Operations Director

ITW • Glenview, IL

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

As a key divisional leader, the Operations Director is responsible for developing and executing the long-term operations strategy that enables profitable growth across a significant business within the Construction segment. This role drives operational excellence by ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality products, in the right quantities to meet customer demand, while optimizing cost, productivity, and profitability in alignment with ITW's enterprise objectives. The Operations Director provides strategic leadership and oversight across manufacturing, supply chain, sourcing, manufacturing engineering, safety, and quality functions spanning five locations (with the greater Chicago area). By leveraging ITW's business model and continuous improvement principles, the role ensures operational capabilities support growth, enhance customer satisfaction, and deliver sustainable business performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or a related field required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive operations leadership experience in complex manufacturing environments, including multi-site responsibility.
• Proven success leading manufacturing, supply chain, quality, engineering, warehousing, and safety functions while delivering strong business and financial results.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute operational strategies that drive growth, productivity, customer service, and margin improvement.
• Strong financial and business acumen, including experience managing budgets, capital investments, cost reduction, and operational performance metrics.
• Proven track record of building high-performing teams, developing leaders, and driving organizational capability through coaching and succession planning.
• Experience leading supply chain optimization, supplier quality improvement, and large-scale operational or business transformation initiatives.
• Strong change management, project management, and cross-functional leadership skills, with the ability to influence and drive results across organizational boundaries.
• Deep commitment to safety, quality, compliance, and continuous improvement, with experience relevant operating disciplines.
• Excellent communication and executive presence, with the ability to effectively engage employees, customers, suppliers, and senior leadership.
• Willingness to travel regularly to operating locations, with occasional international travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute manufacturing strategies that ensure safe, efficient operations and consistent delivery of high-quality products.
• Establish and monitor key performance metrics to drive continuous improvement and exceed operational targets.
• Lead cross-functional quality initiatives, strengthen supplier accountability, and improve supplier and end-of-line quality performance.
• Oversee capital planning and execute operational CAPEX projects that enhance productivity, capacity, and growth.
• Partner with segment sourcing and supply chain teams to optimize supply chain and distribution performance.
• Drive productivity improvements and cost reductions through the application of the ITW Toolbox and continuous improvement principles.
• Manage supply chain performance through strategic sourcing, supplier partnerships, inventory optimization, and transportation cost control.
• Improve conversion costs by reducing waste, scrap, rework, and other operational inefficiencies.
• Enhance delivery performance and inventory optimization through strong MRD practices across manufactured and purchased products.
• Drive collaboration with engineering, marketing, and sourcing teams to ensure successful new product introductions on time and on cost.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements and company standards.
• Foster a high-performance culture through effective communication, employee engagement, coaching, and leadership development.
• Build organizational capability by developing Operations, Engineering, and Supply Chain leaders and driving succession planning.
• Champion a world-class safety culture through proactive risk identification, mitigation, and employee accountability.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The position is also eligible to participate in ITW’s incentive programs.

What This Job Offers

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