Director, Operations

Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Watlow seeks a Director of Operations to lead the Columbia, Missouri Manufacturing Center of Excellence. You will provide strategic direction, drive safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives, and develop high-performing teams across production, quality, and engineering.

Lead Lean transformation, oversee cross-functional collaboration for new product introductions, monitor KPIs, and ensure regulatory compliance while enabling continuous improvement and competitive positioning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership in manufacturing operations.
• Experience with Lean transformation at scale.
• Semiconductor or high-precision manufacturing environment experience.
• Proven project management delivering on time and on budget.
• Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI/NPD).
• Strong analytical and communication skills; data-driven decisions.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally (<10%).

Responsibilities

• Lead all manufacturing operations to meet safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
• Build and develop a high-performing team with a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
• Drive Lean transformation to streamline processes and improve throughput and OEE.
• Collaborate with Business Units and NPD to integrate new products into production.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to drive performance and Lean progress.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and industry standards and champion quality.
• Manage budgets, resources, and capital investments for efficiency and ROI.
• Evaluate new technologies and methods to strengthen production capabilities.

Skills

Lean principles

Data-driven decision making

Analytical skills

Communication

Strategic leadership

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business

Job description

At Watlow’s Manufacturing Center of Excellence inColumbia, Missouri, we combine precision manufacturing with forward-thinking innovation. Part of a global thermal solutions leader founded in 1922, our Columbia facility is a critical hub for high-performance manufacturing, engineering, and operational excellence.

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We are hiring a: Director, Operations

Columbia, Missouri (On-Site)

Watlow is seeking a Director of Operations to lead our Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Columbia, Missouri. Reporting to the Senior Director of Operations, you will provide both strategic direction and hands‑on leadership across production, quality, safety, supply chain, and engineering to deliver world‑class products and drive operational excellence. As a key member of the Operations Leadership Team, you will partner closely with Business Units, New Product Development, and executive leadership to align operational capabilities with business objectives.

This is a high‑impact opportunity for an experienced operations leader who thrives in complex, high‑tech manufacturing environments, is passionate about Lean transformation, and has the vision to build and develop high‑performing teams. If you are a hands‑on leader who drives accountability and continuous improvement from the shop floor to the executive table, we would love to connect with you.

What You’ll Do:

• Manufacturing Leadership: Lead all manufacturing operations to consistently achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives across the Columbia facility.
• Team Development: Build, coach, and develop a high‑performing team, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement at every level of the organization.
• Lean Transformation: Drive the application of Lean principles to streamline processes, improve throughput, and enhance overall equipment effectiveness — embedding behaviors, not just tools.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with Business Units and New Product Development to ensure seamless integration of new products into production, aligning operational capabilities with innovation priorities.
• Performance Management: Establish and monitor KPIs to track performance, productivity, and Lean progress, using data to drive informed decisions and continuous improvement.
• Compliance & Quality: Ensure compliance with all regulatory, environmental, and industry standards, and champion quality through robust control measures and a culture of excellence.
• Financial Stewardship: Manage budgets, resources, and capital investments with a focus on efficiency and return, identifying and pursuing cost‑reduction opportunities across products, processes, and projects.
• Technology & Innovation: Evaluate and introduce new technologies, systems, and methods to strengthen production capabilities and competitive positioning.
• Engagement & Culture: Lead site‑level engagement initiatives that align with Watlow’s purpose, vision, and strategy, promoting collaboration, trust, and open communication across leadership, teams, and stakeholders.
• Watlow Business System: Represent the site within the Watlow Business System (WBS) framework, ensuring consistent adoption of best practices across the organization.

What you’ll need to succeed?

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business
• 10+ years of progressive leadership in manufacturing operations, with direct oversight of production, supply chain, engineering, and quality
• Demonstrated success implementing Lean principles at scale with hands‑on transformation experience, not just knowledge
• Semiconductor industry or similarly complex, high‑precision manufacturing environment experience
• Proven project management track record delivering on‑time, on‑budget initiatives
• Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI/NPD) in a manufacturing setting
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with a data‑driven approach to performance management and decision‑making
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed (<10%)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (MS or MBA) in Business, Engineering, or Operations Management
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Black Belt or Master Black Belt)
• Change management experience leading cultural transformations in complex organizations
• Background aligning and collaborating with front‑end design and development functions (BU, Sales, Engineering) to ensure linkage to the manufacturing setting
• Experience scaling operations in high‑growth or innovation‑driven industries