DANIEL DEFENSE LLC
Sr. Director, Operations
At Daniel Defense
Only the Best Build the Best… Daniel Defense engineers and manufactures the world’s finest weapon systems and accessories. Our mission to
honor God and defend Freedom
is accomplished by serving customers and providing top quality solutions to our military, law enforcement and civilians that are seeking premium firearms for home defense, hunting, and sport shooting. We are seeking a
Sr. Director, Operations
to lead this effort. This senior executive will own all aspects of
Production, Assembly, Shipping, Receiving
, and
Value Stream Optimization
— driving
on-time delivery
, improving
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
, and continually optimizing
insourcing and outsourcing
to ensure Daniel Defense maintains and advances its
core manufacturing competencies
. Additionally, this leader will be responsible for
hiring and developing the best talent
and for
engaging all employees in continuous improvement
to foster an empowered, high-performance culture. The
Sr. Director, Operations must be equally effective working at all levels of the organization
— from
rolling up their sleeves on the shop floor
to
building and delivering executive-level presentations
to the
C-suite
. This role reports to the Chief Operating Officer (COO)
and is a key contributor to the
Daniel Defense Business Excellence System (DDX). As the
Sr. Director, Operations,
you will be responsible for the functions outlined below: Essential Functions: Responsible for demonstrating commitment to and leadership of environmental health and safety principles, policies and procedures. Lead all
Production
,
Assembly
,
Shipping
, and
Receiving
operations. Drive
on-time delivery (OTD)
performance to achieve and exceed customer expectations. Lead enterprise efforts to improve
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
across manufacturing assets. Optimize
value streams
through
Lean principles
,
flow optimization
, and
DDX
deployment. Strategically manage
insourcing and outsourcing
decisions to continually build, strengthen, and refine Daniel Defense’s
core manufacturing competencies
. Hire, develop, and retain
top operations talent
; build a culture of
engagement, continuous improvement, and operational accountability
. Engage
all employees in continuous improvement
, driving grassroots participation in
Lean
and
Business Excellence
activities. Work seamlessly across all levels —
hands-on on the shop floor
to drive results, and equally
comfortable preparing and presenting strategic updates to the C-suite
. Report to the COO
and partner closely with
Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance
, and
Commercial
leadership. Leadership of Production & Operations Provide strategic and tactical leadership for:
Production & Machining Assembly Shipping & Receiving Production Planning and Scheduling
Set clear
performance expectations
and drive execution to achieve
on-time delivery (OTD)
targets. Lead operational teams to achieve or exceed
safety, quality, delivery, cost (SQDC)
objectives. Drive daily, weekly, and monthly performance through
Lean Daily Management (LDM)
systems. Be highly visible on the
shop floor
— engaging directly with teams and driving execution where the work happens. OEE Improvement & Value Stream Optimization Lead enterprise focus on improving
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
across production operations. Optimize
material flow
,
process flow
, and
information flow
through
value stream mapping
and
Lean-based process improvements
. Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to drive
asset utilization
,
capability expansion
, and
cost competitiveness
. Develop and execute
capacity planning
to support current and future product and volume requirements. Insourcing, Outsourcing & Core Competencies Strategy Define and execute
insourcing vs. outsourcing strategies
to build and sustain
Daniel Defense’s core manufacturing competencies
. Partner with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality to select and manage
strategic partners
where outsourcing is appropriate. Drive continuous evaluation of
make vs. buy decisions
to ensure strategic alignment with:
Brand integrity IP protection Core competencies Operational agility Cost leadership
Talent Leadership & Employee Engagement Hire, develop, and retain
the
best operations talent
at all levels. Build high-performing teams through
leadership, coaching, clear goal setting, and development pathways
. Foster a
culture of accountability, engagement, and operational excellence
. Engage all employees in continuous improvement
, ensuring broad participation in
Lean
,
Kaizen
,
problem-solving
, and
DDX initiatives
. Recognize and reward
employee contributions
to improvement and operational excellence. Business Excellence & DDX Leadership Serve as a
Business Excellence leader
and key contributor to the
Daniel Defense Business Excellence System (DDX)
. Drive cultural adoption of
Lean
,
Continuous Improvement
, and
Operational Excellence
principles across Operations. Leverage
visual management
,
tiered accountability
, and
standard work
to drive sustainable performance gains. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Enterprise Impact Partner with
Quality
,
Engineering
,
Supply Chain
,
Finance
, and
Commercial
leadership to align Operations with enterprise goals. Ensure
operational readiness
for
new product launches
in collaboration with New Product Development (NPD) and Manufacturing Integration. Provide clear, data-driven updates to the
COO
and C-suite — capable of building and delivering
executive-level presentations
on Operations performance and strategy. Support
Business Excellence
,
Operational Excellence
, and
Commercial Excellence
initiatives enterprise-wide. Participates in the company’s efforts to continuously improve in Safety, 6S, Quality, Delivery and Productivity. Expected to be a contributor to the company standards on high integrity, safety, fair and equitable treatment, and a positive work environment Other responsibilities as deemed appropriate or necessary by management. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Bachelor’s degree required;
MBA or advanced degree preferred
. 15+ years
of progressive leadership experience in
Operations
or
Manufacturing
roles, with significant experience leading
Production, Assembly, and Logistics
functions. Proven track record of improving
on-time delivery (OTD)
and
OEE
in a
high-mix, high-precision manufacturing environment
. Expertise in leading
value stream optimization
,
Lean manufacturing
, and
flow improvements
. Experience leading
insourcing vs. outsourcing strategy development
and execution. Demonstrated ability to build, sustain, and evolve
core manufacturing competencies
. Proven success in
hiring, developing, and retaining top talent
, and
engaging employees in continuous improvement
. Experience working effectively at
all organizational levels
—
hands-on at the shop floor
, and equally adept at
building executive presentations
and communicating with the
C-suite
. Familiarity with
DDX
or similar Business/Operational Excellence systems. Strong financial acumen — understanding of
P&L
,
working capital
, and
cost management
. Technical & Leadership Strengths Exceptional
Operations leadership
and
people development
skills. Ability to translate
strategic objectives
into executable operational plans. Deep understanding of
OEE improvement
,
flow dynamics
,
capacity planning
, and
Lean tools
. Proven success leading
cross-functional collaboration
and enterprise alignment. Highly effective
change agent
who can drive
cultural adoption of Business Excellence
principles. Strong executive presence —
comfortable and credible presenting to C-suite leaders
. Excellent
communication and collaboration
skills —
from shop floor to executive level
. Personal Attributes Passion for
Operational Excellence
and building the best
firearms in the world
. High degree of
initiative
,
urgency
, and
accountability
. Hands-on, visible,
shop floor-oriented leader
who leads by example. Strong communicator and
collaborative leader
. Committed to
Daniel Defense’s mission and core values
. Energized by building high-performance teams in a
fast-scaling premium brand
. Demonstrated ability to recognize and work in accordance with our Permission to Play Values. Physical Requirements: Must be able to lift and carry awkward items weighing 50 pounds. Requires intermittent standing, walking, sitting and bending throughout the work day. Must be able to work in a manufacturing environment, to include working in and around machinery, exposure to noise and chemicals, lights/lasers, etc. Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protection Equipment as required by your position and/or Company policy.
Daniel Defense is an EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability employer and promotes a "Drug Free Workplace". Note: The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by those assigned to the job. This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel in this job. Responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of the employer and do not establish a contract of employment – Daniel Defense is an at will employer.
PIfb5d904d33b3-30492-37911733
Only the Best Build the Best… Daniel Defense engineers and manufactures the world’s finest weapon systems and accessories. Our mission to
honor God and defend Freedom
is accomplished by serving customers and providing top quality solutions to our military, law enforcement and civilians that are seeking premium firearms for home defense, hunting, and sport shooting. We are seeking a
Sr. Director, Operations
to lead this effort. This senior executive will own all aspects of
Production, Assembly, Shipping, Receiving
, and
Value Stream Optimization
— driving
on-time delivery
, improving
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
, and continually optimizing
insourcing and outsourcing
to ensure Daniel Defense maintains and advances its
core manufacturing competencies
. Additionally, this leader will be responsible for
hiring and developing the best talent
and for
engaging all employees in continuous improvement
to foster an empowered, high-performance culture. The
Sr. Director, Operations must be equally effective working at all levels of the organization
— from
rolling up their sleeves on the shop floor
to
building and delivering executive-level presentations
to the
C-suite
. This role reports to the Chief Operating Officer (COO)
and is a key contributor to the
Daniel Defense Business Excellence System (DDX). As the
Sr. Director, Operations,
you will be responsible for the functions outlined below: Essential Functions: Responsible for demonstrating commitment to and leadership of environmental health and safety principles, policies and procedures. Lead all
Production
,
Assembly
,
Shipping
, and
Receiving
operations. Drive
on-time delivery (OTD)
performance to achieve and exceed customer expectations. Lead enterprise efforts to improve
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
across manufacturing assets. Optimize
value streams
through
Lean principles
,
flow optimization
, and
DDX
deployment. Strategically manage
insourcing and outsourcing
decisions to continually build, strengthen, and refine Daniel Defense’s
core manufacturing competencies
. Hire, develop, and retain
top operations talent
; build a culture of
engagement, continuous improvement, and operational accountability
. Engage
all employees in continuous improvement
, driving grassroots participation in
Lean
and
Business Excellence
activities. Work seamlessly across all levels —
hands-on on the shop floor
to drive results, and equally
comfortable preparing and presenting strategic updates to the C-suite
. Report to the COO
and partner closely with
Quality, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance
, and
Commercial
leadership. Leadership of Production & Operations Provide strategic and tactical leadership for:
Production & Machining Assembly Shipping & Receiving Production Planning and Scheduling
Set clear
performance expectations
and drive execution to achieve
on-time delivery (OTD)
targets. Lead operational teams to achieve or exceed
safety, quality, delivery, cost (SQDC)
objectives. Drive daily, weekly, and monthly performance through
