Director of Operations - Tooling

JANLER; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

JANLER is seeking a senior operations leader to oversee mold making, tooling, and engineering at our Chicago location, ensuring productivity, quality, and on-time delivery. You will direct multiple departments, manage budgets, and collaborate with customers and suppliers to meet specifications and commitments.

The role requires deep experience in engineering management, strong cost control, and a proven ability to develop teams while maintaining ISO quality standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Operations Management or equivalent.
• Minimum of 10 years in engineering, pricing, mold building and supervision, with specialized training in high-precision, plastic mold building.
• Knowledge of CAD/CAM desirable.
• Eight years progressively responsible experience in management, including management of professional and managerial staff.
• Working knowledge of ISO quality standards for injection molds/ machines.

Responsibilities

• Directs and manages overall Mold making Operation including Quality, Engineering, Purchasing and Production to maximize profitability and satisfy customer requirements.
• Establishes and maintains operating budget including payroll and purchasing.
• Confers with customers on designs, specifications and final approval of quotations and delivery to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Maintains a safe, productive, cooperative work environment and adherence to company policies.
• Provides for employee development and training to ensure a competitive workforce.
• Interface with VP of Tooling and Engineering regarding planning, budgets, operations and customer satisfaction; with management team to advise and coach regarding day-to-day production.
• Frequent contact with Sales Manager regarding pricing, deliveries, and pre-engineering product design/development.
• Daily contact with Customer Service regarding resolution of customer requests; with Engineering Department regarding budgeting, planning, systems and controls.
• Frequent contact with Controller regarding budgets, cash flow requirements, inventory issues, etc.
• Contact with Human Resources regarding recruitment, human resource policies and benefits.
• Frequent contact with customers in concert with engineering, purchasing, and senior management to resolve production problems and to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Frequent contact with supplier organizations’ sales staff to negotiate purchases; occasional contact with suppliers’ financial departments to negotiate rates and terms; and with customers’ technical support people to ensure an understanding of customer requirements.
• Perform other tasks as directed

Skills

Business Acumen

Change Management

Cost Consciousness

Delegation

Diversity

Ethics

Leadership

Managing People

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Operations Management or equivalent

Tools

CAD/CAM

Job description

SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for overseeing Uniphase’s organizational processes and operations in tooling and engineering at our Janler location to ensure productivity and quality.

AUTHORITY LEVEL:

Approves division purchases and expenditures within budgeted guidelines. Recommends purchase of capital equipment when necessary. Approves all customer purchase orders for Mold making Division. Recommends and/or approves hires, transfers, promotions and salary changes according to company guidelines.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directs and manages overall Mold making Operation including Quality, Engineering, Purchasing and Production to maximize profitability and satisfy customer requirements.
• Establishes and maintains operating budget including payroll and purchasing.
• Confers with customers on designs, specifications and final approval of quotations and delivery to ensure customer satisfaction. Approves all quotations and customer purchase orders, including final engineering changes and all repairs.
• Maintains a safe, productive, cooperative work environment and adherence to company policies.
• Provides for employee development and training to ensure a competitive workforce.
• Interface with VP of Tooling and Engineering regarding planning, budgets, operations and customer satisfaction; with management team (direct reports) to advise and coach regarding day-to-day production, and regular contact with employees at all levels to ensure a positive, productive working environment.
• Frequent contact with Sales Manager regarding pricing, deliveries, and pre-engineering product design/development.
• Daily contact with Customer Service regarding resolution of customer requests; with Engineering Department regarding budgeting, planning, systems and controls.
• Frequent contact with Controller regarding budgets, cash flow requirements, inventory issues, etc.
• Contact with Human Resources regarding recruitment, human resource policies and benefits.
• Frequent contact with customers in concert with engineering, purchasing, and senior management to resolve production problems and to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Frequent contact with supplier organizations’ sales staff to negotiate purchases; occasional contact with suppliers’ financial departments to negotiate rates and terms; and with customers’ technical support people to ensure an understanding of customer requirements.
• Perform other tasks as directed

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Meeting or exceeding the customer’s expectations for quality products and on-time delivery, incorporating mold design and engineering integrity.
• Achievement of the Division’s financial goals in support of corporate objectives.
• Development of a highly-skilled, productive workforce, and maintenance of a safe working environment.
• Achievement of an on-going quality improvement process in support of ISO 9001 standards.
• Maintenance of all divisional assets, as well as customer-owned property on premise.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Operations Management or equivalent.
• Minimum of 10 years in engineering, pricing, mold building and supervision, with specialized training in high-precision, plastic mold building. Knowledge of and experience with CAD/CAM desirable.
• Eight years progressively responsible experience in management, including management of professional and managerial staff.
• Working knowledge of how current quality philosophies are applied to injection molds/ machines, secondary processes and plant systems.

COMPETENCIES:

• Business Acumen - Understands business implications of decisions; Displays orientation to profitability; Demonstrates knowledge of market and competition; Aligns work with strategic goals.
• Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Contributes to profits and revenue; Conserves organizational resources.
• Delegation - Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities; Provides recognition for results.
• Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Managing People - Includes staff in planning, decision-making, facilitating and process improvement; Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self-available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Solicits and applies customer feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality focus in others; Improves processes, products and services.; Continually works to improve supervisory skills.