Director of Operations

New Yesterday

Our client is a leading provider in the health and nutrition industry, dedicated to developing high-quality ingredients that enhance both human and animal nutrition. With a commitment to innovation and operational excellence, they focus on delivering exceptional products and value across their diverse manufacturing portfolio. The Director of Operations is a hands-on, results-oriented leader responsible for overseeing multiple manufacturing facilities and related operational functions. This role demands strong mechanical aptitude, rapid adaptability to plant-specific processes, and proven experience managing capital projects. The Director will provide strategic and operational leadership across production, maintenance, inventory, environmental health & safety (EH&S), and quality management. The ideal candidate will embrace and promote a strong company culture, demonstrating visible leadership by being actively present on the plant floor, working closely with teams, and fostering a collaborative and empowering work environment. This role requires a leader who is deeply engaged with daily operations and committed to leading by example. Key Responsibilities
Develop and execute manufacturing strategies, plans, and programs to achieve operational goals related to cost, quality, and performance.
Be a visible presence on the plant floor, regularly engaging with frontline production, maintenance, and engineering teams to assess processes, resolve issues, and build strong team relationships.
Drive and nurture a positive company culture that supports teamwork, safety, continuous improvement, and employee engagement.
Apply mechanical and problem-solving expertise to identify and address equipment bottlenecks, maintenance needs, and process improvements.
Lead capital improvement and capital expenditure projects from planning to execution, ensuring alignment with operational goals and budget compliance.
Recruit, develop, coach, and empower employees, fostering high performance and engagement. Ensure employee training is ongoing and documented.
Manage annual budgets, monitor performance, control costs, and implement cost-saving initiatives.
Explore and implement emerging technologies, automation tools, and process innovations to enhance plant performance.
Oversee EH&S programs to ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations.
Maintain effective communication with relevant regulatory bodies.
Ensure quality systems support high standards of first-pass quality and compliance with supply chain requirements.
Collaborate with R&D and quality teams to improve products and manufacturing processes.
Manage inventory levels, rework, and off-spec materials, optimizing usage across the manufacturing network.
Optimize production efficiency in collaboration with operations and planning teams, ensuring quality and throughput goals are met.
Ensure compliance with all company policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
Exhibit strong leadership, integrity, and commitment to organizational values and community engagement.
Travel regularly between multiple manufacturing sites to ensure operational alignment and support.
Qualifications
Experience Minimum of 10 years in manufacturing, with at least 5 years in a plant leadership role in a multi-shift operation.
Proven experience leading capital projects, including equipment installations and facility upgrades.
Background in food, feed, or process manufacturing preferred. Experience in wet and dry processing is an asset.
Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, production workflows, and regulatory compliance.
Technical & Analytical Skills Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to diagnose and improve equipment and processes.
Project management experience related to capital projects.
Analytical skills to assess complex situations, identify patterns, and develop actionable solutions.
Proficiency in standard software applications (e.g., MS Office, ERP systems).
Leadership & Communication Visible, hands-on leader who actively engages with teams on the plant floor.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
Effective conflict management and team leadership abilities.
Passion for fostering a strong, positive company culture.
Education Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Technology, or a related field preferred.
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Location:
Milwaukee
Job Type:
FullTime

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