Global Operations Director

Overview

Global Operations Director

Remote Europe or India

The Global Operations Director role reports into the President of the Thermal Ceramics Division and is a member of the division’s executive team. This role is a key contributor to the execution of our new business strategy which focuses our commercial and technical development efforts on selected high growth / high margin markets. Along with the optimization of our portfolio of products and assets, the improvement of industrial performance in specific underperforming sites and operational excellence will deliver on our ambition to grow revenue and increase our margins.

The Global Operations Director is responsible for developing and driving a GBU-wide manufacturing strategy and operational excellence. The role is also responsible for process safety, the decarbonization of our processes and the improvement of our competitiveness by increasing the quality, efficiency and delivery of GBU processes. The Operations Director drives an Operational Excellence culture across the GBU by leveraging and implementing best practices.

The Thermal Ceramics Division operates under the principle of subsidiarity whereby performing only those tasks which cannot be performed in the regional business units.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that all global manufacturing operations comply with safety regulations, industry standards, and environmental policies
• Manage cost and industrial performance reporting by fostering cost awareness and an optimization culture across the operations community
• Direct and support the Thermal Executive team in driving improvements
• Share best practices on good manufacturing and supply chain methodologies, global operations expertise, resourcing and including SOP, COPQ and other ad-hoc items
• Define sustainability strategy and initiatives including continuous improvement in waste reduction, energy efficiency, and sustainable practices across manufacturing facilities
• Coordinates and ensures EHS activities and programs are implemented in the business unit
• Create best in class line design, instrumentation and configuration
• Manage relationship with vendors of critical process equipment to foster competitive advantage via cost / quality and support new product manufacturing; identify and remedy equipment challenges/issues (i.e. needlers)
• Develop process technology roadmap and drive implementation
• Create CAPEX and ESG investment roadmaps in line with the GBU’s strategic plan; Lead preparation of annual and pluriannual CAPEX plan
• Drive the development and execution of long-term plans for growth, capacity expansion, and global production optimization (footprint)
• Provide manufacturing input into global sourcing decisions (internal + make or buy)
• Where applicable obtain/maintain Global ISO and IATF certifications
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including R&D, Supply Chain, and Sales to ensure seamless integration between manufacturing and other departments
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Regional Operations Directors and the global Operations function
• Ensure ongoing development of talent within the Operations teams through training, coaching, and leadership development programs
• Cultivate a collaborative, high-performance work environment that aligns with company culture and values

Qualifications

• Experience in leading global manufacturing teams, preferably in multiple markets
• Independent strategic thinking and strong strategic modelling skills
• Experience in developing and implementing transformational strategies
• Strong coaching and people development skills
• Experience leading and managing remote teams, both directly and indirectly
• Can demonstrate a strong team-based approach to leadership, having recruited and developed high-performing individuals and teams
• Graduate with engineering or technical degree; MBA preferred
• Judgement: demonstrates a sound process for weighing options and making decisions; Prepared to challenge the status quo and take calculated risks
• Creative thinking: generates unique and appropriate solutions, when required
• Drive and resilience: demonstrates motivation; is flexible and able to adapt styles to deliver results. Is comfortable with ambiguity.
• Execution: can demonstrate a proven ability to deliver on programs and projects; is a self-starter with a can-do attitude
• Empathy: is personable, authentic and emotionally aware
• Influencing: is an excellent communicator; has strong interpersonal skills and builds lasting relationships; can influence and persuade others through a range of techniques
• Cultural fit: is ambitious, innovative, collaborative and demonstrates integrity

Morgan Advanced Materials is an EEO/AA/M/W/D/V Employer Ind-1