Director of Operations

Confidential Manufacturing Company | Greater Chicago Area

Full-Time | On-Site

Compensation: $130,000–$160,000 per year

The Opportunity

A fast‑growing manufacturing organization in the Greater Chicago area is seeking a Director of Operations to lead and strengthen its production operations during a significant period of growth.

This is a highly visible, hands‑on leadership role for an operations leader who thrives in a growing manufacturing environment and knows how to turn operational challenges into measurable results.

The organization has continued to invest in its facility, leadership team, systems, and production capabilities and is preparing for increased production demand. The Director of Operations will play a critical role in improving productivity, strengthening operating discipline, developing scalable processes, and ensuring the organization is positioned for continued growth.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys staying close to the operation, developing strong managers and supervisors, establishing effective processes, and driving initiatives through to completion.

What You'll Do

• Lead day‑to‑day operations across a multi‑shift manufacturing environment.
• Provide leadership and accountability to supervisors and functional leaders across production and supporting operational areas.
• Establish clear performance expectations, operational priorities, and measurable KPIs.
• Identify production bottlenecks and operational challenges and take ownership of implementing practical solutions.
• Develop, improve, and standardize SOPs and operating processes.
• Drive improvements in productivity, throughput, quality, efficiency, waste reduction, and cost control.
• Ensure production plans, labor, equipment, materials, and workflows are aligned with business demand.
• Build accountability throughout the management team and ensure commitments and improvement initiatives are completed.
• Coach and develop managers and supervisors while maintaining strong visibility within the operation.
• Partner with quality, safety, and other functional teams to maintain appropriate operational standards.
• Use ERP and production data to monitor performance, support planning, and make informed operational decisions.
• Support the continued development of a scalable operating structure as the organization grows.
• Participate as a key member of the leadership team and contribute to broader business planning and continuous improvement initiatives.

What We're Looking For

• Significant progressive leadership experience within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Experience leading multi‑shift, high‑volume manufacturing operations.
• Demonstrated success managing production teams, supervisors, and operational leaders.
• Proven ability to identify an operational problem, develop a solution, implement it, and measure the result.
• Strong experience creating or improving standard operating procedures and operational processes.
• Track record of improving productivity, throughput, quality, efficiency, or other manufacturing KPIs.
• Experience working with ERP, production planning, or manufacturing management systems.
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, continuous improvement, or similar operational methodologies is strongly valued.
• Strong problem‑solving skills combined with urgency, ownership, and follow‑through.
• Ability to operate effectively in a growing organization where leaders are expected to be both strategic and hands‑on.
• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Business, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline preferred.
• Experience in high‑volume manufacturing environments is particularly valuable.

Schedule & Location

This is a full‑time, on‑site position in the Greater Chicago area. The organization operates multiple production shifts, and the Director of Operations must be comfortable maintaining appropriate visibility across the operation as needed. Core hours will be on 1st shift, Monday through Friday.

Base Salary: $130,000–$160,000 annually

A competitive benefits package including health insurance is provided.