Operations Director

Gotion, Inc.•Manteno, IL

10d•$200,000 - $240,000

About The Position

Gotion Inc. is hiring an Operations Director to lead and coordinate key operational functions at its Chicago-area manufacturing facility, including production planning, supply chain, Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS), and infrastructure/construction engineering. The role supports production readiness, material availability, operational continuity, regulatory compliance, facility development, and cross-functional execution. The Director works with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Finance, Human Resources, IT, and other functional leaders to support safe, efficient, and scalable operations. The position oversees Production Planning/PMC, Supply Chain and Logistics, Warehouse and Inventory, EHS, and Infrastructure/Construction/Facility Engineering. It also leads managers and operational teams, establishes organizational goals and succession plans, recruits and develops talent, and fosters a collaborative, safety-focused, high-performance culture. Key performance measures span production planning, supply chain, EHS, infrastructure, and overall operational performance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
10 or more years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, supply chain, production planning, engineering, or related functions.
5 or more years of leadership experience managing managers and/or multiple operational functions.
Strong experience in large-scale manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated experience in production planning, supply chain management, and plant operations.
Working knowledge of EHS management and U.S. regulatory requirements.
Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP systems.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or MBA.
Experience supporting facility construction, plant expansion, infrastructure, or manufacturing engineering projects.
SAP experience.
Experience in lithium-ion battery, EV, automotive, energy storage, electronics, or advanced manufacturing.
Experience supporting the launch or ramp-up of a new manufacturing facility in the United States.
Experience managing complex global supply chains.
Familiarity with high-volume automated manufacturing environments.
Experience working with international and cross-cultural teams.
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, S&OP, inventory optimization, and operational excellence methodologies.
PMP, APICS/CPIM/CSCP, Six Sigma, or related professional certification.

Responsibilities

Lead production planning and scheduling based on demand, capacity, materials, and priorities; develop short- and long-term production plans.
Coordinate manpower, equipment, and materials to meet production targets; monitor execution, identify delivery risks, and resolve operational constraints across functions.
Track production and operational KPIs, including production attainment, inventory, material availability, delivery, and efficiency; support S&OP and capacity planning.
Lead plant supply chain operations, including production planning, materials, procurement, inventory, warehousing, and logistics.
Ensure material availability and optimal inventory levels; improve inventory turnover, reduce excess and obsolete stock, and drive supplier performance and supply continuity.
Identify supply chain risks and implement contingency plans; manage domestic and international logistics and improve cost, efficiency, and delivery performance.
Lead the plant’s EHS programs and team to support compliance with safety and environmental regulations and promote a strong safety culture.
Oversee inspections, risk assessments, corrective actions, emergency preparedness, EHS performance, regulatory audits, inspections, and permitting activities.
Lead facility engineering, infrastructure, and construction projects, including plant expansion, renovations, and infrastructure improvements.
Manage contractors, vendors, and project stakeholders; ensure projects meet scope, budget, schedule, quality, and safety requirements.
Maintain critical facility systems, utilities, and infrastructure readiness; support production-line installation, commissioning, and facility startup.
Establish and manage operational processes across planning, supply chain, EHS, and infrastructure; lead operational reviews and ensure action items are completed.
Identify and escalate operational risks; implement continuous improvement focused on safety, cost, delivery, inventory, and efficiency.
Drive KPI-based decision-making and operational visibility; support ERP/MRP and digitalization initiatives.
Foster collaboration across Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Finance, HR, and IT.
Lead, develop, and mentor managers and operational teams; establish organizational structure, goals, and succession plans.
Recruit, develop, and retain key talent; drive performance, accountability, and continuous improvement while fostering a collaborative, safety-focused, high-performance culture.