Director of Operations

ODL, Inc.; Zeeland (MI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

ODL in Zeeland, Michigan seeks a Director of Operations to lead all manufacturing operations at its headquarters plant. The role drives safety, quality, cost, and on-time delivery while pushing margin improvement and strong customer relationships.

The successful candidate will align production with demand, manage capital projects, and leverage automation and data insights across the plant. A commercial mindset and innovative problem-solving approach are essential.

Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor's in Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years manufacturing experience, with 5+ in plant leadership and P&L responsibility.
• Proven track record in safety, quality, delivery, and cost improvements.
• Creative problem-solver with strong commercial sense and customer engagement.
• Lean and continuous improvement experience; strong technology and data aptitude.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Zeeland, MI plant P&L and drive year-over-year margin improvement.
• Protect safety and achieve zero-injury culture and regulatory compliance.
• Own quality, on-time delivery, and cost performance; optimize capacity and recovery plans.
• Collaborate across Supply Chain, Finance, Sales, and Engineering to align production with demand and priorities.
• Lead lean initiatives, capital projects, and AI-driven productivity improvements.

Skills

Plant leadership

P&L responsibility

Lean manufacturing

Cross-functional collaboration

AI analytics

Financial acumen

Safety culture

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

MBA (preferred)

Tools

ERP systems

Data analytics tools

Job description

The Director of Operations leads all manufacturing operations at ODL's Zeeland, Michigan headquarters plant. This leader delivers safety, quality, cost, and on-time delivery, drives year-over-year margin improvement, and supports strong customer relationships. The role requires a commercial mindset and a creative approach to problem solving: understanding customer needs, the economics of the business, and how plant decisions affect revenue and margin.

Impact You'll Drive

• Safety: Drive a zero-injury culture and ensure compliance with all safety and regulatory requirements.
• Quality: Own quality performance at the plant, including first-pass yield, scrap, and PPM. Create a culture of quality where every employee takes ownership of getting it right the first time.
• On-Time Delivery: Own On-Time Delivery Performance as a top priority. Drive schedule adherence, capacity planning, and recovery plans so commitments to customers are met consistently.
• Customer Support: Support key customer relationships by participating in plant visits and business reviews, and by helping resolve service or quality issues when needed.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Supply Chain, Finance, Sales, and Engineering to align production with demand, cost, and product and process priorities.
• Commercial Partnership: Align production with demand, pricing, and margin goals. Weigh product mix, capacity, and cost-to-serve tradeoffs from a business perspective.
• Plant Performance: Deliver the plant P&L and drive year-over-year margin improvement through productivity, yield, scrap reduction, and conversion cost.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead lean initiatives and capital projects that reduce waste, improve OEE, and increase capacity.
• Technology Leverage: Leverage technology, automation, and data across the plant to improve visibility, productivity, and decision making. Serve as an AI champion, identifying and driving practical AI use cases and building adoption across the plant.
• People Leadership: Develop plant talent at all levels, from hourly team members to plant leaders. Build succession depth and foster accountability and engagement across shifts.

What sets you up for success

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field.
• 10+ years of manufacturing experience, including 5+ in plant leadership with P&L responsibility.
• Track record of improving safety, quality, delivery performance, and cost.
• Demonstrated creative thinker who finds new solutions to operational and commercial challenges.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with comfort engaging with customers.
• Lean and continuous improvement experience.
• Ability to lead large, multi-shift teams.
• Proven ability to leverage technology, automation, and data across a plant to improve productivity, quality, and decision making.
• Proven ability to collaborate across functions, including Supply Chain, Finance, Sales, and Engineering.
• Shift First Shift (United States of America)

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or advanced degree.
• Experience in building products, glass, fenestration, or similar discrete manufacturing.
• Experience applying AI or advanced analytics in a manufacturing environment.

OUR HISTORY

A Foundation Customers Trust With a heritage of creating products for the home that dates back to 1945, ODL remains synonymous with stability, quality, and confidence. Yet, after more than 75 years, we feel our best days are ahead of us. Thanks to our exceptional portfolio of entry doors and doorlights, the industry’s leading lineup of enclosed blinds, and an expanding international presence, the opportunities are limitless. Family-owned and privately operated, we aim to build upon what’s made us successful through the years: a culture of treating people well, coupled with constant innovation.