Director of Operations

ESAB•Gurnee, IL

33d

About The Position

The Director of Operations offers the leadership, management, and vision needed to ensure the company has appropriate operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, personnel, and systems in place to effectively expand the organization and maintain financial strength and operational efficiency. This role will guide the transition from a full-scale manufacturing setup to a light assembly configuration, aligning operations with business goals in a highly regulated medical device industry. Critical to success: Strong Project Management, SIOP and inventory management capabilities and proven experience in subcontractor/vendor management to deliver complex initiatives on time and within budget.

Requirements

10+ years’ experience in operations, engineering, or maintenance management roles of increasing responsibility, preferably in FDA-regulated environments.
Proven track record in Project Management and subcontractor/vendor management for large-scale operational initiatives.
Bachelors’ Degree Required - Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or Finance
PMP or equivalent certification strongly preferred.
Ability to travel domestically approximately 5%

Responsibilities

Operate in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with the ability to prioritize and drive actions to closure.
Lead major projects related to operational transformation, ensuring scope, timeline, and budget adherence.
Drive new and fast-growing technologies to upgrade manufacturing processes.
Develop advanced manufacturing capabilities that enable short- and long-term business priorities and objectives.
Define operational vision and strategy and establish organizational direction and focus.
Drive results by fostering creativity and accountability in a performance-oriented culture.
Execute multiple, simultaneous high-impact initiatives to achieve overall goals.
Exercise agility in solving problems with the ability to quickly identify profitable opportunities, diagnose errors, prioritize actions, and optimize systems and processes.
Execute strategies to optimize the supply chain, inventory, and logistics to ensure timely delivery of products.
Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations and standards.
Collaborate with other departments, including R&D, Sales, and Finance, to ensure alignment and support for operational goals.
Implement and maintain best practices in operations, including lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other process improvement methodologies.
Manage subcontractors and external vendors, ensuring quality, compliance, and timely delivery of outsourced components and services.
Apply formal project management methodologies (e.g., PMP, Agile) to oversee capital improvement initiatives and expansion plans.