What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operations Director-Electrical Engineering and Manufacturing position at Soffa Electric Inc?
SUMMARY OF POSITION
Soffa Electric, Inc. is seeking a Director of Operations to lead and optimize the company’s operational departments, including Electrical Engineering, Control Panel Manufacturing, and Procurement/Supply Chain. This role ensures the organization consistently delivers high-quality engineered systems, industrial control panels, and field services on schedule, while maintaining compliance with UL panel shop standards and industry best practices.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on operations leader with experience in industrial automation, control system integration, switchgear, MCC and UL-listed manufacturing environments, particularly those serving municipal water/wastewater and industrial process facilities.
OBJECTIVES OF THIS ROLE
The Director of Operations will drive operational excellence by improving schedule predictability, manufacturing efficiency, product quality, and safety while aligning engineering, procurement, and manufacturing processes to support project delivery.
- Lead operations at the Commerce, CA facility, fostering a positive culture that supports employee engagement and operational performance.
- Develop and implement operational strategies that improve production predictability, manufacturing efficiency, quality, and safety.
- Align engineering deliverables, procurement activities, and manufacturing workflows to support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and customer delivery milestones.
- Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and industry standards.
- Partner with executive leadership to support organizational strategy, growth initiatives, and workforce planning.
- Translate strategic objectives into actionable operational plans, including goal setting, performance management, and annual operations planning.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
Operational Leadership
- Lead and manage the electrical engineering, UL panel manufacturing, and procurement/supply chain departments to align all activities with project timelines and customer commitments.
- Establish operational metrics and dashboards to monitor schedule adherence, quality, safety, and productivity.
- Support the company’s long-term growth by developing scalable operational processes.
Production & Engineering Schedule Predictability
- Implement processes that improve coordination and predictability for: engineered submittals, PLC/HMI programming deliverables, panel manufacturing schedules, field service and commissioning activities.
- Ensure engineering deliverables are released in time to support procurement and manufacturing.
- Work with project management to identify scheduling risks and implement mitigation strategies.
Manufacturing Excellence (UL Panel Shop)
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives within the control panel manufacturing facility, including:
- Lean manufacturing practices (5S, standard work, Kaizen)
- Workflow and throughput improvements
- Reduction of rework and improved first-pass yield
- Ensure compliance with UL 508A standards and applicable electrical codes.
- Maintain disciplined manufacturing practices including BOM verification, component traceability, wiring standards, and documented inspection/testing procedures.
- Promote a safe work environment in accordance with OSHA safety requirements.
Procurement & Supply Chain Alignment
- Strengthen alignment between procurement and manufacturing to ensure material availability and reliable production schedules.
- Help develop supplier relationships and sourcing strategies that mitigate supply chain disruptions.
- Implement purchasing and inventory practices that support project timelines and manufacturing efficiency.
Quality & Process Improvement
- Establish standardized processes and documentation across engineering, manufacturing, and procurement.
- Lead initiatives aligned with ISO 9001 and/or Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) best practices.
- Implement operational KPIs to track performance, including: On-time submittals, On-time panel shipments, FAT readiness, Manufacturing productivity and Engineering change cycle time
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, SKILLS AND/OR ABILITIES REQUIRED
Minimum Experience: 10 years of experience in industrial automation, control systems integration, or electrical manufacturing.
5 years of leadership experience managing engineering, manufacturing, or operations teams.
Degree Required: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or Operations Management, or related field.
Certification(s) Required: None
Experience Required:
Industry
- Experience working in UL 508A control panel ETO or BTO manufacturing environments
- Strong understanding of industrial control panels, electrical schematics, manufacturing processes, supply chain operations; and familiarity with PLC/HMI automation systems.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs is essential to this position
Leadership
- Process improvement and operational excellence mindset
- Strong project and schedule management skills
- Data-driven decision making
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present information to senior leadership
Abilities Preferred:
- Experience working for a control systems integrator or industrial automation firm strongly preferred.
- Involvement with switchgear and motor control center (MCC) manufacturing
- Experience in water/wastewater or municipal automation projects
- Familiarity with Control System Integrators Association (CSIA) best practices or ISO 9001 quality management systems
- Knowledge of ERP/MRP systems for manufacturing and procurement
- Lean manufacturing or Six Sigma certification
Salary : $165,000 - $195,000