About the Job
Job Title: Director of Manufacturing Operations
Location: A thriving industrial hub in the Southwest
Department: Operations
Reports To: Senior Leadership
Employment Type: Full-Time | On-Site | Contract to Hire
Position Overview
A leading manufacturer specializing in innovative solutions for the defense, energy, and industrial sectors is seeking a dynamic Director of Operations to lead and scale its manufacturing capabilities. This role oversees all day-to-day operations at a state-of-the-art facility, ensuring safety, efficiency, quality, and on-time delivery. The Director will drive continuous improvement, support rapid growth, and foster a high-performance culture aligned with the organization’s vision for mission-critical production.
Key Responsibilities
Provide strategic and hands-on leadership across production, quality, logistics, inventory, facilities, and maintenance functions.
Manage daily plant operations to meet or exceed targets for safety, quality, cost, and delivery in defense, energy, and industrial manufacturing.
Build and mentor a strong operations leadership team through coaching, training, and professional development.
Identify inefficiencies and lead lean manufacturing, process improvement, and cost reduction initiatives tailored to high-tech production.
Collaborate with HR, engineering, safety, and other departments to ensure cross-functional alignment and drive company-wide initiatives.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including OSHA, EPA, and industry-specific standards.
Oversee production scheduling, capacity planning, and materials flow to meet customer demand and minimize downtime.
Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and implement corrective actions to optimize operational performance.
Champion a robust safety culture by enforcing policies, mitigating risks, and promoting safe work practices.
Support workforce planning, staffing, and labor utilization to align with operational goals.
Contribute to long-term strategic planning as a key voice in leadership meetings.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
Minimum 10 years of progressive operations experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role within manufacturing.
Proven success leading large teams and scaling operations in a fast-paced environment, ideally in defense, energy, or industrial sectors.
Strong expertise in lean principles, continuous improvement tools, and manufacturing best practices.
Demonstrated ability to build systems, enforce process discipline, and implement scalable infrastructure.
Excellent communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
Experience with ERP systems and data-driven decision-making.
Why Join This Organization?
Join a fast-growing, innovation-driven manufacturer shaping the future of defense, energy, and industrial solutions.
Lead transformative operations in a high-tech, dynamic environment.
Enjoy a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and significant career advancement opportunities.
This organization is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.
