WHAT IS A OPERATIONS DIRECTOR ?
The Operations Director will collaborate intimately with the executive leadership to define and execute long-term objectives, strategies, initiatives, and guidelines. This role is pivotal in defining priorities and guiding the operational advancements through process refinement and expertise enhancement. The Operations Director will champion a culture focused on perpetual enhancement, guiding team members towards optimizing procedures to bolster safety, quality, delivery, and efficiency on a daily basis. Responsible for leading the organization's manufacturing operations, this position covers comprehensive oversight of the plant's entire operational spectrum, including production, procurement, quality assurance, maintenance, and logistics. Utilizing a profound understanding of manufacturing processes, the person will spearhead the identification of innovative solutions to technical challenges, assist research and development in launching new products that fulfill customer demands and facilitate market expansion, support product deployment and client onboarding, enhance existing offerings to meet organizational or consumer expectations, and develop, refine, and standardize manufacturing protocols to guarantee customer satisfaction.
An Overview of Operations Director Responsibilities and Qualifications
1. Operations Director Responsibilities and Functions
- Champion the implementation of new manufacturing flows, systems, and processes.
- Develop and regularly monitor appropriate performance metrics, financial forecasts, and other metrics to evaluate operations and identify areas for improvement.
- Implement policies and practices to improve operational efficiencies, reduce costs, and fulfill customer expectations.
- Oversee all staff and operations on a day-to-day basis.
- Manage customer relationships and retention by providing quick response times and problem-solving opportunities to prospective and current customers.
- Build and maintain relationships with the sales team and other internal teams to collaborate, influence, and effectively drive company initiatives and objectives.
- Drives a culture of continuous improvement (Lean, 5S) across the plant.
- Promote a healthy and safe work environment in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations in all day-to-day operations, as well as adherence to existing policies and procedures.
- Formulates and recommends manufacturing policies and programs that guide the organization in maintaining and improving its competitive position and the profitability of the operation.
- Works with the Sales team and Customers to provide solutions and build relationships and credibility.
- Initiates and coordinates major projects (e.g., plant layout changes, installation of capital equipment, major repairs, etc.).
- Develop and implement successful manufacturing practices for the production of newly developed products. Document and publish standard process requirements.
- Ensure adherence to all process specifications. Interface with plant operations personnel to make sure needed practices are implemented; train employees as needed.
- Support the R&D team to implement and manage projects for the development, testing, and improvement of new products.
- Support product implementation and customer qualification.
- Review product performance and propose corrective action for issues that arise.
- Work safely, in compliance with all corporate, plant, local, state, and federal safety rules and regulations.
- Keeping abreast of current policies and procedures. Investigate, develop, and provide recommended solutions for any safety issues related to plant equipment requiring field or project engineering as assigned.
- Provide leadership for the successful day-to-day operation of the plant.
- Lead the operations management team and hold management accountable for team performance.
- Motivate employees and set appropriate individual, and team performance targets.
- Conduct performance reviews for direct reports, and provide timely and relevant feedback.
- Ensure the presence of relevant training and development opportunities to address existing gaps.
- Coach and mentor direct reports to promote professional development and drive team and company performance.
- Participate in the interviewing process as necessary for plant personnel.
- Promote effective communications at all levels of the company by holding and participating in regular employee meetings and ensuring timely dissemination of relevant information.
- Monitor operations expenses and identify ways to reduce costs while maintaining quality.
- Ensure adherence to operating budgets
- Manage P&L activities on a regular basis.
2. Operations Director Skills, Ability and Experience
- BA/BS in industrial or mechanical engineering, or a 4-year technical degree in a related discipline. 5+ years progressive experience in a key leadership/management role at a manufacturing facility.
- Prior experience with electronics, lighting, or other related industry preferred.
- Must have innovative management, project management, and strategic planning capabilities to effect change.
- Strong leadership and change management skills.
- Must be hands-on and have experience working on the manufacturing floor.
- Strong organizational, planning, and follow-up skills.
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize business issues and deliver solutions in a fast-paced environment.
- Previous experience/strong understanding of budgeting/expense management with a basic understanding of financial and accounting practices.
- Strong computer skills including the ability to prepare spreadsheets and use Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and/or Access) to analyze data and trends.
- Previous experience/best practices implementing and using continuous improvement/lean tools such as Six Sigma, 5-S, Lean Manufacturing, to drive improvement.
- Previous experience/broad understanding of safety systems and enforcement of safety rules and policies.
- Demonstrated understanding of the principles and applications associated with manufacturing operations, maintenance, and engineering.
- Excellent planning and organizational skills, with the ability to balance production and maintenance needs.
- Excellent leadership, team-building, and advanced coaching skills.
- Demonstrated ability to engage and motivate people, assess and develop employee skills.
- Strong interpersonal communication and listening abilities.
- Demonstrated ability to be adaptable and flexible, along with strong analytical and decision-making skills.
- Ability to work with teams and lead decision-making processes in a team environment.
- Proven organization and time-management skills.