Director of Operations

Smiths Group•Melrose Park, IL

12d•Onsite

About The Position

DRC Heat Transfer, a US-based designer and manufacturer of custom heat transfer and cooling solutions, is hiring a Director of Operations in Melrose Park, Illinois. DRC is a subsidiary of Smiths Group PLC. As a member of DRC’s leadership team, the Director of Operations is accountable for the strategic vision and performance of manufacturing in a rapid-growth, multi-site Engineer-to-Order (ETO) and Make-to-Order (MTO) environment. This newly created role will apply operational experience, creativity, and problem-solving to address challenges associated with significant, multi-year growth. The Director will oversee manufacturing operations and their financial and operational performance, guide production planning and resource utilization, and lead manufacturing strategy, facility expansion, equipment investments, and workforce planning. The position promotes operational excellence through Lean Manufacturing, 6S, continuous improvement, and strong cross-functional collaboration. It also develops organizational capability through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and employee development. The role requires travel between local manufacturing facilities and work safely in a manufacturing environment while following applicable PPE requirements. The Director is expected to uphold company values, policies, safety practices, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements, and to foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, engagement, safety, and continuous learning.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Operations Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
A minimum of 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations, including strategic oversight of multi-site operations in an ETO and/or MTO environment.
Proven experience in a high-growth manufacturing environment supporting sustained annual growth rates of 25%–40% or greater across multiple facilities and production shifts.
Demonstrated success leading manufacturing organizations through rapid growth, operational scaling, process optimization, and organizational development.
Extensive experience managing multiple production facilities, diverse product portfolios, and complex manufacturing schedules.
Strong background in Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, operational excellence, and change management.
Experience with P&L management, capital planning, capacity expansion, workforce planning, and strategic business execution.
Proven ability to develop high-performing teams, build leadership pipelines, and drive accountability across organizational levels.
Demonstrated excellence in leadership, interpersonal communication, coaching, and employee development.
Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
Self-motivated and results-oriented, able to work independently while fostering collaboration.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to influence stakeholders at all organizational levels.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while maintaining focus on safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
Ability and willingness to travel between multiple local manufacturing facilities.
Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
Ability to work safely in a manufacturing environment and comply with PPE requirements, including safety glasses and steel-toe footwear.
Adherence to company policies, safety procedures, equipment operating guidelines, and regulatory requirements.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree.
Experience leading teams through organizational growth, operational change, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

Lead manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives while driving team performance, accountability, and operational excellence.
Maintain P&L responsibility and accountability for manufacturing operations, achieving financial and operational objectives.
Help establish and execute short- and long-term manufacturing strategies, including facility expansion, equipment investments, and workforce planning.
Oversee the master production schedule to support on-time delivery, customer satisfaction, and efficient resource utilization.
Align production activities to optimize labor utilization, productivity, and efficiency in a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment.
Implement and sustain effective manufacturing processes, systems, and operational practices.
Make timely, data-driven operational decisions, including in response to machine downtime and production disruptions.
Champion Lean Manufacturing, 6S, and continuous improvement to reduce waste and improve quality and costs.
Develop organizational capability through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and promotion of high-potential employees.
Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Customer Service to achieve business objectives and improve operations.
Foster collaboration, accountability, engagement, safety, and continuous learning across the organization.
Ensure work is performed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
Demonstrate DRC’s core values; protect and strengthen its culture through positive leadership and professional conduct.
Follow company policies and regulatory requirements and maintain confidentiality, information security, integrity, and ethical conduct.
Support a safe, clean, and organized work environment; identify or report hazards and promptly report incidents, injuries, unsafe conditions, and near misses to the Safety Manager and appropriate leadership.
Support continuous improvement, accountability, teamwork, and operational excellence throughout the organization.
Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.
Travel between local manufacturing facilities to provide operational oversight, leadership, and support.