Operations Director

Flex is the diversified manufacturing partner of choice that helps market-leading brands design, build and deliver innovative products that improve the world. A career at Flex offers the opportunity to make a difference and invest in your growth in a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative environment. If you are excited about a role but don't meet every bullet point, we encourage you to apply and join us to create the extraordinary.

Flex is the diversified manufacturing partner of choice that helps market-leading brands design, build and deliver innovative products that improve the world.

A career at Flex offers the opportunity to make a difference and invest in your growth in a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative environment. If you are excited about a role but don't meet every bullet point, we encourage you to apply and join us to create the extraordinary.

Job Summary

To support our extraordinary team who build great products and contribute to our growth, we're looking to add a Director, Operations located in Libertyville, Illinois.

Reporting to the General Manager, the Director, Operations will provide strategic and operational leadership for a highly technical manufacturing site serving the Medical Device and other regulated industries. This leader will be responsible for managing day-to-day operations and core business functions to achieve and maintain operational excellence while ensuring customer commitments, quality standards, and financial objectives are consistently met.

The ideal candidate will bring experience leading complex manufacturing operations, preferably within highly regulated environments, and have a proven track record driving Lean transformation, developing high-performing teams, and delivering strong business results in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment.

What a typical day looks like:

• Guarantee production and customer deliveries are completed in full, on time, within specifications, and at the most cost-effective levels.
• Define and achieve operational financial goals, including productivity, profitability, and cost improvement targets.
• Lead operational performance with full accountability for staffing, business results, and P&L management.
• Establish, communicate, and execute Business Unit goals, objectives, and performance expectations.
• Define and execute operational programs aligned with strategic plans and annual operating goals.
• Meet with Executive Leadership on a regular basis to review and evaluate key operational performance indicators (KPIs).
• Participate in quarterly business reviews with key customers and stakeholders.
• Partner cross-functionally to establish strategic plans that support business growth and operational excellence.
• Direct and oversee Purchasing, Production Control, Planning, Manufacturing Engineering, Test Engineering, Maintenance, Manufacturing, and Logistics functions.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement through Lean Manufacturing methodologies and operational excellence initiatives.
• Lead value stream optimization efforts to improve efficiency, throughput, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Drive Lean tools and business systems including 5S, Kaizen, Kanban, Visual Management, Standard Work, and Lean Daily Management.
• Implement workforce strategies that attract, retain, and develop a highly engaged and motivated team.
• Foster a culture of servant leadership, accountability, collaboration, and employee development.
• Navigate organizational change effectively while maintaining operational stability and customer commitments.
• Serve as a visible and approachable leader who inspires teams through influence, coaching, and leading by example.
  
  

The experience we're looking to add to our team:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, Manufacturing, or a related discipline required; MBA or Master's degree preferred.
• 10 years of manufacturing leadership experience, including 5-7 years in senior operations management roles within large manufacturing organizations or Director-level responsibility within a smaller organization.
• Experience within Medical Device, Pharmaceutical, Life Sciences, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments strongly preferred.
• Engineering background or significant technical manufacturing experience preferred.
• Experience managing complex, highly technical manufacturing sites utilizing advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Strong experience with high-tech molding operations, automation equipment, precision manufacturing, and engineering-driven production environments.
• Demonstrated success deploying and sustaining Lean Manufacturing and Lean Business Systems across manufacturing operations.
• Deep understanding and application of Lean methodologies which may include Value stream mapping, 5S, Kaizen, Kanban, etc.
• Proven track record of driving operational performance improvements while maintaining quality, compliance, and customer satisfaction.
• Strong P&L ownership and financial acumen.
• Experience leading manufacturing organizations through growth, transformation, and change.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to simplify complex issues and execute effectively.
• Executive presence with strong presentation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and business demands.
• Strong cross-functional leadership experience partnering with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, HR, and Executive Leadership teams.
• Demonstrated servant leadership approach with a focus on people development, coaching, and team engagement.
• Approachable, confident, and authentic leadership style that builds trust and accountability.
• We are looking for a humble, secure, persistent, data-driven, high-energy leader who serves as an effective mentor and role model for the organization.
  
  

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Flex is an Equal Opportunity Employer and employment selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. We do not discriminate based on: age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, pregnancy status, or any other status protected by law. We're happy to provide reasonable accommodations to those with a disability for assistance in the application process. Please email accessibility@flex.com and we'll discuss your specific situation and next steps (NOTE: this email does not accept or consider resumes or applications. This is only for disability assistance. To be considered for a position at Flex, you must complete the application process first).