Director, Operations

Watlow Recruitment Team • Columbia, MO

39d • Onsite

About The Position

Watlow is seeking a Director of Operations to lead our Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Columbia, Missouri. Reporting to the Senior Director of Operations, you will provide both strategic direction and hands-on leadership across production, quality, safety, supply chain, and engineering to deliver world-class products and drive operational excellence. As a key member of the Operations Leadership Team, you will partner closely with Business Units, New Product Development, and executive leadership to align operational capabilities with business objectives. This is a high-impact opportunity for an experienced operations leader who thrives in complex, high-tech manufacturing environments, is passionate about Lean transformation, and has the vision to build and develop high-performing teams. If you are a hands-on leader who drives accountability and continuous improvement from the shop floor to the executive table, we would love to connect with you.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business
• 10+ years of progressive leadership in manufacturing operations, with direct oversight of production, supply chain, engineering, and quality
• Demonstrated success implementing Lean principles at scale with hands-on transformation experience, not just knowledge
• Semiconductor industry or similarly complex, high-precision manufacturing environment experience
• Proven project management track record delivering on-time, on-budget initiatives
• Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI/NPD) in a manufacturing setting
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with a data-driven approach to performance management and decision-making
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed (<10%)

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree (MS or MBA) in Business, Engineering, or Operations Management
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Black Belt or Master Black Belt)
• Change management experience leading cultural transformations in complex organizations
• Background aligning and collaborating with front-end design and development functions (BU, Sales, Engineering) to ensure linkage to the manufacturing setting
• Experience scaling operations in high-growth or innovation-driven industries

Responsibilities

• Lead all manufacturing operations to consistently achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives across the Columbia facility.
• Build, coach, and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement at every level of the organization.
• Drive the application of Lean principles to streamline processes, improve throughput, and enhance overall equipment effectiveness — embedding behaviors, not just tools.
• Collaborate with Business Units and New Product Development to ensure seamless integration of new products into production, aligning operational capabilities with innovation priorities.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to track performance, productivity, and Lean progress, using data to drive informed decisions and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, environmental, and industry standards, and champion quality through robust control measures and a culture of excellence.
• Manage budgets, resources, and capital investments with a focus on efficiency and return, identifying and pursuing cost-reduction opportunities across products, processes, and projects.
• Evaluate and introduce new technologies, systems, and methods to strengthen production capabilities and competitive positioning.
• Lead site-level engagement initiatives that align with Watlow’s purpose, vision, and strategy, promoting collaboration, trust, and open communication across leadership, teams, and stakeholders.
• Represent the site within the Watlow Business System (WBS) framework, ensuring consistent adoption of best practices across the organization.

Benefits

• Annual Incentive Program
• 401(k) plan that includes a company match on your contribution and an annual company contribution that is tied to company performance
• Wellness incentives
• Employee Personal Assistance Program
• Dental, medical, vision and short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Paid holidays, personal time, and vacation
• Parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director