Operations Director

Hiab; Caxias do Sul; On-site; BRL 350,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Hiab is seeking an Operations Director to shape and execute the operational strategy for its Brazilian manufacturing footprint. The role oversees two sites (Santo Antônio da Patrulha and Caxias do Sul), travels between them, and drives safety, quality, delivery and productivity improvements.

You will lead a high-performing organization, implement Industry 4.0 initiatives, and align capacity with growth and profitability targets across PSC operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field; master's considered an advantage.
• 7–10 years in manufacturing operations and supply chain management.
• 5–7 years in factory/operations management with senior leadership exposure.
• Proven track record driving performance, transformation and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead safety, quality, delivery, and productivity improvements across two Brazilian sites.
• Develop short-, medium-, and long-term production plans; ensure resources and capacity.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing, HBS deployment, and Industry 4.0 initiatives.
• Oversee production engineering, NPI readiness, and material replenishment.
• Drive cost competitiveness and sustainable growth through operational excellence.

Skills

Operations leadership

Lean Manufacturing

Strategic planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

University degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Hiab is the pioneer in smart and sustainable on road load handling solutions. We believe in more than just work — we believe in making a difference for our customers to building a better tomorrow.

Your mission

As Operations Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the operational strategy, driving operational excellence, and ensuring sustainable growth across the Division's manufacturing operations.

You will be responsible for continuously improving safety, quality, delivery performance, productivity, and cost competitiveness, while building a high-performing organization with the capabilities, engagement, and efficiency required to achieve our business objectives.

In this strategic leadership role, you will drive the long-term End-to-End (E2E) Supply growth strategy, ensuring that operational capabilities, capacity, and manufacturing footprint are aligned with business growth ambitions, customer demand, and profitability targets.

The role encompasses operational leadership across our two manufacturing locations in Santo Antônio da Patrulha and Caxias do Sul, Brazil, requiring regular travel between both sites to ensure strong collaboration, operational alignment, and consistent performance.

Key Responsibilities

Safety

• Champion a proactive Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) culture, ensuring a safe and healthy working environment for all employees.
• Ensure compliance with company EHS policies, standards, risk assessments, and applicable regulations, embedding safety into everyday operations and decision-making.

Quality

• Take ownership of PSC product quality performance, ensuring compliance with engineering specifications, quality standards, and customer expectations.
• Drive a zero-defect, right-first-time culture, continuously improving product and process quality while optimizing the total cost of quality.

Delivery

• Develop and execute short-, medium-, and long-term production and capacity plans to meet customer demand and support business growth.
• Ensure the availability of resources, competencies, and manufacturing capabilities required to deliver operational commitments.
• Lead the SMR/S&OP process, ensuring effective alignment between supply capabilities, customer demand, and business priorities.
• Develop and execute the long-term manufacturing footprint strategy in alignment with the PSC growth strategy.
• Oversee Production Engineering and New Product Introduction (NPI), ensuring manufacturing readiness, operational efficiency, and successful product industrialization.
• Drive the implementation of an effective material replenishment strategy aligned with PSC inventory policies and operational requirements.
• Optimize inventory levels and material flow to ensure supply continuity, working capital efficiency, and reliable delivery performance.

Productivity

• Develop and execute annual operational plans and budgets aligned with strategic business and financial objectives.
• Establish, monitor, and continuously improve operational performance against key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring timely corrective actions and sustainable results.
• Drive operational excellence through Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and the deployment of the Hiab Business System (HBS).
• Develop and execute a sustainable operations transformation roadmap, leveraging Industry 4.0, automation, and digitalization to enhance manufacturing competitiveness.
• Implement world-class manufacturing principles to improve operational efficiency, cost competitiveness, and productivity.
• Lead the continuous improvement of Operations business processes, ensuring standardization, effectiveness, and alignment across the organization.

What we are looking for

Education

• University degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline. A Master's degree is considered an advantage.

Experience

• 7–10 years of relevant experience in manufacturing operations and supply chain management within an industrial environment, preferably in the automotive, commercial vehicle, construction equipment, or agricultural machinery sectors.
• 5–7 years of factory or operations management experience, including at least 3–5 years in a senior leadership role within a multinational manufacturing organization.
• Proven track record of driving operational performance, business transformation, and continuous improvement in a complex manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, operational excellence methodologies, and their application to achieving business objectives.
• Experience in production planning, capacity management, manufacturing engineering, and supply chain operations.
• Demonstrated ability to translate business strategy into operational plans and deliver measurable results.
• Experience in leading organizational change, developing leadership capabilities, and building high-performing teams.
• Strong financial acumen, including operational budgeting, cost management, and performance optimization.
• Experience working in a unionized manufacturing environment and managing employee relations is considered an advantage.
• Cross-functional experience and collaboration with Supply Chain, R&D, Sourcing, Sales & Service functions.
• Willingness to travel as required.

What We Offer

As a part of our Employees First culture, we offer opportunities to grow within a dynamic environment that values flexibility and your well-being. We strive to make things easier, empower you to succeed, and strive for excellence in a positive and inclusive environment.

We Are Hiab

Hiab (Nasdaq Helsinki: HIAB) is a leading provider of smart and sustainable on road load-handling solutions, committed to delivering the best customer experience every day with the most engaged people and partners. As the industry pioneer, Hiab continues to make on road load-handling smarter, safer and more sustainable to build a better tomorrow.