Head of Operations

SUMMARY

The Head of Operations is responsible for the strategy, leadership and day-to-day execution of US Operations, including Production, Supply Chain and Planning, Purchasing/Procurement, Manufacturing Engineering, Facilities and Maintenance, and Operational Excellence.

This role requires a leader who can think strategically while remaining highly hands-on and visible within the operation. The Head of Operations is expected to understand the details behind operational performance, regularly engage with employees and leaders on the production floor, use data and ERP systems to identify issues, and personally help drive solutions.

The position partners closely with leadership and Company Group colleagues to ensure US Operations achieves its objectives for safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory and continuous improvement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Provide overall leadership and direction for Production, Supply Chain and Planning, Purchasing, Manufacturing Engineering, Facilities and Maintenance, and Operational Excellence.

Develop and execute short- and long-term operational strategies aligned with the Company and Company Group business objectives.

Maintain a strong and visible presence on the manufacturing floor, regularly engaging with employees and leaders to understand operational performance, identify issues and drive solutions.

Monitor and improve key operational measures including safety, quality, delivery, productivity, labor utilization, inventory, cost and customer performance.

Direct production planning, scheduling, capacity and staffing to meet business requirements while ensuring efficient utilization of people, equipment and materials.

Lead supply chain and purchasing activities, including supplier performance, material availability, inventory management, sourcing strategies and make/buy decisions.

Lead Manufacturing Engineering and continuous improvement efforts to improve manufacturing processes, layouts, equipment, productivity, quality and cost.

Provide oversight of facilities, maintenance, equipment reliability and capital improvement needs.

Utilize Microsoft Dynamics 365 and other operational systems directly to understand production, planning, inventory and purchasing performance and ensure data is effectively used for decision-making.

Bring strong ERP expertise, including MRP, shop-floor control, planning and inventory management.

Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste, improve efficiency and strengthen operational performance.

Develop and coach Operations managers and supervisors, establishing clear expectations, accountability and a culture of ownership and problem solving.

Partner effectively with Quality, Sales, Finance, HR and other functions to achieve company objectives.

Work directly with our client’s global group colleagues, including international teams, to resolve operational issues and align priorities.

Demonstrate the confidence, resilience and judgment to challenge assumptions, address difficult issues and push back professionally when appropriate, while maintaining productive working relationships.

Ensure compliance with applicable safety, environmental, quality and regulatory requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business Administration or related field.

10+ years of progressive manufacturing/operations experience with significant leadership responsibility.

Experience leading multiple operational functions within a small-to-mid-sized manufacturing environment strongly preferred.

Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, production planning, supply chain, purchasing, inventory management, manufacturing engineering and continuous improvement.

Strong ERP experience; Microsoft Dynamics 365 preferred.

Experience with Lean Manufacturing and practical continuous improvement methodologies.

Demonstrated ability to operate both strategically and hands-on, moving comfortably between executive-level planning and detailed shop-floor operational issues.

Strong business and financial acumen with the ability to use operational data to drive decisions.

Proven ability to develop leaders, build accountability and effectively lead organizational change.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the confidence to constructively challenge others and work effectively across functions and within a global organization.