Director of Operations

CiresiMorek; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

CiresiMorek in Knoxville, TN seeks a senior manufacturing operations leader who will provide strategic and operational leadership for a complex manufacturing organization. You will balance daily execution with long-term improvement initiatives, ensuring the organization has the people, processes, and equipment to meet evolving business needs.

The role requires leading safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost targets, while building leadership capability, driving continuous improvement,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing operations leadership experience.
• Experience leading multiple departments, operating areas, or locations.
• Background working within a union manufacturing environment.

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

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic operations planning

Union experience

Education

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

Job description

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, or a 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