Director of Operations (51222)

Gradian Thermal Solutions; Dayton (AL); On-site; USD 175,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Vision and dental insurance

Disability insurance

Group term life insurance

HSA/FSA programs

PTO and holidays

401(k) matching

Company events

Safety shoe allowance

Education assistance

Job summary

Gradian Thermal Solutions seeks an experienced Operations Director to launch a new manufacturing site and transform existing operations. You will drive a safe startup, build a high-performing team, and execute rapid growth with a focus on SQDCC performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and cash.

You will develop and implement SOPs, establish visual KPIs, and lead cross-functional collaboration with engineering, supply chain, and quality to ensure on-time delivery and sustainable

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing or operations.
• 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Experience leading greenfield site startup or major operational launches.
• Experience transforming legacy operations into structured environments.
• Strong Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence expertise.
• Deep knowledge of SQDCC (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Cash) performance management.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end startup of a greenfield manufacturing facility with on-time commissioning and ramp-up.
• Transform existing operations into a scalable, process-driven environment.
• Own SQDCC performance with KPIs and daily management routines.
• Build and lead a high-performing operations team through coaching and development.
• Plan aggressive capacity ramp-ups and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enable growth.
• Drive continuous improvement, waste reduction, and cost performance.

Skills

Leadership

Lean manufacturing

Operational excellence

SQDCC

Change management

Data-driven

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Job Details

• Level: Management
• Job Location: Dayton Office - Dayton, MN 55369
• Education Level: 4 Year Degree
• Salary Range: $175,000.00 - $225,000.00 Salary/year

Gradian is an engineering-led, full-line thermal solutions partner serving data center and other mission-critical, commercial, and industrial markets. Headquartered in Maple Grove, MN, with additional facilities across North America, we design and manufacture liquid cooling systems, air handling equipment, heat rejection units, and modular, factory-assembled thermal management solutions. Gradian was founded through the unification of four complementary, established brands: MAS HVAC, Daedex, DeepCoolAI, and EcoChillers. Together, we act as a single-source provider, deploying cooling technologies as scalable systems optimized for efficiency, spatial constraints, and overall performance. With a vertically integrated engineering and manufacturing model, we pair rapid design turnaround with precision fabrication, so customers can move faster on complex projects where reliability, timeline, and quality all matter.

Why work here

At Gradian, you'll work alongside others who get genuinely fired up by complex problems, see your work go from first sketch to job site in weeks, not years, and know that while we're developing the technologies critical for AI infrastructure to scale, our culture remains people-first by design. It is core to our identity that we operate as one team — driving to win together, energizing others, and building lasting relationships that make the work fun and rewarding.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly driven and experienced Operations Director to lead the successful launch of a greenfield manufacturing site while simultaneously driving the transformation and scaling of the existing operation. This role is critical to delivering a safe, on-time startup, building a high-performing team, and executing a rapid growth and capacity expansion strategy. The ideal candidate combines startup expertise, operational excellence, and transformation leadership, with a strong focus on SQDCC (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Cash) performance. This leader will play a pivotal role in building systems, culture, and processes to support sustainable growth and continuous improvement across both new and legacy operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Greenfield Site Startup
  • Lead the end-to-end startup of a new manufacturing facility, ensuring on-time commissioning and ramp-up.
  • Develop and execute detailed startup plans, including equipment installation, validation, and operational readiness.
  • Implement and establish standard operating procedures (SOPs), workflows, and performance management systems from the ground up.
  • Ensure full compliance with safety, regulatory, and quality standards prior to and during launch.
• Transformation of Existing Operations
  • Assess and transform a previously privately held operation into a scalable, process-driven manufacturing environment.
  • Standardize processes, improve operational discipline, and drive alignment with corporate performance expectations.
  • Identify and implement improvements in efficiency, quality, cost management, and delivery performance.
• SQDCC Performance Leadership
  • Own and deliver performance across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, and Cash metrics.
  • Establish visual management systems, KPIs, and daily management routines.
  • Drive a zero-harm safety culture and embed quality at the source principles.
  • Ensure on-time delivery through effective planning, scheduling, and execution.
• Team Building & Organizational Development
  • Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing operations team, including supervisors, engineers, and frontline employees.
  • Build organizational capability through training, coaching, and leadership development.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Capacity Ramps & Growth Execution
  • Plan and execute aggressive capacity ramp-ups to meet business growth targets.
  • Optimize resource allocation, production planning, and workforce scaling.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality) to enable seamless growth.
• Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
  • Champion Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives (e.g., Kaizen, Six Sigma, 5S).
  • Drive waste reduction, productivity gains, and process optimization.
  • Implement best practices and ensure sustainability of improvements.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Required:15+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing or operations, with at least 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record of greenfield site startup or major operational launches.
• Experience transforming or integrating legacy or privately held operations into structured environments.
• Demonstrated success in fast-paced, high-growth environments.
• Strong expertise in Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Deep knowledge of SQDCC performance management systems.
• Exceptional leadership, team-building, and change management capabilities.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a data-driven mindset.
• Ability to manage complexity, ambiguity, and competing priorities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field (MBA preferred).

Key Success Metrics

• On-time and successful launch of greenfield facility.
• Achievement and sustainability of SQDCC targets.
• Effective ramp-up of production capacity to meet growth plans.
• Measurable improvements in operational efficiency and cost performance.
• Development of a high-performing, engaged operations team.

Benefits

• Medical, vision, and dental plans
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Group term life insurance coverage
• HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care plans available
• 8 paid holidays, 4 floating holidays, and generous PTO policy
• 401k matching
• Company paid events
• Annual safety shoe allowance
• Education assistance program

EEO Statement

Gradian Thermal Solutions is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other legally protected status. Employment decisions at Gradian are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind and actively promote a culture of fairness, equity, and opportunity. We also provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances, in accordance with applicable laws.