Director - Advanced Manufacturing Operations Engineering

Generac; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Generac seeks a Director of Operations Engineering and Facilities to lead strategic footprint initiatives and enterprise real estate portfolio management. This role shapes roadmaps, standards, and innovations to optimize asset utilization and overall facility performance.

The position requires deep experience in operations engineering, facilities management, and cross-functional leadership across global teams, with a focus on cost reduction, safety, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering discipline.
• Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Industrial Engineering.
• 10+ years of Operations Engineering and Maintenance experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive an Operations Footprint Roadmap aligned with long-range planning.
• Lead multi-site facilities and infrastructure programs with budget oversight.
• Implement processes to maximize floor space, asset uptime and utilization.
• Evaluate new technologies to accelerate competitive advantage.
• Oversee capital projects, vendor management, and safety/quality standards.
• Mentor and develop engineering and facilities teams; manage performance.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Budget management

Project management

Education

Bachelors in Engineering

Masters in Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial Engineering

Tools

SAP

CMMS

ERP systems

Job description

The Director – Operations Engineering and Facilities is responsible for providing leadership, best practices, and innovation around Industrial Footprint Strategy, Portfolio Utilization and Planning, Infrastructure Systems Capacity, Operations Engineering Standards and Best Practices, and Enterprise Real Estate Portfolio Management. This will be achieved through the combination of strategic roadmap development, process development, standards / best practice deployment, and innovation that increases utilization and delivers asset and operations optimization with the target of creating world class facilities that integrate the latest‑gen systems through a holistic approach to business operations, using a high level of technology throughout every step of a facility’s value chain.

In addition, this leader will be accountable for the management of the Enterprise Real Estate portfolio and administer oversight on real estate acquisition, divestiture, lease creation and extensions, lease administration, and overall portfolio strategy development.

Major Responsibilities

• Drive an Operations Strategic Footprint Roadmap development process that aligns with business long range planning;
• Ensure each manufacturing facility has a 5-year roadmap developed that aligns with all other operational disciplines to achieve the best leverage of the asset and systems within;
• Develop and implement operating methodologies and procedures designed to maximize floor space utilization, asset uptime and utilization, eliminate waste, and operation cost reductions;
• Research and evaluate new technologies and breakthrough processes to accelerate competitive advantages while meeting business requirements;
• Lead operational strategy and execution by aligning daily activities with company goals, improving productivity, and managing operational budgets.
• Oversee Adv. Mfg. operations engineering team, including project planning, technical guidance, resource allocation, and compliance with safety and quality standards.
• Manage facilities and infrastructure, ensuring maintenance, repairs, building systems performance, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and implement policies related to operations, engineering processes, and facility management to support growth and efficiency.
• Coordinate cross‑functional collaboration with HR, finance, engineering teams, and senior leadership to support organizational priorities.
• Oversee capital projects and vendor management, including budgeting, contract negotiation, and performance tracking.
• Drive sustainability and workplace optimization initiatives, including energy efficiency, space planning, and long‑term facility planning.
• Monitor KPIs and operational performance, using data to evaluate productivity, engineering output, and facility efficiency
• Recruit, mentor, and develop engineering and facilities teams, ensuring strong leadership pipelines and high performing teams
• Support the reduction of the operating cost of each facility consistent with company objectives;
• Lead, coordinate and/or support the introduction of new/revised processes and technology that support cost reduction initiatives.
• Project Management
• Lead high level facilities projects, providing direction, guidance, and engineering expertise to team members.
• Facilitate project flow involving regular contact with engineering, manufacturing and other cross functional teams
• Drive and project manage major strategic cost, quality, and delivery initiatives with aggressive focus on breakthrough process and technology improvements to achieve substantial competitive advantage.
• Provide guidance to cross-functional teams and leadership on key strategic decisions related to continued investment in core technologies and systems that enable a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
• Select, coach and develop a team, setting objectives that align with company strategy to inspire and motivate the team. Manage organizational talent through performance management, succession planning and development.
• Designs and directs processes by which team and individual performance are recognized, feedback is consistently delivered and performance is systematically improved.

Minimum Job Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant Engineering discipline

Work Experience

• 10+ years related experience in Operations Engineering and Maintenance or equivalent
• 5 years of increasing responsibility for project and / or people management involving a broad range of operational technologies and processes

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Education

• Master’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering

Work Experience

• Extensive experience in the development and implementation of facilities and infrastructure systems to support the processes for manufacturing products related to safety, manufacturing, material handling, and product functional testing.
• Experience in deployment of processes at an enterprise level – both internally and externally with supply chain partners
• Experience working in an international company and in matrix organizations;
• Multi‑site support experience;
• Previous experience using SAP or equivalent ERP
• Experience with Facilities / Structural engineering
• Experience using and /or implementing CMMS systems
• Large scale project management experience.

Physical Demands

Office Environment (Includes field sales): While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; and use hands to manipulate objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. On occasion, the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend, or reach above the shoulders. The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 pounds. Specific conditions of this job are typical of frequent and continuous computer‑based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Up to 20% travel and valid Driver’s License required.

DISCLAIMER

All responsibilities and requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only responsibilities to be performed by an employee occupying this job or position. Employees must follow any other job‑related instructions and perform any other job‑related duties requested by the employer.