Associate Director, Manufacturing Operations - Water Cooled

Carrier; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 143,000 - 286,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Carrier Global Corporation is seeking an Associate Director, Manufacturing Operations to lead an assigned manufacturing value stream onsite, overseeing production, manufacturing engineering, supply chain coordination, quality, scheduling and continuous improvement.

You will drive operational excellence to meet safety, cost and delivery targets while coaching managers and engineers and championing innovations in automation and lean methods.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of relevant manufacturing leadership experience; or an advanced degree with 8+ years.
• 3+ years experience leading leaders and cross‑functional teams.
• 3+ years managing manufacturing operations and value streams.
• 3+ years in production systems, quality systems and continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead operations for an assigned value stream meeting safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity targets.
• Develop and execute strategies to support growth and customer requirements.
• Drive cost reduction and efficiency through continuous improvement.
• Oversee production planning, scheduling, and sequencing to maximize throughput.
• Lead cross-functional problem‑solving with manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, and customers.
• Champion innovations including automation and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Establish operational objectives and achieve performance targets.
• Partner with customers to understand business needs and maintain exceptional service levels.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Lean/Six Sigma

Continuous improvement

Production planning

Quality systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or technical field

Tools

ERP systems

Automation technologies

Job description

About Carrier

Carrier Global Corporation, global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions, is committed to creating innovations that bring comfort, safety and sustainability to life. Through cutting-edge advancements in climate solutions such as temperature control, air quality and transportation, we improve lives, empower critical industries and ensure safe transport of food, lifesaving medicines and more. Since inventing modern air conditioning in 1902, we lead with purpose: enhancing the lives we live and the world we share. We continue to lead because of our world‑class, inclusive workforce that puts the customer at the center of everything we do. For more information, visit corporate.carrier.com or follow on Carrier social media at @Carrier.

About The Role

The Associate Director, Manufacturing Operations is responsible for leading all aspects of an assigned manufacturing value stream. This position provides strategic and operational leadership across production, manufacturing engineering, supply chain coordination, quality, scheduling, and continuous improvement activities. The successful candidate will drive operational excellence while ensuring customer commitments are met through effective management of cost, quality, delivery, safety, and productivity objectives. This role is onsite five days per week and leads multiple managers and supervisors responsible for a complex manufacturing operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing operations for an assigned value stream, ensuring performance against safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity metrics.
• Develop and execute operational strategies that support business growth and customer requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on cost reduction, efficiency gains, and operational excellence.
• Oversee production planning, scheduling, and sequencing to maximize throughput and resource utilization.
• Lead cross‑functional problem solving involving manufacturing, engineering, supply chain, quality, suppliers, and customer stakeholders.
• Direct manufacturing engineering activities and implementation of process improvements.
• Champion innovation initiatives, including advanced manufacturing technologies and automation.
• Establish operational objectives and ensure achievement of performance targets.
• Partner closely with customers to understand business needs and ensure exceptional service levels.
• Lead equipment investment and facility improvement initiatives that support long‑term operational strategy.
• Develop, coach, and mentor managers, supervisors, and engineering leaders while building organizational capability.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or technical field.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant manufacturing leadership experience; OR Advanced Degree with a minimum of 8 years of experience.
• 3+ years experience leading leaders, managers, and cross‑functional teams.
• 3+ years managing manufacturing operations, plant operations, or value stream performance.
• 3+ years in production systems, manufacturing engineering, quality systems, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within HVAC, industrial equipment, engineered products, or data center manufacturing environments.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Operational Excellence experience.
• Experience in high‑mix, low‑volume manufacturing environments.
• Proven success leading complex operational transformation initiatives.
• Strong customer‑facing leadership and stakeholder management capabilities.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Leadership
• Operational Excellence
• Value Stream Management
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Supply Chain Collaboration
• Financial Acumen
• Continuous Improvement
• Customer Focus
• Talent Development
• Change Leadership

Pay Range

The annual salary for this position is between $143,000.00 - $286,000.00 annually. Factors which may affect pay within this range include, but are not limited to, skills, education, experience, and other unique qualifications of the successful candidate. The pay range will not be below the minimum wage applicable to the jurisdiction in which the applicant is to be employed.

Other Compensation

Thisposition is entitled to short‑term cash incentives, subject to plan requirements.

Benefits

Employees are eligible for benefits, including:

• Health Care Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision; Wellness incentives
• Retirement Benefits
• Time off and Leave: Paid vacation days, up to 15 days; paid sick days, up to 5 days; paid personal leave, up to 5 days; paid holidays, up to 13 days; birth and adoption leave; parental leave; family and medical leave; bereavement leave; jury duty leave; military leave; purchased vacation
• Disability: Short‑term and long‑term disability
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Tax‑Advantaged Accounts: Health Savings Account; Health Care Spending Account; Dependent Care Spending Account
• Tuition Assistance

Carrier EEO Statement and Accommodations Process

Carrier is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status or any other applicable state or federal protected class. Carrier provides affirmative action in employment for qualified individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with section 503 of Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, participate in an interview, or otherwise engage in the hiring process, please contact us at [e-mail]. We will make every effort to meet your needs in accordance with applicable laws.

Application Deadline

Applications will be accepted for at least 3 days from Job Posting Date: 13 October 2026

Job Applicant's Privacy Notice

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Use of AI

Technology-enabled tools may support parts of the recruitment process, with oversight by people.