Director of Operations

Vaco by Highspring; Grove City (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco is seeking a Director of Operations to oversee production activities, drive operational performance, and lead continuous improvement initiatives in a specialized manufacturing environment. The role requires strategic and hands-on leadership across operations, focusing on efficiency, quality, safety, cost management, and team development.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive manufacturing leadership experience, with a proven ability to implement Lean principles, improve processes, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• 5+ years in a custom, complex, or specialized manufacturing environment preferred.
• Lean manufacturing principles and CI methodologies experience.
• Experience managing budgets, labor costs, and operational expenses.
• Proven ability to mentor and develop managers and supervisors.
• Experience driving organizational change and improving processes.
• Understanding of manufacturing operations, production planning, quality, and safety.
• Experience partnering with Engineering, Supply Chain, and other departments.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across manufacturing departments and align activities with goals.
• Lead and develop production managers, supervisors, and personnel with clear expectations and accountability.
• Oversee daily manufacturing operations, including planning, scheduling, workflow, and resource allocation.
• Drive Lean and CI initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
• Establish and monitor metrics for productivity, quality, safety, cost, and delivery.
• Manage budgets, direct labor, overhead, and other expenses to support profitability.
• Lead initiatives to improve processes and production capabilities; resolve challenges.
• Promote workplace safety and ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental requirements.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Supply Chain, Materials, and other departments to improve coordination.
• Apply root cause analysis and corrective actions to recurring issues.
• Assess staffing and training needs to support current and future production.
• Lead change management and implement new processes and systems.
• Partner with senior leadership on strategic planning and priorities.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Continuous improvement

Leadership

Production planning

Budget management

Safety & compliance

Cross-functional leadership

ERP/MRP

Data-driven decisions

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

A specialized manufacturing organization is seeking a Director of Operations to oversee production activities, drive operational performance, and lead continuous improvement initiatives. This position will provide strategic and hands-on leadership across manufacturing operations, with responsibility for production efficiency, quality, safety, cost management, and team development.

The ideal candidate brings extensive manufacturing leadership experience, preferably within a custom or complex production environment, along with a demonstrated ability to implement Lean manufacturing principles, improve operational processes, and develop high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

A specialized manufacturing organization is seeking a Director of Operations to oversee production activities, drive operational performance, and lead continuous improvement initiatives. This position will provide strategic and hands-on leadership across manufacturing operations, with responsibility for production efficiency, quality, safety, cost management, and team development.

The ideal candidate brings extensive manufacturing leadership experience, preferably within a custom or complex production environment, along with a demonstrated ability to implement Lean manufacturing principles, improve operational processes, and develop high-performing teams.

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across manufacturing departments, ensuring production activities align with organizational goals and performance expectations.
• Lead and develop production managers, supervisors, and manufacturing personnel, establishing clear expectations and promoting accountability.
• Oversee daily manufacturing operations, including production planning, scheduling, workflow management, and resource allocation.
• Drive Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance overall operational performance.
• Establish and monitor operational performance metrics related to productivity, quality, safety, cost, and delivery.
• Manage manufacturing budgets, direct labor costs, overhead expenses, and other operational expenditures to support profitability objectives.
• Lead initiatives to improve manufacturing processes, resolve operational challenges, and strengthen production capabilities.
• Promote a culture of workplace safety and ensure compliance with applicable health, safety, and environmental requirements.
• Partner with Engineering, Supply Chain, Materials, and other departments to improve coordination and address production challenges.
• Apply root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies to resolve recurring operational issues.
• Evaluate staffing needs, workforce capabilities, and training opportunities to support current and future production requirements.
• Lead change management efforts and support the implementation of new processes, systems, and operational improvements.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic planning, operational priorities, and long-term business objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including responsibility for managing production teams and operational performance.
• 5+ years of experience within a custom, complex, or specialized manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success implementing Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience managing manufacturing budgets, labor costs, operational expenses, and other financial performance measures.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop managers, supervisors, and production personnel.
• Experience driving organizational change, improving production processes, and implementing operational efficiencies.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing operations, production planning, quality management, and workplace safety requirements.
• Experience partnering with Engineering, Supply Chain, and other operational departments to resolve complex production challenges.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound decisions in fast-paced environments.
• Effective communication and leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to build collaborative, high-performing teams.

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening, and resume dispersal.

For residents of Ontario, Canada only: to the extent the position for employment is not with Highspring or not otherwise noted as vacant above, candidate should be informed that this role is to replace a presently employed person at Vaco by Highspring's client.

Privacy Notice

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• · the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• · licensure and certification requirements;
• · office location and other geographic considerations; and
• · other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).