Director of Operations, NA
JOST International, Grand Haven, MI, United States
Director Operations North America
The Director of Operations North America is a senior operational leader responsible for driving manufacturing excellence, operational discipline, and transformational performance across JOST's North American footprint, including facilities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This leader will oversee end-to-end operationsincluding production, safety, quality, supply chain, engineering, continuous improvement, and capital planningto ensure world-class performance in safety, delivery, quality, and cost. The ideal candidate is a proven architect of lean transformation, known for humility, team-first leadership, and the ability to build high-performance cultures. This individual brings a servant-leadership mentality, strong analytical acumen, and the credibility to influence at all levels while maintaining a low-ego, highly disciplined approach to leadership. Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership & Execution Lean Transformation & Continuous Improvement Safety, Quality & Compliance People Leadership & Culture Development Manufacturing Strategy & Footprint Optimization Supply Chain, Planning & Logistics Customer & Cross-Functional Engagement Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field (MBA or MS preferred). 1015+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience within Tier-1 automotive, commercial vehicle, heavy equipment, or industrial manufacturing environment. Demonstrated success leading large multi-site operations (U.S. and Mexico experience strongly preferred). Proven track record of end-to-end lean transformationnot just incremental improvements. Expertise in implementing structured operating systems (lean/TPS, LSW, tiered meetings, Gemba leadership). Strong experience with safety programs, quality systems, and regulatory compliance. Demonstrated capability to lead automation, robotics, and digitization initiatives. Experience with high-mix, medium-volume manufacturing; metal fabrication, welding, machining, or complex assemblies is highly beneficial. Financial acumen with experience managing multi-site budgets, CapEx, inventory, and operational KPIs. Exceptional leadership presenceconfident yet humble, disciplined yet collaborative. Leadership Competencies
Servant Leadership: Places the success of employees and customers above personal ego. Operational Rigor: Naturally disciplined in process, metrics, structure, and follow-through. Systems Thinker: Can connect process, people, KPIs, and flow into a cohesive performance system. Change Agent: Drives cultural transformation while bringing teams along with empathy and clarity. Fact-Based Decision Making: Uses data, structured problem solving, and analytical rigor. Team Builder: Elevates people, develops successors, and promotes accountability. Strong Communicator: Explains complex operational concepts clearly and credibly. Success Measures (First 1224 Months)
Sustained improvement in SQDCI metrics across all sites. Stabilization and rollout of a common Operating System across North America. Measurable reductions in labor cost, scrap, rework, and WIP. Improved OTD performance above industry benchmarks. A strengthened leadership team with succession pipelines in place. Execution of footprint initiatives delivering meaningful cost and capability improvements. Demonstrated step-change in plant culturehigh engagement, low ego, high accountability. Delivers a sustained reduction in Labor COGS % of Sales through disciplined manpower management and process redesign. Develops a project-based continuous improvement roadmap for each plant, supported by a robust, standardized training plan to build CI capability across all levels. Physical Requirements: a) Work is generally performed in an office setting. b) While performing duties of this job, the employee will regularly; sit, stand, walk, reach, bend, twist and occasionally will be required to stoop, kneel, lift or move objects of 51 pounds or less with or without assistance.
The Director of Operations North America is a senior operational leader responsible for driving manufacturing excellence, operational discipline, and transformational performance across JOST's North American footprint, including facilities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This leader will oversee end-to-end operationsincluding production, safety, quality, supply chain, engineering, continuous improvement, and capital planningto ensure world-class performance in safety, delivery, quality, and cost. The ideal candidate is a proven architect of lean transformation, known for humility, team-first leadership, and the ability to build high-performance cultures. This individual brings a servant-leadership mentality, strong analytical acumen, and the credibility to influence at all levels while maintaining a low-ego, highly disciplined approach to leadership. Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership & Execution Lean Transformation & Continuous Improvement Safety, Quality & Compliance People Leadership & Culture Development Manufacturing Strategy & Footprint Optimization Supply Chain, Planning & Logistics Customer & Cross-Functional Engagement Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field (MBA or MS preferred). 1015+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience within Tier-1 automotive, commercial vehicle, heavy equipment, or industrial manufacturing environment. Demonstrated success leading large multi-site operations (U.S. and Mexico experience strongly preferred). Proven track record of end-to-end lean transformationnot just incremental improvements. Expertise in implementing structured operating systems (lean/TPS, LSW, tiered meetings, Gemba leadership). Strong experience with safety programs, quality systems, and regulatory compliance. Demonstrated capability to lead automation, robotics, and digitization initiatives. Experience with high-mix, medium-volume manufacturing; metal fabrication, welding, machining, or complex assemblies is highly beneficial. Financial acumen with experience managing multi-site budgets, CapEx, inventory, and operational KPIs. Exceptional leadership presenceconfident yet humble, disciplined yet collaborative. Leadership Competencies
Servant Leadership: Places the success of employees and customers above personal ego. Operational Rigor: Naturally disciplined in process, metrics, structure, and follow-through. Systems Thinker: Can connect process, people, KPIs, and flow into a cohesive performance system. Change Agent: Drives cultural transformation while bringing teams along with empathy and clarity. Fact-Based Decision Making: Uses data, structured problem solving, and analytical rigor. Team Builder: Elevates people, develops successors, and promotes accountability. Strong Communicator: Explains complex operational concepts clearly and credibly. Success Measures (First 1224 Months)
Sustained improvement in SQDCI metrics across all sites. Stabilization and rollout of a common Operating System across North America. Measurable reductions in labor cost, scrap, rework, and WIP. Improved OTD performance above industry benchmarks. A strengthened leadership team with succession pipelines in place. Execution of footprint initiatives delivering meaningful cost and capability improvements. Demonstrated step-change in plant culturehigh engagement, low ego, high accountability. Delivers a sustained reduction in Labor COGS % of Sales through disciplined manpower management and process redesign. Develops a project-based continuous improvement roadmap for each plant, supported by a robust, standardized training plan to build CI capability across all levels. Physical Requirements: a) Work is generally performed in an office setting. b) While performing duties of this job, the employee will regularly; sit, stand, walk, reach, bend, twist and occasionally will be required to stoop, kneel, lift or move objects of 51 pounds or less with or without assistance.