Director of Operations

L.A. Darling Company LLC; Paragould (AR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Marmon is seeking an experienced Director of Operations to lead all manufacturing and operational activities at our LA Darling facility. This strategic role drives safety, quality, delivery, productivity, profitability, and employee engagement while supporting growth and customer satisfaction.

You will oversee manufacturing, planning, logistics, maintenance, and operational excellence initiatives, partnering with engineering, quality, supply chain, finance, HR, and sales to achieve site and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, or related field is required.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years in progressive manufacturing or operations leadership.
• Experience leading multiple functions and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead all manufacturing and operational functions to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations.
• Develop and execute operational strategies to support growth, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
• Drive improvements in safety, quality, productivity, and delivery performance.
• Lead production planning, scheduling, inventory management, logistics, and material flow.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Establish and monitor KPIs and accountability for results.
• Lead budgeting, cost control, capital investments, and productivity improvements.
• Partner cross-functionally to resolve challenges and achieve business goals.
• Build, develop, and coach a high-performing operations leadership team.

Skills

Manufacturing operations

Lean manufacturing

Operational excellence

Cross-functional leadership

KPI management

Budgeting / cost control

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering / Operations Management / Supply Chain / Business

MBA or advanced degree preferred

Tools

ERP software

Manufacturing planning tools

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Director of Operations to lead all manufacturing and operational activities within our LA Darling facility. This strategic leadership role is responsible for driving safety, quality, delivery, productivity, profitability, and employee engagement while supporting business growth and customer satisfaction. As a key member of the leadership team, you will oversee manufacturing, planning, logistics, maintenance, and operational excellence initiatives while partnering closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, Human Resources, and Sales to achieve site and company objectives.

What You'll Do

• Lead all manufacturing and operational functions to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations.
• Develop and execute operational strategies that support business growth, profitability, and customer satisfaction.
• Drive improvements in safety, quality, productivity, delivery performance, and operational efficiency.
• Lead production planning, scheduling, inventory management, logistics, and material flow to meet customer demand.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Operational Excellence initiatives.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and ensure accountability for operational results.
• Lead budgeting, cost control, capital investments, and productivity improvement efforts.
• Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Finance, HR, and Sales to resolve challenges and achieve business goals.
• Build, develop, and coach a high-performing operations leadership team.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

What We're Looking For

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field required.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Experience

• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing or operations leadership experience.
• 5+ years leading leaders and multiple operational functions in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven success driving improvements in safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost performance.
• Experience leading strategic planning, budgeting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence business outcomes.

Skills & Expertise

• Strong knowledge of manufacturing operations, production planning, inventory management, logistics, and maintenance.
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, and Continuous Improvement programs.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets and operational performance metrics.
• Expertise in KPI management, root cause analysis, and data-driven decision-making.
• Experience with ERP and manufacturing planning systems.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on a growing manufacturing organization. You'll play a key role in shaping operational strategy, developing talent, driving continuous improvement, and delivering results that support long-term business success.

Following receipt of a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete additional job-related screening processes as permitted or required by applicable law.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to their membership in any protected class.

If you require any reasonable accommodation to complete your application or any part of the recruiting process, please email your request to [e-mail], and please be sure to include the title and the location of the position for which you are applying.

Welcome to the biggest small business you’ll ever find.

Part of Berkshire Hathaway, Marmon is a global industrial organization made of 11 industry groups with 30K employees and $12 billion in annual revenue. As leaders in their respective industries, our 120+ companies thrive on an independent mindset and entrepreneurial spirit. At the same time, they benefit from being part of our industry groups-where they're able to tap into the expertise and insights of other Marmon companies. While we're all unique, we all share a common commitment to doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. When you work at Marmon, you're advancing our everyday world and beyond. Our engineering solutions help millions around the world stay connected, healthy, and safe. Wherever you're at in your career, our people and resources will help you go further. As you grow your skills, you can also move up and around our 120+ companies. Work at a place you can stand behind. We show up to win every day, uphold the highest ethical standards, and always look to put each other in the best position to win.