Director of Operations
About The Position
The Director of Operations leads manufacturing operations across three facilities and their plant leadership teams. Reporting to the VP General Manager, the role is responsible for operating budgets, capital planning, workforce utilization, and achieving safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity objectives. The facilities produce standard and customized architectural building products. The Director leads production, manufacturing engineering, quality, maintenance, and sourcing, aligning operations with customer specifications, project timelines, and business objectives. The position is based onsite at Kalwall Enterprises in Manchester, New Hampshire, and requires regular travel among manufacturing facilities. The Director develops manufacturing strategies, drives continuous improvement and operational excellence, oversees capital projects, and builds effective teams through workforce planning, leadership development, succession planning, and talent management. The role also leads organizational and operational change, including business integration, process standardization, and technology adoption.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related field.
- At least 10 years of manufacturing leadership experience.
- Experience leading plant managers and cross-functional technical teams.
- Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, capital planning, and manufacturing cost analysis.
- Demonstrated success implementing Lean or another structured operating system.
- Strong change-management, communication, and executive-influencing capabilities.
- Ability to travel regularly among manufacturing facilities.
Nice To Haves
- MBA preferred.
- Experience working in a make-to-order environment.
- Experience in architectural products, custom manufacturing, or specification-driven industries.
- Proven success improving operational performance in high-mix, variable-volume environments.
- Experience leading ERP implementation, process standardization, or manufacturing technology initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Lead manufacturing operations across three facilities, aligning them with business objectives, customer commitments, and financial goals.
- Drive a safety culture focused on employee engagement, risk reduction, and regulatory compliance.
- Develop and execute strategies to improve operational performance, capacity utilization, productivity, quality, and profitability.
- Ensure execution of safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives while meeting customer and project requirements.
- Lead continuous improvement through Lean manufacturing, process optimization, and operational excellence initiatives.
- Partner with engineering teams to improve manufacturability, support product innovation, and enhance production processes.
- Develop capital investment strategies and oversee projects that improve productivity, capacity, quality, and operational capability.
- Lead production, manufacturing engineering, quality, maintenance, and sourcing functions.
- Build high-performing teams through succession planning, leadership development, workforce planning, and talent management.
- Lead organizational and operational change initiatives, including business integration, process standardization, and technology adoption.
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits package for employees and dependents, including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage.
- Incentive plans.
- 401(k) with employer contribution and match.
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan with employer match.
- Paid time off, including vacation and sick time.
- Paid holidays.
- Tuition reimbursement program.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Wellness program.
- Training and career progression.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
