Director, Operations - ONSITE in Janesville, WI

Responsibilities / Tasks

Founded in Germany in 1881, GEA Group is a global leader in engineering solutions serving the food & beverage, dairy, pharmaceutical, and related industries. With more than 18,000 employees worldwide and a strong U.S. presence since 1929, GEA blends a proud heritage with forward-thinking innovation.

At GEA, we’re not just building equipment — we’re building lasting careers. Our strong culture, growth opportunities, and employee support are reflected in an average tenure of 5–11 years.

Why Join GEA?

Start strong – Medical, dental, and vision coverage begins on your first day

Recharge and refresh – 12 paid holidays (including a floating holiday) plus 136 hours of PTO

Invest in your future – 7% 401(k) employer match

Keep learning – Tuition reimbursement to grow your education and skills

Live well – Wellness Incentive Program

Get support when you need it – Confidential Employee Assistance Program

Save smart – Flexible Health Savings and Spending Accounts

The Director of Operations provides strategic and operational leadership across sales support, order management, customer service, forecasting, and cross-functional execution. This role ensures operational excellence, drives revenue performance, enhances customer satisfaction, and aligns operational strategy with company objectives.

The Director will lead a team of Technical Sales Engineers and Customer Service Representatives while partnering with Regional Sales Managers, Finance, and Manufacturing teams to optimize processes, profitability, and customer outcomes.

Your Responsibilities

Operational & Strategic Leadership

• Lead and develop a high-performing team responsible for quoting, order entry, and technical sales support for new applications and spare parts.
• Develop and execute comprehensive operational strategies aligned with revenue targets and growth initiatives.
• Drive monthly sales forecasting and maintain a rolling 3-month outlook.
• Track order fulfillment and billing to ensure revenue commitments are achieved.
• Identify process improvements to enhance efficiency, reduce cycle time, and optimize working capital.
  
  

Financial & Commercial Oversight

• Manage pricing strategies, ensuring alignment with factory cost changes, inflation, labor, and foreign exchange impacts.
• Standardize and oversee discount structures for Distributors, Master Distributors, and OEM/Integrators.
• Partner with Finance to manage Accounts Receivable, credit accounts, and working capital performance.
• Ensure operational execution supports revenue growth and margin protection.
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Coordinate customer requirements with factories to meet delivery expectations.
• Partner with internal sales and technical teams to leverage market intelligence and customer insights.
• Contribute to product roadmap discussions by translating operational and customer feedback into actionable insights.
• Support Regional Sales Managers in identifying new business opportunities and expanding customer accounts.
  
  

Leadership & Talent Development

• Coach and mentor Technical Sales Engineers and customer service professionals.
• Build a strong bench of future sales and operational leaders.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Lead change management initiatives within a matrix organization.
  
  

Your Profile / Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Management, or related field
• 7–10 years of progressive leadership experience in operations, technical sales, or commercial management
• Experience working with technical or engineered products
• Exposure to multinational, matrix organizations
• Strong financial acumen, including AR and working capital management
• Proven internal and external sales leadership experience
• Demonstrated success leading and developing cross-functional teams
• Experience driving operational efficiency and process optimization
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Fluent English required
  
  

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking with the ability to simplify complex issues
• High performance under pressure in fast-paced environments
• Detail-oriented with strong process discipline
• Strong planning, scheduling, and delegation skills
• Ability to balance commercial goals with operational execution
• Change leadership and continuous improvement mindset
  
  

At GEA, we don’t just offer jobs—we offer opportunities to thrive, grow, and make an impact.

The typical base pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $120K - $140K. GEA Group has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States.

The pay range is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. The estimated range is the budgeted amount for the position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications, and other job-related reasons. You may be eligible for additional rewards.

GEA is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will therefore receive consideration for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, world view, national origin, genetics, disability, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other protected characteristic required by applicable law. Applicants with disabilities are welcome and will be given special consideration if they are equally qualified.

Please note: This position is based in the United States and does not offer visa or work sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.

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