Position Title: Director of Manufacturing
Reports to: Head of Operations
Role Description
The Director of Manufacturing will play a pivotal role in overseeing and managing the daily operations of the manufacturing facility. This individual will be responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, and ensuring the smooth operation of all activities within the plant, with an emphasis on maintaining high productivity, efficiency, safety, and the highest quality standards. The Director of Manufacturing will collaborate with various departments, which include Product Development, Marketing and Accounting, in support of all commercial and financial objectives. Departments under Director of Manufacturing’s direct leadership include production, quality control, maintenance, and logistics.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor a cross‑functional team of engineers, technicians, and production staff in eyewear frame manufacturing to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.
- Develop and implement strategies to improve product quality, process capability, and manufacturing efficiency.
- Partner with design and product development team to transition new frame designs into scalable, stable production.
- Manage day‑to‑day operations of in‑house frame manufacturing.
- Manage capital projects and equipment upgrades to enhance production capabilities and support scaling initiatives.
- Champion a culture of craftsmanship, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Develop industry standards and provide DFM (Design for Manufacturability) feedback during early design phases, influencing materials, tolerances, and construction methods for new eyewear frames.
- Translate product design into production‑ready engineering documentation, including drawings, BOMs, specifications, and process routings.
- Collaborate with manufacturing engineers and product designers to develop innovative solutions for frame construction, hinge integration, and surface finishing.
- Assist in the technical training of product development and production staff on new materials and processes.
- Document, standardize, and improve processes across machining, shaping, assembly, and finishing operations.
- Introduce and sustain lean manufacturing principles to reduce waste, improve quality, and shorten lead times.
- Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for process and product issues.
- Maintain equipment capability and recommend capital investments in manufacturing technology.
- Implement measurement and inspection methods for critical‑to‑quality features.
Operational Excellence
- Develop metrics for yield, cycle time, and productivity to develop consistent, manual master planning for more predictable production throughput.
- Coordinate with supply chain and vendor partners on components and outsourced processes (e.g., plating, coatings, laser engraving).
- Team Leadership: Successfully manages the manufacturing, quality control, and industrial design teams, comprised of a skilled labor pool of exempt and non‑exempt employees. Direct and lead the team with clear priorities and goals in support of broader business initiatives and to ensure quality, efficiency and collaboration at all times. Actively develops supervisors and leads to engage and motivate the workforce. Provides ongoing training/support for continuous skill development.
- Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement: Continuously evaluate existing processes to enhance output; leverage industry expertise as well as manufacturing background to implement the most efficient manufacturing solutions for eyewear production. Identify and implement new technologies, and systems to enhance resource use and streamline operations. Constantly strive to improve the operation in support of business goals and market needs (quality, cost, efficiency, timeliness etc.)
- Equipment & Machinery Oversight: Strong knowledge of specialized equipment and machinery, with the ability to diagnose, repair, and source parts, especially in collaboration with the Maintenance Manager.
- Cross‑Department Collaboration: Work closely with executive leadership and other departments to achieve organizational goals and ensure operational efficiency. Key stakeholders include Product Development, Finance, Sales, Marketing, Purchasing
- Alignment with Business Plan: Work closely with key stakeholders to ensure manufacturing plans meet the expectations of the business (ie: COGS, timing, quality etc).
- Budget Mgt and Cost Control: Establish appropriate annual plans and budgets in support of production forecasts and actively manage labor and raw material costs to ensure targets are met. Sets the foundation for growth, scalability and profitability in the manufacturing center.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Logistics, Engineering, or other industry‑related field required; MBA preferred. At least ten years of manufacturing experience.
- Prior experience leading teams and managing complex initiatives.
- Full‑time onsite position based at our Vernon Hills, IL Headquarters.