Director of Business Strategy

Superior Essex•Fort Wayne, IN

11h

About The Position

The Director of Business Strategy is responsible for leading operations-driven strategic planning, execution, and performance management. This role partners closely with Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, Sales, and Marketing to translate business objectives into measurable initiatives that drive profitability, operational efficiency, capacity utilization, and disciplined growth. This position is centered on operational strategy, data-driven decision making, pricing governance, and enterprise rhythm management (MBR/QBR). The Director ensures alignment between commercial priorities and manufacturing capabilities while supporting long-range planning, capital strategy inputs, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Operations Management, Finance, or a related field.
7+ years of experience in operations strategy, business planning, industrial operations, or finance-linked strategic roles.
Demonstrated experience driving enterprise initiatives within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
Proven ability to analyze complex data sets and translate insights into executable actions.
Strong analytical, financial, and operational acumen.
Structured problem-solving and strategic thinking capabilities.
Executive-level communication and presentation skills.
Ability to influence without authority and drive cross-functional alignment.
Proficiency in business performance management tools and data visualization.
Continuous improvement mindset.
Demonstrated people leadership and team development capability.
Ability to manage multiple priorities through direct reports while maintaining quality and timeliness.
Experience leading small, specialized teams in a matrixed or cross-functional environment.

Nice To Haves

MBA or Master’s degree in a related discipline.
Experience within wire, cable, electrical products, chemical or metal-based manufacturing environments.
Exposure to pricing strategy, cost modeling, or margin management in a manufacturing context.
Experience supporting capital planning, footprint optimization, or operational transformation initiatives.
Lean, Six Sigma (Green Belt or Black Belt), or equivalent operational excellence certification.

Responsibilities

Own preparation and coordination of Monthly Business Reviews (MBR) for Operations and Business Strategy, ensuring accuracy, insight, and executive-level storytelling.
Track and analyze KPIs, including volume, pricing realization, contribution margin, conversion cost, capacity utilization, inventory, and service performance.
Identify performance gaps and partner with functional leaders to drive corrective actions and sustainable improvements.
Prepare consolidated reporting and present business performance reviews with the Business Unit President to Corporate leadership.
Partner with Sales and Finance to support pricing governance, pricing execution discipline, and margin protection, grounded in operational realities and cost structures.
Analyze pricing performance, raw material impacts (e.g., copper, aluminum, insulation), and mix effects to inform strategic decisions.
Support value-based pricing initiatives by ensuring alignment between customer commitments, operational capability, and financial outcomes.
Serve as a strategic integrator across Operations, Sales, Finance, Supply Chain, and Corporate functions.
Provide structured problem-solving leadership for complex, cross-functional initiatives.
Support operational due diligence and integration activities related to M&A or restructuring initiatives, as required.
Lead, develop, and manage a high-performing team of three professionals, ensuring clear accountability, role clarity, and alignment to business priorities.
Assign and prioritize work across the team to support operational strategy, performance management, and executive reporting needs.
Coach team members on analytical rigor, business acumen, stakeholder communication, and problem-solving methodologies.
Foster a collaborative, results-oriented team culture focused on continuous improvement and execution excellence.