equipment investments and workforce planning to support business growth.
- Oversee the master production schedule to ensure on-time delivery customer satisfaction and efficient resource utilization.
- Align production activities to optimize labor utilization productivity and operational efficiency within a low-volume high-mix manufacturing environment.
- Serve as a change agent by implementing and sustaining best-in-class manufacturing processes systems and operational practices.
- Make timely data-driven operational decisions in dynamic environments including critical machine downtime and production disruption scenarios.
- Champion Lean Manufacturing 6S and continuous improvement methodologies to drive waste reduction quality improvements and cost savings.
- Develop organizational capability through coaching mentoring succession planning and promotion of high-potential employees.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering Quality Supply Chain and Customer Service teams to achieve business objectives and improve operational performance.
- Foster a culture of collaboration accountability engagement safety and continuous learning across all levels of the organization.
- Ensure all responsibilities are executed safely efficiently and in compliance with company policies regulatory requirements and industry standards.
- Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned to support organizational goals.
Responsibilities to Organization
- Demonstrate and promote DRCs core values in all business activities and interactions.
- Protect support and strengthen DRCs culture through positive leadership collaboration and professional conduct.
- Perform assigned responsibilities within the scope of the position and direction provided while willingly accepting additional assignments as needed.
- Adhere to all company policies procedures and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain the highest standards of confidentiality information security integrity and ethical conduct regarding company information and business matters.
- Approach organizational changes and challenging situations with professionalism adaptability and a solutions-oriented mindset.
- Assist in maintaining a safe clean and organized work environment proactively identifying and addressing hazards or reporting concerns promptly to appropriate personnel.
- Perform all duties in a manner that prioritizes personal safety and the safety of others following established safety procedures equipment operating guidelines and proper ergonomic practices.
- Ensure equipment is operated in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and company safety standards.
- Immediately report workplace incidents injuries unsafe conditions or near-miss events to the Safety Manager and appropriate leadership personnel and complete all required documentation in a timely manner.
- Support and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement accountability teamwork and operational excellence throughout the organization.
Qualifications :
Job Requirements
- Demonstrated excellence in leadership interpersonal communication coaching and employee development.
- Strong analytical critical thinking and problem-solving abilities with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
- Self-motivated results-oriented professional with the ability to work independently while fostering a collaborative team environment.
- Excellent written verbal presentation and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all organizational levels.
- Ability and willingness to travel between multiple local manufacturing facilities to provide operational oversight leadership and support. Valid drivers license and clean driving record required.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while maintaining a focus on safety quality delivery and cost objectives.
- Experience leading teams through organizational growth operational change and continuous improvement initiatives is highly desirable.
- Ability to work safely within a manufacturing environment including compliance with all required personal protective equipment (PPE) standards such as safety glasses and steel-toe footwear.
- Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish preferred.
Education/Training/Experience
- Proven experience in a high-growth manufacturing environment supporting sustained annual growth rates of 25%40% or greater across multiple facilities and production shifts.
- Bachelors degree in business administration Operations Management Engineering Manufacturing Supply Chain Management or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations including strategic oversight of multi-site operations within an Engineer-to-Order (ETO) and/or Make-to-Order (MTO) manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated success leading manufacturing organizations through rapid growth operational scaling process optimization and organizational development.
- Extensive experience managing multiple production facilities diverse product portfolios and complex manufacturing schedules.
- Strong background in Lean Manufacturing Continuous Improvement operational excellence and change management initiatives.
- Proven ability to develop high-performing teams build leadership pipelines and drive accountability across all organizational levels.
- Experience with P&L management capital planning capacity expansion workforce planning and strategic business execution.
Additional Information :
Benefits
- 401(k)
- Medical Dental & Vision insurance
- Employee assistance program (EAP)
- Flexible spending account (FSA)
- Health savings account (HSA)
- Paid time off
- Parental Leave
- Tuition Reimbursement
We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin economic status disability age or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics where we celebrate support and embrace diversity.
At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation including but not limited to interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our careers website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)
Remote Work :
No
Employment Type :
Full-time
About Company
Smiths Group is a global technology company that delivers solutions for the worlds evolving challenges. With a history spanning over 170 years, we operate across multiple sectors, including healthcare, energy, defense, and manufacturing. Our five divisionsJohn Crane, Smiths Detectio ... View more