Director of Operations

LHH Recruitment Solutions; Dilovası; On-site; TRY 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

LHH Recruitment Solutions is seeking a Director of Operations for a leading industrial machinery manufacturer. The role oversees Engineering, R&D, and Manufacturing, guiding a 150+ team to drive performance and continuous improvement across MTO/ETO environments.

The successful candidate will partner with the General Manager and executive leadership to shape long-term operational strategy, ensure quality and safety, and deliver sustainable growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 15 years in industrial manufacturing with leadership roles.
• Experience leading large multidisciplinary teams (blue and white collar).
• Strong English language skills; ability to interface with international customers.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across Engineering, R&D, and Manufacturing.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams to execute MTO and ETO projects.
• Align engineering and production to meet quality, delivery, productivity and profitability targets.
• Drive manufacturing performance with scalable processes and Lean initiatives.
• Develop KPIs and drive capacity planning, resource optimization, and cost efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Engineering leadership

ETO/MTO expertise

Strategic planning

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

About the Company

Our client is a well-established industrial machinery manufacturer serving large-scale industrial customers across domestic and international markets. Operating within Make-to-Order (MTO) and Engineer-to-Order (ETO) business environments, the company delivers highly engineered products and customized solutions for demanding industrial applications.

With annual revenues exceeding €40 million, the organization possesses a strong reputation through its engineering capabilities, manufacturing excellence, and customer-focused approach.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the General Manager, the Director of Operations will assume overall responsibility for the company's Engineering, R&D, and Manufacturing organizations.

The position plays a key leadership role in driving operational performance, engineering excellence, manufacturing effectiveness, and organizational capability while supporting the company's continued growth objectives.

Leading a team of more than 150 employees, the successful candidate will ensure strong collaboration between engineering and production functions while fostering a culture of performance, continuous improvement, and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across Engineering, R&D, and Manufacturing functions.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams to ensure successful execution of Make-to-Order (MTO) and Engineer-to-Order (ETO) projects.
• Establish strong alignment between engineering and production teams to achieve quality, delivery, productivity, and profitability targets.
• Drive manufacturing performance across all operational areas, ensuring efficient and scalable processes.
• Oversee manufacturing activities including:

Welded Fabrication, Heavy Manufacturing, Metal Forming & Bending, Machining, Assembly Operations, Surface Treatment & Paint Shop Operations

• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence initiatives across the organization.
• Develop and monitor key operational and engineering performance indicators.
• Drive capacity planning, resource optimization, productivity improvement, and cost efficiency programs.
• Ensure compliance with quality, health, safety, and environmental standards.
• Build, develop, and mentor high-performing management and technical teams.
• Partner closely with the General Manager and executive leadership team to support business growth and long-term operational strategy.

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of professional experience within industrial manufacturing environments.
• Proven leadership experience in senior roles such as:
• Director of Operations, Manufacturing Director, Plant Director, Factory Manager, Engineering Director, Head of Manufacturing, Head of Operations
• Strong background in manufacturing and engineering-led organizations.
• Demonstrated experience managing large, multidisciplinary teams consisting of both blue-collar and white-collar employees.
• Strong understanding of Engineer-to-Order (ETO) and Make-to-Order (MTO) business models.
• Experience in project-based manufacturing environments with customized product portfolios.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.

Preferred Industry Experience

We are particularly interested in candidates with leadership experience in one or more of the following sectors:

• Industrial Machinery Manufacturing
• Heavy Equipment Manufacturing
• Material Handling Equipment
• Lifting & Crane Systems
• Industrial Furnace Systems
• Compressor Manufacturing
• Power Transformer Manufacturing
• Process Equipment Manufacturing
• Steel Fabrication & Engineered Structures
• Mining Equipment
• Energy Equipment Manufacturing
• Shipbuilding & Heavy Industrial Projects