Director of Manufacturing Operations (Akron, OH)

Midwest Executive Search Group; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Midwest Executive Search Group is seeking an Operations Director near Akron, Ohio to serve as a visible, people-first leader who translates strategy into disciplined execution across production, maintenance, and facilities. You will drive safety, continuous improvement, and cost discipline while building scalable processes and strong teams.

This on-site role requires 7+ years in complex manufacturing, with union environment experience preferred, and relocation support for non-local candidates.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive leadership in complex manufacturing.
• Experience in automotive or union environments preferred.
• Proven ability to drive safety, stability, and productivity.
• On-site role near Akron, relocation provided for non-local hires.

Responsibilities

• Lead operations across production, maintenance, and facilities.
• Translate strategy into disciplined execution and measurable results.
• Oversee daily management and problem-solving across value streams.
• Manage budgets and labor efficiency while meeting financial targets.
• Ensure scalable processes and strong safety culture.
• Collaborate with HR, Finance, Quality, EHS, Engineering, and Supply Chain.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional

Operational excellence

Safety leadership

Strategic execution

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Operations Management

Job description

Reporting to the CEO, the Operations Director serves as chief operations officer for an industry leading, commercial and specialty vehicle manufacturing organization. The Operations Director is a visible, people-first leader that builds credibility through technical competency, consistency, follow-through, and empowering people. A successful candidate demonstrates emotional intelligence, thoughtful decision making, preference for simple and repeatable solutions, and ability to influence and lead teams through periods of transformation.

Areas of ownership

• Drive manufacturing performance across production, maintenance and facility, ensuring operational excellence. Primary owner of plant operational results, translating strategy into disciplined execution, safety, developing scalable processes, and driving performance improvements cross-functionally with Quality, EHS, HR, Finance, Engineering, and Supply Chain.
• Lead disciplined daily management practices across value streams, ensuring clear prioritization, structured problem solving, and execution rigor aligned with company goals and regulatory requirements. Influence a culture of continuous improvement and learning, embedding principles such as standardized work adherence, root cause problem solving, counter measure implementation, and first-time right execution.
• Meet manufacturing budgets and forecast commitments, ensuring cost discipline, labor efficiency, and performance alignment to financial targets
• Ensure manufacturing processes are technically robust, scalable, and capable of meeting current and future demand requirements
• Ensure preventive maintenance rigor, equipment uptime, and facility readiness to support safe and efficient production
• Ensure operations organization is properly structured, staffed, and capable of meeting production requirements under varying demand conditions. Guarantee operational performance is sustained through disciplined leadership, talent development, and cultural alignment.
• Refine and ensure operational performance metrics are visible, accurate, and leveraged for accountability and corrective action
• Partner with HR to ensure compliance with established company and collective bargaining practices, and timely resolution of matters

Education, Experience, and Technical Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Technology, Operations Management, or related field
• +7 years of progressive leadership experience in complex, discrete manufacturing environments. Automotive industry experience a plus.
• Experience in Union manufacturing environments is highly preferred
• Proven track record leading multi-functional operations teams (production, engineering, maintenance)
• Demonstrated experience driving safety performance, operational stability, and productivity improvements.
• Experience operating in fast-paced, high-demand environments with variable production cycles
• This is an on-site position located near Akron, OH. Relocation will be provided for a non-local hire.