As the Director of Operations, (Manufacturing), you will be responsible for defining and leading the implementation of long-term strategic plans for the operations team to support business growth. You will play a pivotal role in driving product development processes, optimizing operational efficiency, and ensuring collaboration across all business functions.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Planning & Implementation
Define and lead the execution of long-range strategic plans for the operations team, aligned with business growth objectives.
Proactively identify opportunities and risks, ensuring operational plans support and drive business goals.
New Product Development
Lead the New Product Development (NPD) pipeline process from ideation to execution, ensuring projects are managed efficiently and effectively to meet deadlines and quality standards.
Ensure that new product initiatives are aligned with the overall business strategy and market requirements.
Partnership Development & Portfolio Management
Develop and manage strategic partnerships that align with operational goals to maximize and diversify the product portfolio.
Strengthen relationships with key external stakeholders and ensure that partnership goals are met.
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing, collaborative team that works seamlessly with other functions (R&D, Marketing, Sales, etc.).
Foster a culture of teamwork and mutual support to drive business success.
Operational Efficiency & Profitability
Maximize operational efficiency and profitability in line with projected business growth and market conditions.
Implement initiatives that improve cost-effectiveness and operational performance across the team.
Continuous Improvement Culture
Promote and drive a culture of Continuous Improvement (CI) across the organization, focused on increasing efficiency, reducing waste, and ensuring consistency in all processes.
Manufacturing Strategy & Infrastructure
Drive strategic thinking around manufacturing needs, including plant facilities, capital investments, and partnerships to support production capacity and scalability.
Collaborate with leadership on decisions related to infrastructure and capital expenditures.
Technical Capability & Team Development
Ensure technical competency of shop-floor personnel, ensuring they have the required skills and resources to effectively carry out their roles.
Continuously evaluate and improve team training, tools, and processes to support a high-performance culture..
Identify opportunities to leverage synergies and improve performance across business units.
Senior Management Representation
Represent Product Operations & Development at the Senior Management level, providing updates, insights, and recommendations to executive leadership.
Participate in strategic decision-making and contribute to the overall direction of the business.
Qualifications:
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or a related field. A Master's degree (MBA, MS) is a plus.
Experience:
10+ years of experience in manufacturing operations management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
Proven success in managing new product development processes and integrating new products into manufacturing environments. (Prefered)
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, product lifecycle management, and supply chain management.
Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
Skills:
Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
Excellent project management and problem-solving skills, with the ability to handle complex manufacturing and product development challenges.
Familiarity with product development methodologies and tools (e.g., Stage-Gate, Agile, or similar).
Solid financial acumen to manage budgets and control costs effectively.
Expertise in manufacturing software, ERP systems, and product lifecycle management (PLM) tools.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with teams at all levels of the organization.