Director of Operations

CiresiMorek; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

CiresiMorek is seeking a Senior Manufacturing Operations Leader in Cedar Rapids, IA to provide strategic and operational leadership for a complex manufacturing organization. The role ensures safe, reliable, and cost-effective performance while balancing daily execution with long-term improvement initiatives.

The candidate will drive throughput, asset utilization, and customer service, develop leadership pipelines, and partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, and Commercial

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing operations leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing operations with accountability for safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, and overall performance
• Establish operating priorities and performance expectations that improve throughput, asset utilization, reliability, and customer service
• Build a strong leadership pipeline through coaching, succession planning, workforce development, and clear accountability
• Drive continuous improvement through structured problem-solving, standard work, performance management, and disciplined execution
• Partner across Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, and Commercial functions to address constraints and support business objectives
• Develop operating, capacity, and capital plans that strengthen long-term competitiveness while maintaining strong execution against near-term commitments

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related discipline

Job description

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or related discipline
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing operations leadership experience

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience leading multiple departments, operating areas, or locations
• Background working within a union manufacturing environment

The successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership for a complex manufacturing organization with responsibility for delivering safe, reliable, and cost-effective performance. This leader will balance daily execution with longer-term improvement initiatives, ensuring the organization has the people, processes, and equipment necessary to meet evolving business requirements.

Responsibilities:

• Lead manufacturing operations with accountability for safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, and overall performance
• Establish operating priorities and performance expectations that improve throughput, asset utilization, reliability, and customer service
• Build a strong leadership pipeline through coaching, succession planning, workforce development, and clear accountability
• Drive continuous improvement through structured problem-solving, standard work, performance management, and disciplined execution
• Partner across Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, and Commercial functions to address constraints and support business objectives
• Develop operating, capacity, and capital plans that strengthen long-term competitiveness while maintaining strong execution against near-term commitments

CiresiMorek is a team of experienced industry professionals known for a hands-on, relationship-driven approach. Having completed 3,500+ searches, we are more than just headhunters; we are industry advisors behind every successful placement.