Director of Operations

Barry-Wehmiller Companies Inc.; Green Bay (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Barry-Wehmiller Companies Inc. seeks a Director of Operations for the Ashland Ave. site to lead manufacturing, materials, logistics and paint for a 200-member union operation. You will drive safety, quality, delivery, and cost KPIs while guiding continuous improvement and Lean transformation.

The role requires 15+ years in manufacturing, with 10+ in leadership, and a strong track record in change management and data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required (preferably in engineering); MBA or other advanced degree a plus.
• 15+ years in manufacturing with at least 10 years in a leadership position.
• Experience with Lean principles and tools (Daily Management, Process Mapping, problem-solving).
• Experience leading warehousing and logistics; union site experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic goals for optimization of material flow and continuous improvement.
• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of operational leaders across a 200-person site.
• Monitor SQDC metrics and manage costs with standard procedures and budgets.
• Collaborate with aftermarket sales on scope accuracy and financial targets.
• Align schedules with customer requirements, capacity, and production plans.
• Drive life cycle support initiatives and cross-functional alignment with other teams.

Skills

Lean principles

Change management

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

KPI definition & tracking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

MBA or advanced degree a plus

Job description

About Us

BW Converting is a strategic alliance of resources and services that bring together several Barry-Wehmiller companies — Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC), Winkler + Dünnebier (W+D), STAX Technologies, Hudson-Sharp, Baldwin Technologies and Northern Engraving and Machine. These industry leaders offer trusted brands and innovative technologies in the design, manufacture, and service of high-performance converting and packaging machinery for the tissue, nonwovens, hygiene, bag-converting, mailing, and printing industries. Barry-Wehmiller is a diversified global supplier of engineering consulting and manufacturing technology for the packaging, corrugating, sheeting and paper-converting industries. By blending people-centric leadership with disciplined operational strategies and purpose-driven growth, Barry-Wehmiller has become a $3 billion organization with nearly 12,000 team members united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world.

Job Description

The Director of Operations for our Ashland Ave. site is responsible for the planning and execution of all operational functions, including but not limited to manufacturing, assembly, materials, logistics and paint for this 200 Team Member union site. This leader is responsible for achieving site key performance indicators (KPIs) for safety, quality, performance, and financial targets.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Develop the strategic goals and objectives for optimization of material flow while driving for a continuous improvement, people-centric culture, in alignment with the organization’s overall vision and customer requirements. Lead, develop, and mentor a team of operational leaders while providing leadership for the entire site of 200 Team Members in a union shop. Monitor and drive improvements in Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC). Budget and manage costs by developing standard procedures that keep daily operational expenses within budget while continuing to focus on cost reduction measures. Manage the site financial metrics and prepare accurate monthly financial forecasts. Work directly in collaboration with aftermarket sales on project scope accuracy to ensure customer expectations are met and financial targets are achieved. Utilize processes such as NET risk assessment and the opportunity management system (OMS) to establish the best possible project outcome. Provide leadership needed to ensure effective utilization of Team Members and equipment. Ensure that project schedules are aligned with customer requirements, facility capabilities and internal capacity. Manage established manufacturing methods to ensure that quality standards and performance metrics are maintained. Implement strategies in alignment with strategic initiatives and provide a clear sense of direction and focus. Monitor daily operations and proactively take corrective action as needed. Work cross-functionally with other aftermarket leaders to implement Life Cycle Support initiatives and with new equipment leaders to stay aligned on commercial and new product development initiatives. Oversee the identification, prioritization, and execution of continuous improvement opportunities to drive step changes, increase overall operational effectiveness and support proactive and measurable process improvement results to ensure consistency and standardization of best practices and tools. Work with the Quality team and leaders to address QIRs with solid containment, root cause, and permanent corrective action. Align people, processes, measurements, standards, and efforts across disciplines with a primary focus on safety, delivery, quality, and cost. Grow and develop Team Members in alignment with corporate and divisional expectations. Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree required (preferably in engineering); MBA or other advanced degree a plus. A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in a manufacturing environment with at least 10 of those years in a leadership position. Previous knowledge and demonstrated application of Lean principles and tools, including Daily Management, Process Mapping, and problem-solving tools. Experience in organizing, planning, and executing large-scale projects from the envisioning and assessment stage to implementation. Experience working with senior leaders during times of organizational change and transformation. Proven experience defining KPIs, managing reporting, and showcasing data-driven results around overall business management. Strong change management skills with experience in leading change. Previous experience leading the Warehousing and Logistics functions. Previous experience working at a union site is preferred. Previous experience leading multiple functions (Planning, Mfg. Engineering, Purchasing, Logistics, Operations) a plus.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

Strong business knowledge with a proven ability to use communications to drive business strategy. Demonstrated organizational leadership for building a high-performing team that can drive results. Understands and uses Lean methodologies to drive improvements in SQDC. Excellent team building and change management skills, and the leadership skillset to recruit, train, coach, and mentor Team Members.

COMPETENCIES

Customer Focus – Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions. Instills Trust – Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Drives Results - Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances. Communicates Effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Optimizes Work Processes - Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. Drives Vision and Purpose – Painting a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivate others to action. Balances Stakeholders – Anticipating and balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders. Collaborates – Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. Plans and aligns – Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY

Provides leadership and direction to leaders and Team Members. The team has 200 total Team Members.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Typically sits, grasps items and performs keyboarding for frequent operation of a computer Stand, walk, bend, reach or otherwise move about occasionally Lift, move or otherwise transfer items up to 30 lbs. occasionally Occasional exposure to typical machine shop physical hazards Travel by air or car occasionally #LI‑EA

Company

Company: BW Converting

Equal Opportunities & Compliance

At Barry-Wehmiller we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work—therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process. Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify. Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments.

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