Director of Operations

Northern Chicago Suburbs, IL | $145K–$175K+

• Onsite 4X per week (~100 employees at this facility)


• Some travel to another U.S. facility as needed (~20 employees at 2nd facility)


• $145K–$175K+ base


• 15–18% annual bonus target


• Relocation assistance where applicable


• Medical, dental, vision, and company-funded HSA


• 401(k) with match, paid parental leave, life insurance, and disability


• Wellness, mental health, and family-building benefits

About the Company/Role

Our client is a global manufacturer of engineered finished products for professional and commercial markets seeking a Director of Operations to lead manufacturing strategy and performance across a multi-site business.

The ideal candidate will come from a whole-product manufacturing environment, preferably involving complex electromechanical finished products. Highly relevant backgrounds include power tools, cordless/pneumatic equipment, professional tools and equipment, appliances, consumer durables, and similar assembled products.

This is a broad manufacturing leadership role overseeing multiple plant functions while developing the managers responsible for day-to-day execution. The Director will balance operational performance with longer-term manufacturing strategy, continuous improvement, talent development, and growth initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing strategy, production planning, and performance across multiple facilities


• Oversee manufacturing operations and functions including engineering, maintenance, EHS, quality, and shipping/receiving


• Lead through plant/operations managers and develop a strong manufacturing leadership team


• Drive safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and overall operational performance


• Champion Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence


• Partner with engineering and product development on NPD/NPI, product launches, and manufacturing readiness


• Establish KPIs, operating rhythms, and accountability throughout the organization


• Drive cost reduction, capacity, productivity, and process improvements


• Develop managers capable of owning tactical execution while maintaining focus on longer-term strategy and growth

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree required; advanced degree preferred


• Director-level or comparable senior manufacturing/operations leadership experience


• Must-have experience leading the manufacturing of complete/whole finished products


• Strong preference for complex electromechanical finished products


• Highly relevant products include power tools, professional tools/equipment, cordless or pneumatic equipment, appliances, consumer durables, and similar assembled products


• Broad leadership experience across manufacturing plus engineering, quality, maintenance, EHS, production planning, and/or related plant functions


• Experience developing plant managers and manufacturing/operations leaders


• Multi-site manufacturing leadership strongly preferred


• Strong Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence experience


• Demonstrated success improving safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity


• NPD/NPI and product-launch experience preferred


• Six Sigma Black Belt, Green Belt, or similar certification preferred