Senior Director, Operations
About The Position
The Senior Director, Operations is a strategic operations leader responsible for scaling a $1.5B+ manufacturing campus and a multi-site footprint through digital transformation, operational excellence, and leadership. The role has long-term responsibility for operational strategy, digital transformation, capacity planning, and Smart Factory initiatives, with an immediate focus on stabilizing and transforming nVent’s Anoka manufacturing operation. The campus generates approximately $1.5 billion in annual revenue and employs about 1,700 people, with expected growth to approximately 2,000 employees. It is nVent’s largest U.S. manufacturing operation and its second-largest globally. Reporting directly to the Vice President, Integrated Supply Chain of the Systems Protection Segment, the position has broad organizational visibility and a key role in shaping the future operating model of a strategically important manufacturing asset. The role may provide opportunities for broader enterprise leadership within nVent’s global Integrated Supply Chain organization. The Senior Director owns operational performance across Operations, Procurement, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Environmental Health & Safety, Facilities, Material Handling, and Business Support. The role develops site and multi-location strategies, leads transformation and Smart Factory advancement, builds organizational capability, and drives safety, quality, delivery, cost, cash flow, and sustainability performance. The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a similar field. An MBA or other graduate degree is preferred. They bring deep manufacturing and continuous-improvement expertise, experience leading large-scale transformation, and the ability to develop high-performing teams and execute strategic plans in a complex, high-growth environment.
Requirements
- BA or BS degree in Business, Engineering, or a similar field.
- Deep understanding of Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous-improvement methodologies such as TPM and Kaizen in high-volume environments.
- Strong command of Smart Factory technologies, including IoT integration, predictive maintenance, automated material handling, and data-driven shop-floor management.
- Comprehensive knowledge of EHS compliance, supply chain logistics, strategic procurement, and capital expenditure management.
- Expertise in long-range capacity planning, workforce strategy, and balancing legacy product-line needs with new product introductions.
- Proficiency in P&L management, budget forecasting, and aligning plant performance metrics with enterprise financial objectives.
- Ability to translate corporate strategy into actionable site plans and lead cross-functional teams toward shared goals.
- Demonstrated success leading large-scale cultural and technical changes, including digital manufacturing transitions while maintaining stable output.
- Ability to use operational analytics to identify bottlenecks, optimize production capability, and justify capital investments.
- Ability to foster open, transparent communication across organizational levels and partner with Human Resources on organizational health.
- Proven ability to build, mentor, and inspire high-performing teams and foster psychological safety and professional growth.
- Ability to navigate matrix organizations and collaborate with Sales, Engineering, Finance, and HR stakeholders.
- Ability to remain decisive and calm under pressure while managing production spikes, technical troubleshooting, and daily operational challenges.
- Ability to balance immediate operational needs with long-term improvements to infrastructure, tooling, and facilities.
- Aptitude for cultivating an inclusive, high-engagement workplace that encourages employee participation in problem-solving and recognizes performance excellence.
Nice To Haves
- MBA or other graduate degree.
Responsibilities
- Embed Lean and problem-solving practices throughout the organization, empower employees to identify and eliminate waste, sustain improvement gains, and recognize exceptional performance.
- Lead multi-site operational transformation across the flagship campus and other high-growth plants, aligning capacity, capabilities, and talent with business growth and customer demand.
- Advance Smart Factory and digital manufacturing capabilities through investment in automation, tooling, equipment, and Industry 4.0 data-driven systems while balancing legacy and next-generation operations.
- Own end-to-end operational performance across Operations, Procurement, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, EHS, Facilities, Material Handling, and Business Support.
- Develop and execute integrated business plans covering long-range capacity, capital deployment, workforce strategy, and footprint optimization across multiple locations.
- Partner with senior leaders and supply chain, engineering, and commercial teams to align operational strategies, remove constraints, and support new product introductions and business expansion.
- Lead, coach, and inspire a large, diverse organization; build leadership benches and succession pipelines; and foster accountability, engagement, and inclusion.
- Use data and operational analytics to identify bottlenecks, improve OEE and asset utilization, optimize material flow, and prioritize investments that support scalability and profitability.
- Establish employee communication and engagement mechanisms, monitor organizational health, gather feedback, and address concerns with Human Resources.
- Ensure safety, compliance, and sustainability performance, reinforce a zero-harm culture, and maintain adherence to environmental regulations, responsible sourcing practices, and corporate governance standards.
- Establish and sustain a management operating system including daily management, tiered accountability, visual management, structured problem solving, and disciplined escalation.
- Stabilize and improve critical manufacturing lines to achieve safety, quality, delivery, and productivity commitments and restore operational predictability and customer confidence.
- Develop a culture of accountability, transparency, problem solving, and engagement where issues are surfaced early and resolved at root cause.
- Optimize material flow, production layout, workforce deployment, and capacity utilization while balancing immediate operating needs with long-term scalability.
- Partner with Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, Lean, Human Resources, and Finance leaders to strengthen organizational capability, improve execution, and align operational priorities with business objectives.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision plans
- Flexible spending accounts
- Short-term and long-term disability benefits
- Critical illness and accident insurance
- Life insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Employee stock purchase plan with company match
- Tuition reimbursement
- Caregiver, personal, and parental leave
- Back-up care services
- Paid time off, including volunteer time
- Well-being program
- Legal and identity theft protection
- Potential annual incentives
- nVent in Action matching program supporting nonprofit and educational organizations where employees volunteer or donate
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
