Director of Operations

Job Title: Director of Operations

Location: Wallingford, CT

Duration: Direct Hire Onsite

Salary: $175-195K DOE plus Excellent Benefits

Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the Director of Operations is a key management position responsible for the overall growth, development, and profitability of the Wallingford, CT location.

This position will effectively lead and manage both internal and external cross-functional teams, as well as all processes within these functions, to deliver and maximize business performance. The Director of Operations will ensure effective organizational planning to achieve all strategic goals.

In this role, the individual will work closely with customers and suppliers to secure strong business relationships and growth opportunities.

The position has day-to-day management responsibility for, but is not limited to:

• Manufacturing
• Supply Chain
• Information Technology
• Maintenance
• Facilities
• Customer Service
• Quality
• Logistics

The position also shares responsibility with:

• Finance
• Research & Development
• Engineering

The Director of Operations is responsible for continued team development and accountability to ensure Company utilizes all on-site resources in a cost-effective manner while continuously improving processes and efficiencies.

This position will be a key member of the Company leadership team representing the Wallingford, CT facility.

Essential Functions

• Overall responsibility for on-site Health & Safety.
• Enhance customer relationships through direct interface while meeting and exceeding agreed-upon requirements.
• Lead Lean initiatives including, but not limited to, Kaizen and 5S.
• Lead Operations Team to ensure effective site management, including:
• Logistics
• Maintenance
• Facilities
• Quality
• Health & Safety
• People management
• Work closely with Finance to understand and develop budgetary needs.
• Drive cost-efficiency goals by maximizing resources, controlling costs, and maintaining expenditures within budget.
• Liaise with Finance to investigate queries and ensure financial accuracy.
• Develop understanding of product costing methodology to identify cost efficiencies and improve capacity, yield, and throughput.
• Ensure proactive communication from Company to member companies and external customers.
• Develop systems to monitor progress against daily operational plans and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Attend and lead regular operations meetings to ensure internal processes support customer requirements.
• Maintain current knowledge of Company products and services.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Additional Responsibilities

Customer Service

• Ensure customer service excellence remains a priority across all operations.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships.
• Promote customer needs throughout the organization.
• Handle customer service complaints collaboratively with the Customer Service team.
• Maintain proactive communication regarding delivery and service issues.

Manufacturing (Casting, Coating, and Conversion)

• Manage Manufacturing Managers and Supervisors to ensure efficient production planning, scheduling, and team development.
• Ensure standard operating procedures are maintained, improved, and followed.
• Establish and meet Manufacturing KPIs with department managers.
• Understand production capacity and resource availability to maximize output.
• Review missed shipments, quality complaints, scrap, and waste; determine root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Maintain overall responsibility for Health & Safety in partnership with the Health & Safety Team.

Supply Chain

• Develop strong relationships with key internal and external suppliers.
• Oversee monthly inventory counts for accuracy and efficiency.
• Work with Supply Chain Team to maximize cash flow goals and maintain target inventory levels.
• Ensure sufficient inventory to support customer demand and Sales.
• Support warehouse management, shipping, and general business administration.
• Drive purchasing cost efficiencies by setting goals and stretch targets.
• Develop freight, customs, and excise knowledge to support Supply Chain and ensure compliance with legal and statutory requirements.

People Management

• Provide direction to Engineering team focused on quality and manufacturing priorities.
• Set productivity and quality objectives for team members and monitor progress regularly.
• Identify and develop key employees using performance management and talent development programs.
• Foster a culture of ownership and accountability.
• Facilitate employee cross-training programs to build workforce flexibility.
• Maintain high levels of motivation among direct reports and teams.
• Conduct performance reviews and establish continuous improvement goals.
• Recruit employees as needed.
• Identify and resolve employee issues.
• Follow Company safety guidelines and PPE requirements.
• Maintain optimal product quality standards in accordance with Company's Quality Program.

Position Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, or related field required
• Master’s degree preferred

Work Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a multi-regional role specializing in one or more listed functional areas
• Minimum 3 years of demonstrated success and growth in prior roles
• Experience in a highly focused industry environment with leadership responsibility
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Ability to travel up to 10% as needed, including visits to member company offices in Europe/Asia and other locations
• Fluency in written and spoken English required
• Second language preferred
• Working knowledge of:
• Sales
• Production
• Logistics
• Information Technology
• Quality
• Engineering
• Research & Development
• Supply Chain

Company Overview

Top Prospect Group, now part of HW Staffing Solutions, focuses on connecting high-quality candidates with top-tier clients. We offer expertise across multiple industries, ensuring that we meet and exceed staffing expectations.

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