Director of Manufacturing Operations

Jensen Metal Products • Racine, WI

3d

About The Position

KSP Group, Inc./Jensen Metal Products is seeking a hands-on manufacturing leader to drive operational excellence, strengthen accountability, improve execution, and build scalable operating systems across its manufacturing businesses. This multi-site position initially focuses on Jensen Metal Products and Jensen Powder Finishers, with the opportunity to influence company strategy and support long-term growth across KSP Group.

The Director will lead operational strategy and performance, own operational results and P&L across assigned manufacturing operations, develop budgets, and use cost, labor, productivity, and expense analysis to improve profitability. The role leads continuous improvement across manufacturing and support functions, including fabrication, welding, machining, powder coating, assembly, and engineering. It also builds and develops operational leadership teams and promotes accountability, collaboration, employee engagement, safety, and quality.

The position requires frequent presence on manufacturing floors and regular travel between KSP Group facilities. Travel is approximately 25–50%, primarily within Wisconsin and company operating locations, with occasional overnight travel for customer visits, supplier meetings, strategic initiatives, and industry events.

Requirements

• Demonstrated success leading directly from the manufacturing floor, with personal involvement in production planning and scheduling, labor performance management, quality improvement, corrective actions, maintenance and equipment planning, capital investment justification, safety, operational accountability, and frontline leadership development.
• Proven track record of transforming entrepreneurial manufacturing organizations into process-driven, scalable operations through strategic leadership and active engagement with frontline teams.
• Ability to establish accountability without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Strong understanding of fabrication, welding, machining, finishing, assembly, materials management, and manufacturing cost drivers.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, or a related field.
• Multi-site manufacturing leadership experience.
• Lean Six Sigma certification.
• Experience within both contract manufacturing and consumer products environments.
• ERP/MRP system experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of operational strategies that support long-term business objectives and growth initiatives.
• Partner with executive leadership to establish priorities, allocate resources, and drive enterprise-wide operational improvements.
• Lead plant leadership teams in defining strategic direction, performance goals, and key operational initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for automation, process optimization, capacity expansion, and operational scalability.
• Own operational performance and P&L results across assigned manufacturing operations.
• Develop departmental budgets, monitor spending, and manage operational resources responsibly.
• Analyze manufacturing costs, labor efficiency, productivity metrics, and operating expenses to drive profitability.
• Report operational performance and improvement initiatives to executive leadership.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across fabrication, welding, machining, powder coating, assembly, engineering, and support functions.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, root-cause problem solving, and waste reduction efforts.
• Improve throughput, quality, safety, delivery performance, and overall operational efficiency.
• Lead cross-functional projects focused on sustainable operational gains and measurable business results.
• Build, coach, and develop high-performing operational leadership teams.
• Foster accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement, while promoting employee engagement and a safe, quality-focused work environment.
• Personally engage in production planning and scheduling, labor performance management, quality improvement, corrective action processes, maintenance and equipment planning, capital investment justification, safety and operational accountability, and frontline leadership development.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary plus profit sharing.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with multiple plan options, FSA benefits, and the ability to use an existing HSA.
• Company-funded medical deductible reimbursement up to $1,000 for an individual or $2,000 for a family.
• 401(k) with company match up to 4%.
• Life and disability insurance and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Annual Safety PPE reimbursement.
• Collaborative, team-oriented environment with direct access to leadership and an opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a growing organization.
• Company-sponsored team events and outings.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed