Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions
Director of Operations
Accelerate Professional Talent Solutions, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, 53244
Overview
Our client, a rapidly growing manufacturer of custom, build-to-order mechanical systems, is seeking a highly skilled
Director of Operations
to lead all areas of production, supply chain, planning, and operational execution. This leader will partner closely with the Plant Manager (who is stepping back from day-to-day oversight) and take full ownership of the operational functions that drive throughput, scalability, and quality. This is a critical, high-visibility role reporting directly to the President, with oversight of Production, Production Control, Purchasing, Scheduling, Warehouse, Testing, and Manufacturing Engineering. The ideal candidate brings a strong Mechanical Engineering background, deep experience improving processes and procedures, and a track record of elevating operational performance through strong leadership, cultural transformation, and continuous improvement initiatives. Key Responsibilities
Oversee all product-related operations, including Production, Production Control, Purchasing, Scheduling, Warehouse, Testing, and Manufacturing Engineering. Champion a positive, accountable, and collaborative culture aligned with company values and growth objectives. Lead cultural transformation initiatives that strengthen engagement, ownership, and continuous improvement across teams. Build strong, trust-based relationships across all functional areas and organizational levels. Drive process improvements, throughput optimization, and operational efficiency in a custom, build-to-order manufacturing environment. Lead lean manufacturing initiatives including Kaizen, 5S, value stream mapping, and capacity planning. Identify bottlenecks and align capacity with customer demand to improve on-time delivery, schedule adherence, and overall output. Direct production scheduling efforts to ensure realistic, achievable plans aligned with sales forecasts, material availability, labor, and equipment. Provide strategic leadership to Production Control, Purchasing, and Manufacturing Engineering, proactively resolving risks or conflicts affecting delivery performance. Implement and track KPIs related to safety, quality, productivity, inventory, efficiency, schedule attainment, and customer fulfillment. Drive supply chain and procurement strategy, improving material availability, lead times, supplier partnerships, and cost efficiency. Collaborate closely with Engineering, Sales, Finance, and New Product Development to support growth, technical releases, and operational readiness. Mentor and develop leadership within the Operations team; build bench strength and succession plans. Establish clear expectations, accountability measures, and structured training programs for managers and supervisors. Translate executive strategy into actionable operational plans that support scalability, new facility planning, and technology adoption. Ensure product quality is upheld while supporting Quality Management System requirements. Act as a community liaison for workforce development programs and oversee facility/production maintenance. Leadership & Supervisory Scope
Direct oversight of the Plant Manager, Production Control Manager, and Manufacturing Engineering Manager. Responsible for evaluating and restructuring the operational org chart as the business scales. Lead full-cycle people management including hiring, coaching, performance management, development, and accountability. Promote a culture centered on ethics, integrity, team building, collaboration, and high performance. What We’re Looking For
Proven success leading multi-department operations within a custom or engineered-to-order manufacturing environment. Strong background in Mechanical Engineering (degree preferred but not required for the right experience). Exceptional leadership capability—able to elevate teams, implement structure, and drive accountability. Demonstrated expertise in process design, procedural improvement, lean methodologies, and operational transformation. Track record of improving efficiency, throughput, and delivery performance while maintaining strong safety and quality standards. Experience building and optimizing supply chain, production control, and scheduling processes. Excellent communication, collaboration, and project management skills. Why This Role Matters
This is a rare opportunity to step into a strategic leadership role where your impact on culture, structure, processes, and operational performance will directly shape the future of a growing organization. The President is seeking a trusted partner who can own the operations function, elevate it, and build the foundation for long-term scalability.
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Our client, a rapidly growing manufacturer of custom, build-to-order mechanical systems, is seeking a highly skilled
Director of Operations
to lead all areas of production, supply chain, planning, and operational execution. This leader will partner closely with the Plant Manager (who is stepping back from day-to-day oversight) and take full ownership of the operational functions that drive throughput, scalability, and quality. This is a critical, high-visibility role reporting directly to the President, with oversight of Production, Production Control, Purchasing, Scheduling, Warehouse, Testing, and Manufacturing Engineering. The ideal candidate brings a strong Mechanical Engineering background, deep experience improving processes and procedures, and a track record of elevating operational performance through strong leadership, cultural transformation, and continuous improvement initiatives. Key Responsibilities
Oversee all product-related operations, including Production, Production Control, Purchasing, Scheduling, Warehouse, Testing, and Manufacturing Engineering. Champion a positive, accountable, and collaborative culture aligned with company values and growth objectives. Lead cultural transformation initiatives that strengthen engagement, ownership, and continuous improvement across teams. Build strong, trust-based relationships across all functional areas and organizational levels. Drive process improvements, throughput optimization, and operational efficiency in a custom, build-to-order manufacturing environment. Lead lean manufacturing initiatives including Kaizen, 5S, value stream mapping, and capacity planning. Identify bottlenecks and align capacity with customer demand to improve on-time delivery, schedule adherence, and overall output. Direct production scheduling efforts to ensure realistic, achievable plans aligned with sales forecasts, material availability, labor, and equipment. Provide strategic leadership to Production Control, Purchasing, and Manufacturing Engineering, proactively resolving risks or conflicts affecting delivery performance. Implement and track KPIs related to safety, quality, productivity, inventory, efficiency, schedule attainment, and customer fulfillment. Drive supply chain and procurement strategy, improving material availability, lead times, supplier partnerships, and cost efficiency. Collaborate closely with Engineering, Sales, Finance, and New Product Development to support growth, technical releases, and operational readiness. Mentor and develop leadership within the Operations team; build bench strength and succession plans. Establish clear expectations, accountability measures, and structured training programs for managers and supervisors. Translate executive strategy into actionable operational plans that support scalability, new facility planning, and technology adoption. Ensure product quality is upheld while supporting Quality Management System requirements. Act as a community liaison for workforce development programs and oversee facility/production maintenance. Leadership & Supervisory Scope
Direct oversight of the Plant Manager, Production Control Manager, and Manufacturing Engineering Manager. Responsible for evaluating and restructuring the operational org chart as the business scales. Lead full-cycle people management including hiring, coaching, performance management, development, and accountability. Promote a culture centered on ethics, integrity, team building, collaboration, and high performance. What We’re Looking For
Proven success leading multi-department operations within a custom or engineered-to-order manufacturing environment. Strong background in Mechanical Engineering (degree preferred but not required for the right experience). Exceptional leadership capability—able to elevate teams, implement structure, and drive accountability. Demonstrated expertise in process design, procedural improvement, lean methodologies, and operational transformation. Track record of improving efficiency, throughput, and delivery performance while maintaining strong safety and quality standards. Experience building and optimizing supply chain, production control, and scheduling processes. Excellent communication, collaboration, and project management skills. Why This Role Matters
This is a rare opportunity to step into a strategic leadership role where your impact on culture, structure, processes, and operational performance will directly shape the future of a growing organization. The President is seeking a trusted partner who can own the operations function, elevate it, and build the foundation for long-term scalability.
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