Senior Director - Factory Operations

S&C Electric Company•Chicago, IL

13d•$205,843 - $272,739•Onsite

About The Position

As an S&C Electric team member, you’ll work on projects that have real-world impact. You’ll help transform the grid for resilient and reliable power worldwide. S&C has more than a 100-year history of innovation and has been 100% employee-owned since 2012. We continue this legacy as a trusted, forward-thinking leader in the electrical industry. You will advance a safer, more reliable, and more resilient electrical grid. Our products help the grid adapt to severe weather and transition to clean energy. We’re big enough to be a respected industry leader but small enough for you to impact our company directly. Our commitment gives you opportunities to impact on and off the job positively. Join S&C to make an impact on tomorrow’s energy challenges and become an employee-owner Hours 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Mon-Fri) On-Site Compensation At S&C, we are dedicated to providing competitive and equitable compensation for all our team members, and we are committed to transparency in our pay practices. The estimated annual base salary range for this position is $205,843 - $272,739.06. Individual pay within this salary range is determined by several compensable factors, including performance, knowledge, job-related skills and experience, and relevant education or training. This role is also eligible for S&C’s annual incentive plan (AIP), subject to eligibility criteria. Join Our Team as Senior Director-Factory Operations! Are you passionate about Production Operations? S&C Electric Company is seeking a dynamic individual to join our Production department. As Senior Director-Factory Operations, you’ll be crucial in ensuring smooth operations and supporting our diverse team. The Director/Senior Director of Factory Operations will lead the launch, ramp-up and ongoing management of a new 200,000+ sq. ft. manufacturing facility. This executive will oversee all aspects of factory setup, operational readiness, and long-term performance, ensuring the site meets production, quality, safety, cost and workforce engagement goals. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in greenfield factory launches, multi-disciplinary operational leadership, and the ability to align executives, cross-functional teams, and the broader workforce around a shared vision. This role requires a strategic, hands-on leader with a proven track record of building high-performing operations from the ground up.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Management , or related field.
10-15+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including direct responsibility for launching and managing large-scale (>200,000+ sq. ft.) factory operations.
Demonstrated success in greenfield site development, factory startup, and full-cycle operational leadership.
Strong expertise in manufacturing engineering, production planning, quality engineering systems, materials management and supply chain, warehouse operations, facilities management, environmental (zoning and regulatory compliance), labor management and human resources partnership.
Proven ability to lead large teams and develop strong leadership benches.
Exceptional communication skills with the ability to keep executives aligned, informed and engaged.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a track record of driving measurable improvements.
Experience managing multimillion-dollar budgets and capital projects.

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Management or related field.
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification
Project Management Professional (PMP)

Responsibilities

Factory Setup and Operational Launch Lead end-to-end planning, construction coordination, and commissioning of a 200,000 sq. ft. or larger manufacturing facility.
Oversee layout design, equipment selection, installation, and validation to ensure optimal material flow and production efficiency.
Develop and execute factory startup plans, including staffing, training, safety programs and operational readiness milestones.
Establish scalable systems, processes, and KPIs to support long-term operational excellence.
Operations Leadership Direct daily operations across manufacturing, engineering, quality, materials, warehouse and maintenance functions.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance throughput, quality, cost efficiency and safety performance.
Ensure alignment with corporate objectives and maintain clear, proactive communication with executive leadership.
Build and lead a high-performing leadership team capable of supporting rapid growth and operational complexity.
Facilities, Compliance and Regulatory Oversight Oversee facilities management, including utilities, infrastructure, maintenance programs, and site services.
Ensure compliance with zoning requirements, environmental regulations, permitting and all applicable federal, state and local laws.
Partner with legal, environmental, and government affairs teams to maintain a compliant and risk-mitigated operation.
People Leadership and Workforce Engagement Partner with HR on workforce planning, hiring, training and development for a large, diverse manufacturing team.
Partner with HR to manage labor relations, employee engagement, performance management and organizational development.
Foster a culture of accountability, safety, collaboration and continuous improvement.
Serve as a visible, motivating leader who inspires teams at all levels.
Financial & Budget Management Develop and manage annual operating budgets, capital expenditure plans, and cost-control strategies.
Monitor financial performance, identify variances, and implement corrective actions to meet cost, productivity and efficiency targets.
Lead long-range planning for capacity, expansion, capital investments and operational scaling.
Compliance Understand and comply with all applicable Company policies and rules.