Director of Operations

ARCH•Athol, MA

About The Position

The Director of Operations leads manufacturing operations and production management, coordinating production, distribution, warehousing, and sales activities in alignment with organizational policies. The role maintains operational visibility, addresses quality and production issues, manages production costs and quality, and plans the efficient use of materials, machines, and personnel. It also coordinates manufacturing with other organizational functions and suppliers. The position develops capacity strategies and implementation plans to support sales and growth objectives, participates in annual and strategic planning and budget development, contributes to product strategy and development, and uses operational metrics to support company objectives. It establishes production and quality standards and cost controls, oversees safety and compliance, ensures employee training, and promotes accountability and continuous improvement. The Director determines organizational responsibilities, supports job planning and facility capacity strategies, and guides manufacturing process planning—including personnel, materials, subcontracting, facilities, tooling, and equipment. The role also supports equipment maintenance and long-term infrastructure planning and manages production data and reporting. The position works in both an office and an active manufacturing shop environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
Minimum of five years of progressive manufacturing or operations leadership experience.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive accountability at all organizational levels.
Strong understanding of the business implications of operational decisions, with an orientation toward profitability and strategic alignment.
Ability to respond promptly to customer needs, solicit feedback, and consistently meet commitments.
Ability to work with mathematical concepts including probability, statistical inference, plane and solid geometry, and trigonometry, and apply them to production scenarios.
Ability to solve complex practical problems involving multiple variables in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
Ability to write operational reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Ability to regularly sit, stand, walk, and move throughout the facility; reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Nice To Haves

Previous plant or operations management experience is strongly preferred.
Experience in a regulated or precision manufacturing environment is a significant advantage.
Familiarity with ERP or MES systems.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain manufacturing operations business plans covering program requirements, labor hours, cycle times, production costs, and facility image.
Coordinate production, distribution, warehousing, and sales activities in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
Maintain visibility across production functions, identify systemic quality or production issues, and direct supervisory teams in resolving them.
Review production costs, product quality, and operational reports; direct resolution of manufacturing and maintenance problems to minimize costs and prevent delays.
Plan efficient utilization of materials, machines, and personnel.
Coordinate manufacturing activities with organizational functions and suppliers to optimize production and human resource utilization.
Develop capacity strategies, implementation plans, and programs that support the sales plan and growth objectives.
Participate in annual planning, budget development, and strategic planning, including vision, mission, values, and desired culture.
Provide input into product strategy and research and development of new and emerging products.
Review competitor operations and direct sales programs to identify and develop new markets.
Develop and improve operational metrics that support company objectives without adding unnecessary bureaucracy.
Establish and maintain production and quality control standards and develop budget and cost controls.
Ensure cost, quality, and delivery commitments are met consistently.
Monitor safety issues, identify root causes, and work to eliminate risk.
Abide by and enforce safety and quality system requirements and participate in contract reviews.
Ensure employees receive required training and develop training processes as operational needs evolve.
Determine responsibilities of organizational units and staff positions to accomplish business objectives.
Train assigned employees and ensure awareness of and compliance with company, government, and customer policies, procedures, and regulations.
Support job planning processes and facility capacity strategies to meet growth demands.
Provide clear feedback, promote communication across all levels, and foster accountability and continuous improvement.
Guide manufacturing process planning, including personnel requirements, material needs, subcontract requirements, facility needs, tooling, and equipment.
Support strategies and programs for facility capacity, equipment maintenance, and long-term infrastructure planning.
Manage administrative activities associated with shop operations, including compiling, storing, and retrieving production data for reporting.