Director of Operations

Kalwall Enterprises Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Apogee Architectural Metals is recruiting a Director of Operations to oversee three manufacturing facilities in Manchester, NH, reporting to the VP General Manager. You will lead production, engineering, quality, maintenance, and sourcing to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost goals.

This role requires a strong Lean background, financial acumen, and experience guiding cross-functional teams in high-mix environments. Onsite leadership and travel across facilities are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field.
• MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of manufacturing leadership experience.
• Experience in architectural products, custom manufacturing, or specification-driven industries preferred.
• Proven success improving operational performance in high-mix, variable-volume environments.
• Experience leading plant managers and cross-functional technical teams.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, capital planning, and manufacturing cost analysis.
• Demonstrated success implementing Lean or another structured operating system.
• Experience leading ERP implementation and process standardization (preferred).
• Strong change-management, communication, and executive-influencing capabilities.
• Ability to travel regularly among manufacturing facilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing operations across three facilities, ensuring alignment with business objectives, customer commitments, and financial goals.
• Drive a world-class safety culture focused on employee engagement, risk reduction, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and execute manufacturing strategies that improve operational performance, capacity utilization, productivity, quality, and profitability.
• Ensure consistent execution of safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives while meeting customer and project requirements.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts through Lean manufacturing principles, process optimization, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Partner with engineering teams to improve manufacturability, support product innovation, and enhance production processes.
• Develop capital investment strategies and oversee major projects that improve productivity, capacity, quality, and operational capability.
• Provide leadership for production, manufacturing engineering, quality, maintenance, and sourcing functions.
• Build high-performing teams through succession planning, leadership development, workforce planning, and talent management.
• Lead organizational and operational change initiatives, including business integration, process standardization, and technology adoption.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Budgeting & forecasting

ERP implementation

Cross-functional leadership

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Manufacturing

MBA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Company Overview

Kalwall Enterprises Inc. On July 1, 2026, Apogee completed the acquisition of Kalwall Enterprises, a vertically integrated manufacturer of high-performance translucent daylighting solutions, based in Manchester, New Hampshire. Kalwall Enterprises is currently being integrated into the Architectural Glass segment in Apogee. This position is based onsite at Kalwall Enterprises in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Position Summary

Reporting to the VP General Manager, the Director of Operations provides leadership for three manufacturing facilities and their respective plant leadership teams. This position has responsibility for operating budgets, capital planning, workforce utilization, and achievement of safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity objectives. The Director of Operations leads operations across three manufacturing facilities producing architectural building products, including both standard and customized solutions. The Director provides leadership across production, manufacturing engineering, quality, maintenance, and sourcing, aligning operations with customer specifications, project timelines, and business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing operations across three facilities, ensuring alignment with business objectives, customer commitments, and financial goals.
• Drive a world-class safety culture focused on employee engagement, risk reduction, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and execute manufacturing strategies that improve operational performance, capacity utilization, productivity, quality, and profitability.
• Ensure consistent execution of safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives while meeting customer and project requirements.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts through Lean manufacturing principles, process optimization, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Partner with engineering teams to improve manufacturability, support product innovation, and enhance production processes.
• Develop capital investment strategies and oversee major projects that improve productivity, capacity, quality, and operational capability.
• Provide leadership for production, manufacturing engineering, quality, maintenance, and sourcing functions.
• Build high-performing teams through succession planning, leadership development, workforce planning, and talent management.
• Lead organizational and operational change initiatives, including business integration, process standardization, and technology adoption.

Key Metrics

• Safety: Incident rates, near misses, audits
• Quality: Defects, rework, warranty claims
• Delivery: OTIF, lead time accuracy, schedule adherence
• Cost: Labor productivity, material yield, cost per unit
• Operations: Throughput, cycle time, uptime

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or related field (MBA preferred). Minimum of 10 years of manufacturing leadership experience. Preferred experience working in a make-to-order environment. Experience in architectural products, custom manufacturing, or specification-driven industries preferred. Proven success in improving operational performance in high-mix, variable-volume environments. Experience leading plant managers and cross-functional technical teams. Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, capital planning, and manufacturing cost analysis. Demonstrated success implementing Lean or another structured operating system. Experience leading ERP implementation and process standardization (preferred) Strong change-management, communication, and executive-influencing capabilities. Ability to travel regularly among manufacturing facilities.

Leadership Profile

Customer-focused, with strong appreciation for design intent and product quality. Results-driven, hands-on leader with strong operational discipline. Collaborative and adaptable in dynamic, project-based environments. Committed to continuous improvement and team development.

Benefits

We care about and invest in our employees. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their well-being and foster professional development. Here is a glimpse of what you can look forward to if you join our team.

• Competitive Benefits Package for employees and their dependents (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability)
• Incentive Plans
• 401(k) with employer contribution and match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with employer match
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick Time)
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness Program
• Training and Career Progression

Equal Opportunity Employer

Apogee and our brands are an Equal Opportunity Employer. By definition, Apogee means "highest point." It's no coincidence that it's also the name of our company. For over 70 years it is a name that has inspired and driven us to achieve a higher level of excellence in all we do. We are not satisfied with the status quo. We aim higher, think bigger, and endeavor to create even more value for every Apogee stakeholder. We strive to create peak value. Apogee is a leader in architectural products and services. Our glass and aluminum window, storefront and curtainwall systems make buildings look great, reduce energy consumption, and protect occupants and property. Our highly skilled team designs glass and metal building façades, completes massive orders for skyscrapers on time, and manages complex window, curtainwall and storefront installation projects. We are also a leader in the protection and conservation of all things framed and displayed. Our Tru Vue business provides high-performance glass and acrylic products for the custom framing, fine art, and technical glass markets. Apogee Enterprises, Inc. and our brands are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will received consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.