Lean Daily Management (LDM)
systems. Be highly visible on the
shop floor
— engaging directly with teams and driving execution where the work happens. OEE Improvement & Value Stream Optimization Lead enterprise focus on improving
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
across production operations. Optimize
material flow
,
process flow
, and
information flow
through
value stream mapping
and
Lean-based process improvements
. Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to drive
asset utilization
,
capability expansion
, and
cost competitiveness
. Develop and execute
capacity planning
to support current and future product and volume requirements. Insourcing, Outsourcing & Core Competencies Strategy Define and execute
insourcing vs. outsourcing strategies
to build and sustain
Daniel Defense’s core manufacturing competencies
. Partner with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality to select and manage
strategic partners
where outsourcing is appropriate. Drive continuous evaluation of
make vs. buy decisions
to ensure strategic alignment with:
Brand integrity IP protection Core competencies Operational agility Cost leadership
Talent Leadership & Employee Engagement Hire, develop, and retain
the
best operations talent
at all levels. Build high-performing teams through
leadership, coaching, clear goal setting, and development pathways
. Foster a
culture of accountability, engagement, and operational excellence
. Engage all employees in continuous improvement
, ensuring broad participation in
Lean
,
Kaizen
,
problem-solving
, and
DDX initiatives
. Recognize and reward
employee contributions
to improvement and operational excellence. Business Excellence & DDX Leadership Serve as a
Business Excellence leader
and key contributor to the
Daniel Defense Business Excellence System (DDX)
. Drive cultural adoption of
Lean
,
Continuous Improvement
, and
Operational Excellence
principles across Operations. Leverage
visual management
,
tiered accountability
, and
standard work
to drive sustainable performance gains. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Enterprise Impact Partner with
Quality
,
Engineering
,
Supply Chain
,
Finance
, and
Commercial
leadership to align Operations with enterprise goals. Ensure
operational readiness
for
new product launches
in collaboration with New Product Development (NPD) and Manufacturing Integration. Provide clear, data-driven updates to the
COO
and C-suite — capable of building and delivering
executive-level presentations
on Operations performance and strategy. Support
Business Excellence
,
Operational Excellence
, and
Commercial Excellence
initiatives enterprise-wide. Participates in the company’s efforts to continuously improve in Safety, 6S, Quality, Delivery and Productivity. Expected to be a contributor to the company standards on high integrity, safety, fair and equitable treatment, and a positive work environment Other responsibilities as deemed appropriate or necessary by management. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Bachelor’s degree required;
MBA or advanced degree preferred
. 15+ years
of progressive leadership experience in
Operations
or
Manufacturing
roles, with significant experience leading
Production, Assembly, and Logistics
functions. Proven track record of improving
on-time delivery (OTD)
and
OEE
in a
high-mix, high-precision manufacturing environment
. Expertise in leading
value stream optimization
,
Lean manufacturing
, and
flow improvements
. Experience leading
insourcing vs. outsourcing strategy development
and execution. Demonstrated ability to build, sustain, and evolve
core manufacturing competencies
. Proven success in
hiring, developing, and retaining top talent
, and
engaging employees in continuous improvement
. Experience working effectively at
all organizational levels
—
hands-on at the shop floor
, and equally adept at
building executive presentations
and communicating with the
C-suite
. Familiarity with
DDX
or similar Business/Operational Excellence systems. Strong financial acumen — understanding of
P&L
,
working capital
, and
cost management
. Technical & Leadership Strengths Exceptional
Operations leadership
and
people development
skills. Ability to translate
strategic objectives
into executable operational plans. Deep understanding of
OEE improvement
,
flow dynamics
,
capacity planning
, and
Lean tools
. Proven success leading
cross-functional collaboration
and enterprise alignment. Highly effective
change agent
who can drive
cultural adoption of Business Excellence
principles. Strong executive presence —
comfortable and credible presenting to C-suite leaders
. Excellent
communication and collaboration
skills —
from shop floor to executive level
. Personal Attributes Passion for
Operational Excellence
and building the best
firearms in the world
. High degree of
initiative
,
urgency
, and
accountability
. Hands-on, visible,
shop floor-oriented leader
who leads by example. Strong communicator and
collaborative leader
. Committed to
Daniel Defense’s mission and core values
. Energized by building high-performance teams in a
fast-scaling premium brand
. Demonstrated ability to recognize and work in accordance with our Permission to Play Values. Physical Requirements: Must be able to lift and carry awkward items weighing 50 pounds. Requires intermittent standing, walking, sitting and bending throughout the work day. Must be able to work in a manufacturing environment, to include working in and around machinery, exposure to noise and chemicals, lights/lasers, etc. Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protection Equipment as required by your position and/or Company policy.
Daniel Defense is an EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability employer and promotes a "Drug Free Workplace". Note: The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by those assigned to the job. This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel in this job. Responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of the employer and do not establish a contract of employment – Daniel Defense is an at will employer.
PIfb5d904d33b3-30492-37911733