Operations Director Noratel North America | Hobart, Indiana – Chicago AreaFor an operations executive who believes performance is built on the shop floor - not in a conference room.
About the job:
We are seeking a hands-on Operations Director to lead Noratel’s manufacturing operations across three sites in the United States and Mexico. Based in Hobart, Indiana, this role carries full operational responsibility for the North American manufacturing network, with accountability for on-time delivery, productivity, cost, capacity utilization, inventory, and working-capital performance. This is not a head-office leadership position. The successful candidate will spend significant time at the manufacturing sites, working directly with site leaders and operational teams to strengthen execution, embed Lean practices, improve manufacturing capability, and build a more efficient and resilient operating network. The role reports directly to the SVP North America and requires regular travel to our site in Nogales, Mexico. Noratel is a global manufacturer of custom power magnetics, serving demanding industry segments since 1925. As part of the Magnetics Division within discoverIE Group, we benefit from a global network of specialized electronic component manufacturers. With more than 2,000 employees across 13 countries, Noratel combines local responsiveness with global engineering and production capabilities to deliverworld-class magnetic components.
Key Responsibilities:- Operational Performance
- Lead operational performance across three manufacturing sites in the United States and Mexico
- Deliver improvements in on-time delivery, productivity, operational efficiency, capacity utilization, and working capital
- Establish clear operational targets and ensure effective mitigation plans are in place when performance is at risk
- Ensure all sites operate fully within the safety and quality standards owned and led by the QHSE function
- Lean and Continuous Improvement
- Support the deployment of the Noratel Continuous Improvement system across all sites
- Drive the practical implementation of Lean manufacturing, 5S, daily management, and structured problem-solving
- Deliver measurable and sustained improvements directly on the shop floor
- Standardize operational processes, tools, and routines across the network
- Supply Chain and Planning
- Own site-level supply-chain execution, including production planning, scheduling, WIP, finished-goods inventory, warehousing, and logistics
- Establish robust S&OP and production-planning disciplines across the network
- Improve inventory accuracy and reduce working capital while protecting customer delivery performance
- Partner with Procurement on purchased-material inventory and supply continuityERP and Operational Discipline
- Drive disciplined use of ERP and MRP systems across the sites
- Strengthen data quality, system accuracy, and operational reporting
- Use Sage 500 or similar systems to support capacity planning, scheduling, materials management, and performance analysis
- Manufacturing Cost and Engineering Partnership
- Own operations-led cost reduction across processes, labor, yield, and scrap
- Partner with Engineering on VAVE, industrialization, and new-product introduction
- Provide manufacturability, should-cost, and production input to engineering-led initiatives
- Ensure new products are introduced efficiently, reliably, and at the right cost
- Footprint, Capacity and Capital Planning
- Lead the North American manufacturing footprint and capacity strategy
- Assess asset utilization, cost-to-serve, site configuration, and network efficiency
- Develop and execute optimization plans that improve resilience and prepare the business for future growth
- Lead capacity planning and prioritize capital investment across the sites
- Leadership and Capability Building
- Lead and develop Site Managers across the network
- Build strong operational leadership capability and succession plans at site level
- Create an accountable, engaged, and performance-focused culture
- Develop and retain operational talent aligned with Noratel’s values and long-term objectives
Qualifications:- Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical, or a related engineering discipline
- Master’s degree or MBA is considered an advantage
- Minimum 10 years of operational management experience in a manufacturing environment
- Proven experience leading multi-site and multicultural operations across the United States and MexicoStrong track record of improving manufacturing performance, cost, productivity, and delivery
- Hands-on experience implementing Lean manufacturing, 5S, and Continuous Improvement practices
- Demonstrated experience delivering manufacturing-process cost reductions and supporting VAVE initiativesStrong working knowledge of ERP and MRP systems; Sage 500 experience is preferred
- Experience leading manufacturing footprint, capacity, or network-optimization initiativesStrong commercial and financial understanding, including working capital, inventory, capacity utilization, and cost performance
- Fluent English; working Spanish is a strong advantage
Key Competencies:- Visible, hands-on shop-floor leadership
- Strong operational and financial discipline
- Analytical and root-cause-oriented problem-solving
- High accountability and results focus
- Ability to lead across different cultures, locations, and operating environments
- Strong people-development and succession-building capability
- Practical, resilient, and decisive leadership style
- Why Noratel
This is an opportunity to shape the future of Noratel’s North American manufacturing network.
You will have the authority and visibility to influence operational strategy, strengthen site performance, develop manufacturing capability, and lead meaningful improvements across the United States and Mexico.
The role offers broad exposure to senior leadership, Engineering, QHSE, Procurement, Finance, and global operations, together with the opportunity to make a measurable impact on delivery, cost, capacity, and long-term competitiveness.
What We Offer:- Base salary of $130,000–$150,000 per year, depending on skills, qualifications and experience, plus a performance-related incentive
- A senior leadership role with responsibility for three manufacturing sites
- Direct influence on operational strategy, manufacturing footprint, and investment priorities
- Regular collaboration with senior North American and global leadership
Opportunity to lead operational transformation across the United States and MexicoCareer development within Noratel and the wider discoverIE GroupTo apply, please submit your application via LinkedIn or contact us for further information.
