Director of Operations

Woodward, Inc.; Greer (SC); On-site; USD 173,000 - 242,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match (4.5%)

Annual Woodward stock contribution (5%

Tuition reimbursement and Training/Pro

12 paid holidays

Medical, dental, and vision Insurance

Vacation / Sick Time / Short Term Dis

Paid parental leave

Adoption Assistance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Woodward, Inc. in Greer, SC seeks an experienced Operations Director to drive strategy and translate it into actionable plans. You will lead senior operations leaders, align departments to performance targets, and ensure customer satisfaction while managing budgets.

This role requires strong financial management, strategic problem solving, and a Lean mindset. You will optimize production systems, monitor KPIs, and foster cross-functional collaboration to deliver operational excellence in a

Qualifications

• Experience leading senior operations teams and driving strategic execution.
• Strong financial planning, budgeting, and cost control capabilities.
• Proven ability to improve safety, quality, delivery and efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Strategy Execution: Develops and implements operational plans aligned with the company’s strategic goals to ensure customer satisfaction and achievement of performance and financial targets.
• Leadership: Leads and mentors operational leadership teams, fostering a high performance culture and ensuring effective execution of departmental objectives.
• Financial Management: Accountable for budgeting, financial and resource forecasting and allocation to drive financial performance and operational efficiency.
• Performance Management: Conducts performance appraisals, manages talent development, succession planning and implements recognition and reward systems to enhance employee performance and engagement.
• Strategic Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves complex operational challenges using advanced critical thinking skills to maintain and improve business operations.

Skills

Leadership

Strategy Execution

Financial Management

Performance Management

Strategic Problem Solving

Lean Mindset

Production System

Computer Skills

Emotional Intelligence

Collaboration

Communication

Time Management

Problem Solving

Tools

Excel

Power BI

ERP systems

MRP systems

Job description

Woodward is committed to creating a great workplace for all team members. Our company and its members are committed to acting with integrity, being respectful and accountable to one another, and staying humble and driven, while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards.

We are steadfastly committed to attracting the best talent across our communities, creating a rewarding workplace. Together we are fulfilling our purpose to design and deliver energy control solutions our partners count on to power a clean future.

Woodward supports our members’ wellbeing and regularly benchmarks with other companies in our industry to offer an extensive Total Reward package for this position. Salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

• Preferred Candidate Identified*
• Estimated annual base pay: $173,000(minimum) - $207,000(midpoint) - $242,000(maximum)

All Levels are eligible for the benefits below:

• All members included in annual cash bonus opportunity.


• 401(k) match (4.5%)


• Annual Woodward stock contribution (5%)


• Tuition reimbursement and Training/Professional Development opportunities for all members


• 12 paid holidays


• Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance upon date of hire


• Vacation / Sick Time / Vacation Buy-up / Short Term Disability / Bereavement leave.


• Paid parental leave.


• Adoption Assistance


• Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits.


• Member Life & AD&D / Long Term Disability / Member Optional Life


• Member referral bonus


• Spouse / Child Optional Life / Optional AD&D / Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending


• Voluntary benefits, including:




• Home / Auto Insurance discounts


• Whole Life Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance / Legal Assistance / Military Leave

Are you ready to make your mark? If you’re an Operations Director, we have an exciting opportunity for you.

What You Will Be Doing

• Strategy Execution: Develops and implements operational plans aligned with the company’s strategic goals to ensure customer satisfaction and achievement of performance and financial targets.


• Leadership: Leads and mentors operational leadership teams, fostering a high performance culture and ensuring effective execution of departmental objectives.


• Financial Management: Accountable for budgeting, financial and resource forecasting and allocation to drive financial performance and operational efficiency.


• Performance Management: Conducts performance appraisals, manages talent development, succession planning and implements recognition and reward systems to enhance employee performance and engagement.


• Strategic Problem Solving: Identifies and resolves complex operational challenges using advanced critical thinking skills to maintain and improve business operations.

What We Are Looking For

• Leadership: The ability to guide, motivate, and inspire senior leaders, managers, and multiple departments to achieve organizational objectives by aligning strategic priorities, optimizing resources, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and driving accountability across all levels of the organization. Focusing on delivering long-term operational excellence while cultivating a culture of innovation, efficiency, and high performance.


• Critical Thinking, Problem Solving: Involve analyzing complex challenges, leveraging data-driven insights, and developing strategic, scalable solutions to optimize efficiency and drive organizational success. This includes anticipating risks, resolving large-scale operational issues, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring alignment with long-term business goals.


• Operations Management: proficient in leading and inspiring cross-functional teams to optimize performance and achieve organizational targets in safety, quality, delivery, and cost. They possess expertise in monitoring and managing financial performance at a strategic level, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control across the entire operational landscape. By aligning team efforts with organizational objectives, they ensure sustainable growth and operational excellence.


• Communication: Involves effectively conveying strategic goals, aligning cross-functional teams, and ensuring clarity across all levels of the organization. This includes delivering updates to senior leadership, providing guidance to managers, and fostering collaboration between departments. Must balance transparency, active listening, and adaptability to drive engagement, resolve conflicts, and ensure alignment on organizational priorities.


• Time Management: excels in time management by identifying critical organizational tasks, prioritizing strategic initiatives, and allocating time and resources to maximize efficiency across all departments. They balance urgent operational demands, such as meeting production and delivery targets, with long-term improvement initiatives that drive scalability and growth. By effectively managing competing priorities, they maintain high standards of quality, safety, and performance while ensuring alignment with the company’s overarching goals.


• Lean Mindset: Mastery with 5S, Visual Management, Standardized Work, Daily Management Systems, Flow / Pull, Value Stream Mapping and Improvement through Kaizen.


• Production System: Involves strategically designing, optimizing, and overseeing production processes to ensure efficiency, quality, and scalability. This includes leveraging technology, monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), and fostering cross-functional collaboration to streamline operations and meet organizational goals. By aligning processes with business objectives and ensuring adaptability to changing demands, the Director ensures a high-performing and efficient production system that drives operational excellence.


• Computer Skills: Advanced computer skills, including proficiency in Excel, Power BI for creating operational reports and analyzing data to identify trends and improvement opportunities. They must be adept at using ERP systems to manage workflows and resources, as well as possess a user-level understanding of MRP systems for inventory and production scheduling. Additionally, they leverage automation tools and supply chain software to optimize operations, enhance scalability, and improve cross-functional collaboration.


• Emotional Intelligence: Involves self-awareness, self-management, empathy, and strong interpersonal skills to lead effectively across all levels of the organization. They remain composed under pressure, build trust through active listening and clear communication, and foster collaboration by understanding and addressing the needs and emotions of their teams. By creating an inclusive, supportive environment, they inspire and motivate employees while resolving conflicts and driving organizational alignment and success.


• Collaboration: Involves strategic alignment and coordination across all departments and leadership teams to drive organizational goals, optimize processes, and ensure operational excellence. This includes overseeing cross-functional initiatives, fostering communication between senior leaders and teams, managing external partnerships, and making data-driven decisions to enhance efficiency, scalability, and long-term business success.

This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be U.S. Persons within the meaning of the ITAR and EAR, or eligible to obtain all required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident (i.e., 'Green Card holder'), or a protected person (e.g., asylee, or refugee).

Woodward is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local laws.