Director of Manufacturing

Campus Ink•Urbana, IL

8h•Onsite

About The Position

Campus Ink is a high-growth tech and logistics powerhouse in Central Illinois, specializing in high-quality, on-demand apparel decorating solutions. They are the leading NIL merchandiser in the nation, currently partnering with over 175 Division 1 Schools and supporting more than 30,000 student-athletes. The company manages multiple verticals, from procurement and fulfillment to high-volume manufacturing, shipping thousands of custom products daily. As Campus Ink scales, they are focusing on proprietary tech integration, automation, and sustainable manufacturing to revolutionize the industry. The mission is to find a Director of Manufacturing who is a "Builder" and a "Meaningful Contributor". This is a full-scale leadership role requiring a blend of seasoned operational strategy and a "roll-up-your-sleeves" mentality. The Director will be the heartbeat of the facility, driving the change management necessary to professionalize the production floor and take a fast-growing operation to its next level of maturity.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years in a manufacturing leadership role.
Strong understanding of manufacturing technology and materials.
Advanced Excel skills and proficiency in manufacturing/ERP software are required.
Ability to create dynamic reports and use data to drive operational efficiency.
A "technology-forward thinker" who is an approachable leader, viewing mistakes as learning opportunities while maintaining high standards of accountability.

Nice To Haves

preferably in screen printing or product customization

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain a robust Inventory Management System for all Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) and wholesale production in Urbana.
Lead the transition from sales-based production to work-order-based operations, implementing Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies to maximize productivity and minimize waste.
Align daily production schedules with company-wide scaling goals.
Own the "Campus Ink Way"—defining SOPs, measuring them against KPIs, and identifying gaps for continuous improvement.
Manage the cost of manufacturing labor and implement rigorous tracking for spoilage of garments, supplies, and spend on re-do orders to protect margins.
Oversee the installations of our "Blanks Program," manage the supply chain, and project manage the implementation of new technology into the business.
Project manage any future facility build-outs and transitions as the company expands its physical footprint.