Global Director of Operations | Precision Abrasive Products

The Global Director of Operations will lead worldwide manufacturing and supply chain operations during an ambitious multi-year growth phase, including plans to significantly expand revenue while improving operating margins.

Client Details

The organization is a global, employee-owned manufacturer of high-precision abrasive products serving technically demanding markets such as automotive, aerospace, medical devices, and semiconductor manufacturing.

Description

Global Operations Leadership

• Lead end-to-end global manufacturing operations across all sites and geographies.
• Design and implement standardized operating models that enable scalable growth, margin expansion, and execution consistency.
• Own enterprise-wide operational performance, cost structure, delivery reliability, and throughput.
• Embed Lean Manufacturing and 80/20 principles throughout the operations organization.

Margin Expansion & Operational Effectiveness

• Drive measurable improvements in operating margin through labor productivity, automation, and process redesign.
• Identify key cost drivers and implement corrective actions to improve profitability and capital efficiency.
• Balance growth objectives with quality, risk management, and margin performance.

Operational Systems: MRP & Shop Floor Control

• Lead the selection, implementation, and refinement of MRP systems.
• Deploy shop floor control tools to improve visibility, scheduling discipline, labor utilization, throughput, and quality.
• Establish robust production planning, execution, and performance management processes.

Automation & Capital Deployment

• Identify, prioritize, and implement automation initiatives that reduce manual labor and increase consistency.
• Develop multi-year automation roadmaps with clear return-on-investment targets.
• Oversee capital justification, equipment selection, supplier management, and deployment.
• Ensure automation is fully integrated with operational systems and production workflows.

International Operations & China Oversight

• Provide executive leadership and governance for a wholly owned manufacturing subsidiary in China.
• Guide expansion planning, organizational development, and operational maturity.
• Ensure alignment with global standards, regulatory compliance, and performance expectations.

People Leadership & Change Management

• Lead teams through systems implementations, automation initiatives, and workforce transitions.
• Build a strong bench of operational leaders with clear accountability and performance expectations.
• Redesign roles and optimize headcount structures where appropriate.
• Actively engage an employee-owner workforce during periods of change and growth.

Supply Chain & Logistics

• Oversee global supply chain functions, including sourcing, procurement, vendor management, and logistics.
• Optimize inventory levels, material flow, and supplier strategies to support reliable, cost-effective delivery.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks while maintaining customer commitments.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure consistent product quality across all global operations.
• Maintain compliance with internal standards and all applicable local, national, and international regulations.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on defect reduction and process robustness.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with Engineering, R&D, Sales, Marketing, and Finance to align operations with strategic objectives.
• Support new product introductions and changing market requirements.
• Drive rapid issue resolution through strong cross-functional collaboration.

Governance, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and manage operating budgets and capital plans aligned with long-term strategy.
• Prepare and present operational updates, performance metrics, and capital proposals to executive leadership and the Board.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate operational, safety, compliance, and continuity risks.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and disciplined execution.
  

Profile

• 15 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Electrical, or related).
• Demonstrated success delivering significant operating margin improvement.
• Proven experience implementing MRP systems and shop floor control in complex manufacturing or job shop environments.
• Strong background in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Verified success deploying automation to reduce labor and improve profitability.
• Experience leading organizations of 50 employees, including international teams.
• Strong financial acumen, including capital investment and ROI analysis.
• Prior experience overseeing operations in China or similar international manufacturing environments.

Job Offer

• Salary Range: $160,000 - $180,000
• Heatlh Insurance
• 401k (Company Match)
• PTO Available
  

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