Director of Operations

Movement Search & Delivery; Athol (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Movement Search & Delivery in Athol, MA, seeks a Director of Operations to lead manufacturing, production, and distribution. This senior role blends strategic direction with cross-functional accountability to drive performance, quality, and continuous improvement.

You will align personnel, capital resources, budgets, and regulatory compliance with company objectives to deliver measurable, sustainable results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing or operations leadership experience.
• Experience in a regulated or precision manufacturing environment is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain manufacturing operations plans including requirements, labor hours, cycle times, and production costs.
• Coordinate production, distribution, warehousing, and sales activities aligned with leadership policies.
• Monitor quality and production issues, directing teams to resolve them promptly.
• Review costs, product quality, and operations reports; drive problem resolution to minimize costs and delays.
• Develop capacity strategies to support sales growth and business objectives.
• Participate in annual planning, budgeting, and strategic processes.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

Excel proficiency

ERP/MES familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP systems

MES systems

Job description

The Director of Operations at Client is a senior leader responsible for overseeing all manufacturing, production, and distribution activities at the Athol, Massachusetts facility. This role combines high-level strategic direction with cross-functional operational accountability, driving performance, quality, and continuous improvement across the organization.

The Director of Operations ensures that all operational functions—from personnel and capital resources to budgets and regulatory compliance—are aligned with company-wide objectives and deliver measurable, sustainable results.

Detailed Description

Operations & Production Management

• Develop and maintain manufacturing operations business plans encompassing program requirements, labor hours, cycle times, production costs, and facility image.
• Coordinate production, distribution, warehousing, and sales activities in alignment with policies and procedures established by organizational leadership.
• Maintain operational visibility across all production functions, proactively identifying systemic quality or production issues and directing supervisory teams to resolve them before they escalated.
• Review production costs, product quality, and operational reports; direct the resolution of manufacturing and maintenance problems to minimize costs and prevent delays.
• Develop plans for efficient utilization of materials, machines, and personnel.
• Coordinate manufacturing activities with all organizational functions and suppliers to optimize production and human resource utilization.
• Develop capacity strategies, implementation plans, and programs to support the company's sales plan and growth objectives.
• Participate in annual planning, budget development, and strategic planning processes, including vision, mission, values, and desired culture.
• Provide input into product strategy, research, and development of new and emerging products.
• Review competitor operations and direct sales programs to identify and develop new markets.
• Continually develop and improve operational metrics that support company objectives without adding unnecessary bureaucracy.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Establish and maintain production and quality control standards; develop budget and cost controls.
• Ensure all established cost, quality, and delivery commitments are consistently met.
• Monitor all safety issues with the goal of identifying root causes and eliminating risk.
• Abide by and enforce all safety and quality system requirements; participate in contract review processes.
• Ensure all employees receive required training; develop new training processes as operational needs evolve.

People & Organization

• Determine responsibilities of assigned organizational units and staff positions to accomplish business objectives.
• Train and ensure all assigned employees are aware of and compliant with company, government, and customer policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Support and assist in the development of job planning processes and facility capacity strategies to meet growth demands.
• Provide clear feedback, promote effective communication across all levels, and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Facilities & Equipment

• Provide guidance on manufacturing process planning, including personnel requirements, material needs, subcontract requirements, facility needs, and tooling and equipment.
• Support and assist strategies and programs for facility capacity, equipment maintenance, and long-term infrastructure planning.
• Perform administrative activities associated with effective shop operations management, including compiling, storing, and retrieving production data for reporting.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university required.
• Minimum of five years of progressive manufacturing or operations leadership experience; previous plant or operations management experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in a regulated or precision manufacturing environment is a significant advantage.

Leadership & Business Acumen

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive accountability at all levels of the organization.
• Strong understanding of business implications of operational decisions; demonstrated orientation toward profitability and strategic alignment.
• Ability to respond promptly to customer needs, solicit feedback, and consistently meet commitments.

Analytical & Technical

• Ability to work with mathematical concepts including probability, statistical inference, plane and solid geometry, and trigonometry, and to apply them to practical production scenarios.
• Ability to solve complex practical problems involving multiple variables in dynamic, fast-paced environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel; familiarity with ERP or MES systems preferred.

Communication

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business periodicals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to write operational reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

This position operates in both an office and active manufacturing shop environment. The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and move throughout the facility. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.