Director of Manufacturing Operations

Jensen Metal Products • Caledonia, WI

22h

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 will initially focus on Jensen Metal Products and Jensen Powder Finishers, with responsibility for building the structure, discipline, and performance culture needed to support long-term growth across KSP Group. The role involves working both strategically and directly with manufacturing teams, including reviewing financial results, leading daily operational reviews, addressing production challenges on the shop floor, and developing frontline leaders.

The Director will lead operational strategy and business performance, including P&L results, budgets, manufacturing costs, productivity, and reporting to executive leadership. The role also leads continuous improvement across fabrication, welding, machining, powder coating, assembly, engineering, and support functions, using approaches such as Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, root cause problem solving, and waste reduction. The position builds and develops operational leadership teams and promotes accountability, collaboration, innovation, employee engagement, safety, and quality.

The role requires regular travel between KSP Group facilities and frequent presence on manufacturing floors. Travel is approximately 25–50%, primarily within Wisconsin and company operating locations, with occasional overnight trips 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 initiatives, corrective action processes, maintenance and equipment planning, capital investment justification, safety and operational accountability, and frontline leadership development.
• Proven track record 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 in both contract manufacturing and consumer products environments.
• ERP/MRP system experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute 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 improve 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.
• Promote employee engagement and create a safe, quality-focused work environment.
• Lead directly from the manufacturing floor, including involvement in production planning and scheduling, labor performance management, quality improvement, corrective actions, maintenance and equipment planning, capital investment justification, safety and operational accountability, and frontline leadership development.
• Travel regularly between KSP Group facilities and maintain frequent presence on manufacturing floors.

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 the 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