What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Operations position at Wasik Associates LLC?
Description
The Director of Operations is responsible for leading and overseeing the manufacturing operation, with accountability for safety, quality, delivery, productivity, capacity, and cost. This role provides hands-on leadership to the manufacturing team while establishing the processes, accountability, and operational discipline needed to support current production requirements and future growth.
The Director of Operations will oversee daily manufacturing activities, develop and execute production plans, allocate resources, identify and resolve operational constraints, and continuously improve processes and efficiency. This position works closely with all functions of the business to ensure customer commitments are met and the organization is positioned for long-term success.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
- Lead and manage manufacturing operations
- Establish clear priorities, expectations, accountability, and work direction across the manufacturing operation
- Develop, implement, and monitor production schedules to achieve daily, weekly, and long-term production goals
- Plan manufacturing activities based on available labor, equipment, materials, and other resources; proactively identify and address resource constraints
- Monitor production performance, capacity, labor utilization, and workflow to identify bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement
- Ensure manufacturing personnel follow established standard operating procedures, work instructions, and company policies
- Establish and maintain appropriate operational processes, systems, and performance metrics
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, efficiency, quality, capacity, and cost reduction
- Partner with our Chief of Staff on workforce planning, hiring, onboarding, training, development, work allocation, performance management, conflict resolution, and personnel decisions
- Provide strong floor leadership and maintain a visible presence within the manufacturing operation
- Oversee shop activities, including equipment maintenance, facility needs, and coordination of resources required to maintain production
- Monitor product quality and work closely with Quality and Engineering to address issues and ensure QA/QC requirements are met
- Serve as a key liaison between Engineering and Manufacturing regarding production concerns, process improvements, and Engineering Change Orders (ECOs)
- Assist with troubleshooting production issues and ensure timely resolution of operational challenges
- Prepare and communicate regular operational and production reports, including key performance indicators, to leadership team
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, equipment utilization, workflow, and overall operational performance
- Promote a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and ownership
- Ensure compliance with all required safety practices, including proper use of safety gear and equipment
- Maintain awareness of the work environment and operational risks to support safe, error-free, and damage-free production
- Communicate quickly and effectively with leadership and cross-functional teams regarding production priorities, challenges, and resource needs
- Partner with leadership on strategic planning related to manufacturing capacity, staffing, equipment, processes, and future growth
- Ensure compliance with shop rules, policies, and applicable safety and quality requirements
- Perform other duties as assigned by senior leadership
Requirements
- Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to establish accountability and drive performance
- Manufacturing operations experience with demonstrated responsibility for production, personnel, and operational performance
- MRP/ERP software experience (GeniusERP preferred), including knowledge of BOMs, routings, and production planning
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Strong problem-solving, organizational, and decision-making skills
- Project management experience
- Engineering Change Control/ECO experience preferred
- Lean Manufacturing / Continuous Improvement experience preferred
- Ability to analyze operational data and use metrics to drive decisions and improvements
- Ability to balance immediate production needs with longer-term operational priorities
Education & Experience
- 10 years of experience in a manufacturing environment
- 5 years of progressive leadership or supervisory experience in manufacturing
- Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, operations, manufacturing, or a related field preferred, but not required
- Demonstrated experience leading teams and improving manufacturing processes and performance
Physical Requirements
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Ability to work in manufacturing and production environments as needed.
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally.
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Statement
Wasik complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.