Director of Operations - MCL

The Village Companies•Pulaski, WI

26d•$125,000 - $160,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Operations leads MCL’s Contract Manufacturing Services operations and is responsible for the overall performance of manufacturing as well as the materials management and quality functions supporting both of our facilities. Reporting to the VP of Manufacturing Services and serving as a member of the MCL Leadership Team, this role provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure safe, efficient, and profitable manufacturing performance while aligning production capacity, supply chain strategy, and quality systems with customer demand and company financial objectives. The Director of Operations leads the Operations Managers for the Assembly and Fabrication facilities, the Materials Manager responsible for procurement, planning, and inventory management, and the Quality Manager responsible for quality systems, compliance, and product integrity. This role ensures strong coordination across engineering, product integration, sales, and supply chain teams to deliver high-quality products on time while protecting margin and operational performance. This position requires a strategic leader who can develop high-performing teams, drive operational excellence, and continuously improve the value stream to support growth in MCL’s Contract Manufacturing Services business.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or related field preferred.
Minimum 10 years of manufacturing leadership experience.
Demonstrated experience in supply chain management, production planning, and operational leadership.
Strong leadership and organizational development skills.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Strong financial acumen with the ability to manage operational budgets and performance metrics.
Experience with ERP systems and operational data analysis.
Knowledge of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and lead cross-functional teams effectively.
Strong negotiation and vendor management capabilities.
Be able to lift at least 25 lbs. and up to 50 lbs. for short periods

Nice To Haves

Experience managing multi-site operations or complex manufacturing environments preferred.
Lean Manufacturing or Continuous Improvement training preferred.

Responsibilities

Operational Leadership
Provide leadership and direction for the Assembly and Fabrication Operations Managers to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production output.
Ensure operational performance meets or exceeds company targets for safety, quality, delivery, and productivity.
Align production capacity with forecasted demand and customer commitments.
Establish operational strategies that support growth in contract manufacturing services.
Develop and execute operational plans to achieve financial objectives and margin performance.
Monitor operational performance metrics and implement corrective actions where required.
Supply Chain and Materials Management
Provide leadership to the Materials Manager responsible for procurement, inventory management, and production planning.
Oversee supplier performance, cost management, and supply chain risk mitigation strategies.
Ensure appropriate inventory levels are maintained to support production while optimizing working capital.
Support the development of supplier partnerships and sourcing strategies that improve cost, quality, and delivery performance.
Collaborate with estimating, engineering, and sales to support material requirements for new product introductions.
Production Planning and Execution
Ensure alignment between the SIOP process, demand forecasts, and operational capacity.
Lead operational planning for both near-term production and long-term capacity strategy.
Resolve production constraints related to labor, materials, or equipment.
Drive continuous improvement in scheduling accuracy and on-time delivery performance.
Support proactive demand management and customer communication regarding production capabilities.
Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence
Drive Lean manufacturing initiatives across both facilities to improve efficiency and eliminate waste.
Promote continuous improvement through value stream analysis and performance metrics.
Implement operational best practices to improve productivity, quality, and cost performance.
Support the development of future-state operational strategies including automation, equipment investment, and process improvements.
Financial and Strategic Accountability
Participate in the development and management of departmental operating budgets and capital expenditure plans.
Monitor operational costs, labor productivity, and material performance to ensure profitability targets are achieved.
Analyze operational data and forecast trends to guide strategic decision-making.
Identify and implement cost savings initiatives across the value stream.
Leadership and Organizational Development
Provide leadership and coaching to operations and materials teams, ensuring strong engagement and accountability.
Develop leadership capabilities within the Operations and Supply Chain organizations.
Foster a culture of collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement.
Ensure employees understand and support the mission, vision, and values of The Village Companies.
Customer and Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with Sales, Engineering, and Product Integration teams to ensure smooth execution of new product launches.
Participate in customer discussions when operational expertise is required.
Ensure operational readiness for new programs and strategic customer initiatives.
Support resolution of technical or supply chain issues affecting production or customer delivery.
Quality Leadership
Provide leadership and oversight for the Quality Manager and quality team supporting both Assembly and Fabrication operations.
Ensure robust quality systems are maintained to meet customer requirements and regulatory standards.
Drive accountability for product quality, defect reduction, and root cause problem solving.
Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing PPM, improving process capability, and strengthening quality performance.
Ensure quality processes effectively support new product introductions and production launches.
Partner with operations and engineering to resolve quality issues and implement sustainable corrective actions.