Senior Director - Factory Operations

S&C Electric Company • Chicago, IL

14d • $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
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.

Benefits

• Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical & Prescription, Dental, Vision, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, , Health Savings Account (HSA), Group Life Insurance, optional Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance, Wellbeing Resources including Employee Assistance Program and Family Forming Benefits (i.e., Adoption and Fertility support)
• Leave Benefits: Vacation Time, Sick Time, Paid Holidays and Company Shutdown days, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Other Leaves, Paid Parental Time and Military Leave
• Retirement Benefits: 401(k) Retirement Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (KSOP) offering traditional and Roth 401(k) options and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) component; KSOP participants can receive annual ESOP company contributions of over 11% of eligible earnings (3% Core, up to 3.5% Match, Variable Periodic).

What This Job Offers

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