Director of Operations

Schupan•Kalamazoo, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Operations is a dynamic leader, relationship builder, mentor, and coach who drives daily operations across Safety, Operational Excellence, Customer Experience, and Profitability — the core pillars of our manufacturing organization — while building an engaged, accountable team culture. This leader is the daily drum beat of continuous improvement through formal problem solving and mentorship.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business or an industry-relevant field
10+ years' experience leading an operations team
Proven leader with a demonstrated track record of operational improvement and successfully leading large, cross-functional teams
Demonstrated Lean and Continuous Improvement mindset applied throughout all areas of responsibility
Knowledge of production processes, quality control, and techniques for maximizing effective manufacturing
Ability to speak in front of large groups, including supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates
Ability to influence others to perform their jobs effectively and to be responsible for making decisions
Ability to mentor, motivate, direct, and evaluate the work of others
Strong active listening skills
Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite
Strong informal influence — able to drive alignment, build buy-in, and achieve results across departments without relying on direct authority

Responsibilities

Establishes and communicates the strategic direction of company operations and implements operations-related policies, practices, standards, and security measures to assure effective and consistent support and execution.
Aligns internal quality benchmarks with those of strategic customers to ensure mutual standards are met.
Directs daily operations across the Davis Creek, Toledo, and Dayton facilities, with primary oversight based at Davis Creek.
Mentors and coaches direct reports and emerging leaders, building bench strength and supporting long-term career development across the operations team.
Identifies, recommends, and implements new processes, technologies, and systems to improve and streamline organizational processes and use of resources and materials.
Builds strong, trust-based relationships across departments, customers, and all levels of the organization to drive alignment and results.
Establishes clear expectations, provides regular feedback, and recognizes achievements, fostering accountability among team members and improving productivity and quality standards.
Monitors and manages budgets, financial performance, and operational metrics to achieve and exceed business objectives.
Recruits, interviews, hires, and trains management-level staff; provides performance evaluations and handles discipline and termination needs.
Handles complex or difficult situations as directed.
Travels by air, train, or car based on the most efficient and effective mode of travel to accomplish goals and objectives.