Sr. Director - Operations

Pregis•Elgin, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a high-impact Senior Director of Operations to lead operational excellence and plant performance transformation across all facilities within the business unit. This role is focused on rapidly identifying inefficiencies, implementing corrective actions, and building a culture of sustainable improvement and accountability. The Senior Director of Operations will be responsible for improving operational results across all facets of the business by identifying process improvement opportunities, executing data-driven solutions, and fostering a high-performing, lean, and engaged workforce. This is a critical leadership role for a hands-on, results-oriented leader with experience leading turnarounds, embedding Lean culture, and delivering measurable business results.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, or related field, preferred.
Minimum of 15 years of progressive operations leadership experience in manufacturing, including previous multi-site leadership experience.
Experience in packaging and converting strongly preferred.
Demonstrated success leading an operational transformation—must show measurable improvement in KPIs.
Deep understanding and application of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement principles.
Proven experience overseeing multi-site operations, preferably in a fast-paced, custom or high-mix environment.
Strong track record of leading cross-functional teams through cultural and organizational change.
Strategic thinking with the ability to execute at a tactical level.
Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills at all organizational levels.
Ability to manage multiple conflicting priorities and deliver results under pressure.
Leadership experience in mentoring, coaching, and developing teams.
High level of business acumen and financial literacy.

Responsibilities

Ensure the entire Operations team is focused on the critical items that have the biggest impact to both top and bottom-line performance.
Build relationships with multiple functions on the business unit and corporate teams to ensure Operational Excellence results are delivered in a timely fashion while demonstrating collaboration as a core value.
Communicate clearly and concisely to all stakeholders ensuring messaging is both simple and thorough.
Be accountable for KPI results at multiple manufacturing sites, instilling process discipline, performance rigor, and a continuous improvement mindset.
Provide strategic and tactical leadership in all aspects of operations including production, maintenance, quality, safety, logistics, and planning.
Partner closely with the greater Pregis organization collaborating and utilizing resources such as the central business operations group and other available resources to enhance business operations standards.
Champion Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives to reduce waste, improve flow, and increase plant efficiency and responsiveness.
Conduct thorough performance assessments and gap analyses; establish KPIs and lead initiatives that improve OEE, reduce scrap, improve quality, minimize downtime, and enhance delivery performance.
Build a scalable and data-driven operational model supported by analytics, business cases, and cost-benefit justifications.
Develop and implement performance metrics and dashboards to support real-time decision-making.
Lead, develop, and mentor plant leadership teams, driving ownership and accountability at every level.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams—including Engineering, Supply Chain, Sales, Customer Service, and Finance—to ensure alignment of operational goals with broader business objectives.
Support new technology adoption, capital investments, and equipment upgrades to enhance productivity and competitiveness.
Establish and maintain policies, procedures, and documentation for standard work and best practices.
Promote a culture of safety and compliance, ensuring adherence to OSHA and internal safety standards.