Director of Operations - Manufacturing

What You'll Be Doing: Strategic Operations Leadership Develop and execute short- and long-term operating strategies aligned with company objectives. Translate business priorities into practical operating plans involving people, equipment, facilities, capacity, and resources. Identify opportunities to improve productivity, customer service, asset utilization, profitability, and overall operating performance. Advise the President on operational risks, capital requirements, resource needs, and opportunities for improvement. Lead organizational and operational changes while maintaining employee engagement and business continuity. Multi-Site Operations Direct manufacturing, blending, packaging, bulk handling, warehousing, and distribution activities across multiple facilities. Establish common procedures, operating standards, performance expectations, and accountability practices. Coordinate staffing, production resources, equipment availability, warehouse activity, and material movement. Ensure production and distribution activities support customer requirements and approved operating plans. Share successful processes and best practices across facilities while accounting for site-specific requirements. Balance safety, quality, service, productivity, and cost in daily operational decisions. Safety, Quality & Compliance Build and maintain a proactive safety culture across the operations organization. Ensure compliance with applicableOSHA, DOT, environmental, hazardous-material, HAZWOPER, and training requirements .Ensure teams follow established procedures, work instructions, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. Partner with Quality, Technology & Facilities leadership on corrective actions, audits, investigations, and continuous improvement. Support root-cause analysis and corrective-action activities when operational or quality issues occur. Ensure employees are properly trained and held accountable for established safety and operating requirements. Operational & Financial Performance Own performance across key areas includingsafety, service, productivity, labor utilization, inventory, equipment reliability, waste, cost, and operational profitability .Use ERP, production, inventory, maintenance, and financial information to monitor performance and identify opportunities. Establish corrective actions when performance falls short of expectations. Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean principles, 6S, standard work, visual management, and structured problem solving .Develop and manage operating and capital budgets covering labor, overtime, maintenance, equipment, and other operating expenses. Build business cases for capital equipment, automation, facility improvements, and asset replacement. Strengthen preventive maintenance and equipment reliability programs. Cross-Functional & Customer Leadership Work closely with Supply Chain to align production, inventory, procurement, capacity, and customer commitments. Partner with Customer Success on service issues, delivery challenges, escalations, and changing customer requirements. Collaborate with Quality, Technology & Facilities to improve operational discipline, facility effectiveness, and quality outcomes. Partner with Sales, Finance, Human Resources, Transportation, and other functional leadersto execute company priorities. Help ensure customer commitments are aligned with actual operational capabilities. Support the successful launch of new products, services, customers, and business initiatives. Leadership & Talent Development Lead, coach, and develop plant and operations managers and supervisors. Establish clear goals, responsibilities, decision-making authority, and performance expectations. Build stronger leadership capability through succession planning, cross-training, development plans, and stretch assignments. Foster a culture centered on accountability, engagement, recognition, professional development, and continuous improvement. Hold leaders accountable for maintaining safe, productive, and high-performing operations. Strengthen employee retention, leadership depth, and organizational readiness. Leadership Structure & Collaboration The Director of Operations reports directly to thePresidentand works as a member of the company's leadership team. The position partners closely with senior leaders across: Supply Chain QualityTechnology & Facilities Customer Success FinanceSalesHuman Resources TransportationSuccess in this position requires the ability to lead through influence across multiple departments, facilities, and organizational levels. What You Need Bachelor's degree inOperations Management, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field Equivalent combination of education and substantial relevant experience may be considered 12+ years of progressive experiencein manufacturing, industrial distribution, process manufacturing, or operations leadership 7+ years leading managers and supervisorsin manufacturing, warehouse, distribution, or industrial operations Demonstrated success leading operations across multiple facilities, business units, or complex manufacturing environments Proven ability to improve safety, service, productivity, cost performance, equipment reliability, inventory execution, profitability, and employee development Experience managing operating budgets, capital expenditures, continuous improvement programs, and organizational change Experience with ERP-supported operations, inventory management, operational reporting, performance metrics, budgeting, and capital planning Knowledge of applicable OSHA requirements Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills Strong business judgment and understanding of profitability, customer impact, risk, and resource allocation Excellent communication, coaching, change-management, and relationship-building skills Ability to manage competing priorities and respond effectively to operational disruptions Proficiency with Microsoft Office, ERP systems, operational reporting tools, and performance metrics Valid driver's license and ability to travel frequently between assigned facilities Preferred Experience Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma certification Specialty chemicals LubricantsBlending operations PackagingBulk liquid handling Hazardous materials Process manufacturing Industrial distribution Experience in these environments is strongly preferred. How Success Will Be Measured The Director of Operations will be accountable for measurable performance across areas including: Safety performance and corrective actions On-time delivery and customer service Production output and throughput Labor productivity Cost and budget performance Operational profitability Resource utilization Waste reduction Inventory accuracy Equipment reliability Maintenance effectiveness Continuous improvement and 6S maturity Capital project results Employee engagement and retention Leadership development and succession readiness Cross-functional execution Culture & Leadership Environment This role is designed for a leader who believes strong operational performance comes from combiningclear expectations, capable people, disciplined processes, reliable equipment, and continuous improvement .You'll have the opportunity to influence how multiple facilities operate, develop the next generation of operations leaders, and work directly with executive leadership on the organization's operational strategy.

Position: Director of Operations

Salary: $165k - $180kReports To: President

Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt Operations: Multi-site manufacturing, blending, packaging, warehousing, and distribution Facilities: Michigan and New York

Travel: Frequent travel between assigned facilities required