Director, Operations

Benchmark Electronics; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Benchmark Electronics in Tempe, AZ seeks a Director of Operations to lead Phoenix-area manufacturing operations and drive growth, operational excellence, and customer success. The role requires strategic leadership across production, engineering, quality, supply chain, and planning functions.

The ideal candidate will have a strong manufacturing background, a passion for continuous improvement, and the ability to align teams around a common vision while driving performance through collaboration

Qualifications

• 8+ years electronics manufacturing and engineering experience.
• 8+ years in a leadership role at a large site (600+ employees).
• Experience in precision machining, aerospace/defense, semiconductor equipment, medical devices, or similar regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for manufacturing operations, manufacturing engineering, production control, and operational support functions.
• Establish and execute operational strategies aligned with division objectives and long-term growth plans.
• Drive safety, quality, delivery, cost, and inventory performance.
• Lead daily execution and build operational capabilities for future growth.
• Develop and execute strategic plans to improve productivity and efficiency.
• Partner with Finance to achieve revenue, profitability, cash flow, and ROI targets.
• Champion a customer-first culture and build executive relationships.
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Manufacturing

Lean Six Sigma

Continuous Improvement

Strategic Planning

Cross-functional Leadership

Budget Management

Customer Relations

Education

Engineering degree

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Operations/Business/Supply Chain

Job description

Lead the Future of Advanced Manufacturing

At Benchmark, we are driven by our purpose: to innovate for a healthier, safer, and better-connected world. Within our Precision Technologies Division, we partner with industry-leading customers in aerospace, defense, semiconductor capital equipment, medical, and complex industrial markets to deliver mission-critical products and solutions.

We are seeking a highly accomplished Director of Operations to lead our Phoenix-area manufacturing operations and help drive the next phase of growth, operational excellence, and customer success. This role is ideal for a strategic, people-focused leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, develops high-performing teams, and delivers exceptional business results through both direct leadership and organizational influence.

The successful candidate will possess a strong manufacturing background, a passion for continuous improvement, and the ability to align teams around a common vision. They will lead through collaboration, accountability, and servant leadership while driving performance across production, manufacturing engineering, quality, supply chain, planning, and operational support functions.

This is a highly visible leadership role with significant impact on customer satisfaction, operational performance, employee development, and business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership for manufacturing operations, manufacturing engineering, production control, and operational support functions.
• Establish and execute operational strategies that support division objectives, customer commitments, and long-term growth plans.
• Drive excellence in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and inventory performance.
• Lead daily execution while building the operational capabilities needed to support future growth.
• Ensure effective capacity planning, workforce planning, and resource allocation to meet customer demand and business objectives.

Results-Driven Performance & Transformation

• Establish a culture of accountability focused on measurable business outcomes, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Drive breakthrough improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and customer satisfaction metrics.
• Lead transformational initiatives that improve scalability, increase capacity, enhance productivity, and strengthen competitiveness.
• Utilize data, metrics, and business intelligence to identify opportunities, resolve bottlenecks, and accelerate performance.
• Challenge the status quo and foster a culture where teams proactively solve problems and pursue higher levels of performance.
• Develop and execute strategic plans that deliver sustainable improvements in operational efficiency, profitability, and organizational capability.
• Lead change effectively across the organization by creating alignment, building commitment, and ensuring disciplined execution.
• Create a performance-oriented environment where expectations are clear, results are measured, and successes are recognized.

Business Performance & Financial Leadership

• Own operational performance metrics and drive accountability throughout the organization.
• Develop and manage operating budgets, capital investments, productivity initiatives, and cost improvement plans.
• Partner with Finance and Business Leadership to achieve revenue, profitability, cash flow, and return-on-investment targets.
• Utilize data-driven decision-making to identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and improve overall business performance.
• Support division business planning and strategic growth initiatives.

Customer Obsession

• Champion a customer-first culture where every decision is evaluated through the lens of customer success, responsiveness, quality, and long-term partnership.
• Build trusted executive-level relationships and proactively anticipate customer needs, ensuring Benchmark is viewed as a strategic partner rather than a supplier.
• Drive organizational urgency around customer priorities, leading cross-functional teams to consistently deliver on commitments and resolve issues with speed and accountability.
• Continuously improve the customer experience by enhancing quality, delivery performance, communication, and operational execution while ensuring every employee understands their impact on customer success.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Champion Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives throughout the organization.
• Drive transformational improvements in productivity, throughput, quality, inventory management, and lead-time reduction.
• Develop systems and processes that improve scalability, operational consistency, and organizational effectiveness.
• Lead efforts to identify and eliminate waste while improving operational agility and competitiveness.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Build, lead, and develop high-performing teams across multiple functions.
• Create a culture of accountability, engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Coach and mentor leaders while developing future operational talent.
• Drive succession planning and organizational development initiatives to strengthen leadership bench strength.
• Foster an environment where employees are empowered to solve problems, make decisions, and contribute to business success.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Build strong partnerships with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Program Management, Finance, Human Resources, and Customer teams.
• Influence outcomes across organizational boundaries and drive alignment toward common business goals.
• Lead cross-functional problem-solving efforts for complex operational challenges.
• Drive execution through collaboration, influence, and strong stakeholder relationships.

Education:

• 4-year Engineering or Technical degree preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience as approved by executive management
• 8+ years electronics manufacturing and engineering experience; Contract manufacturing preferred
• 8+ years in a leadership role in a multiple or large site (600+ employees and associated revenue/customer base)

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, Supply Chain, or equivalent years of experience.
• 10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including responsibility for multiple operational functions.
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience leading and developing managers, building high-performing leadership teams, and strengthening organizational capability.
• Experience in precision machining, aerospace and defense, semiconductor capital equipment, medical devices, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Proven track record of leading complex manufacturing organizations with responsibility for safety, quality, delivery, inventory, and cost performance.
• Strong business acumen with demonstrated success managing budgets, capital investments, productivity initiatives, and operational financial performance.
• Experience driving Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment.
• Strong customer-facing experience with the ability to build executive-level relationships.
• Experience scaling operations, supporting growth initiatives, and leading organizational change.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Lean, Six Sigma, APICS, PMP, or equivalent certifications are preferred.

What Sets the Ideal Candidate Apart

The ideal candidate is more than an operational leader. They are a business leader, team builder, and change agent who understands how to achieve results through people.

They will:

• Develop leaders, not just manage employees.
• Lead through influence as effectively as authority.
• Balance strategic thinking with disciplined execution.
• Build trust across all levels of the organization.
• Drive accountability while creating an engaging and inclusive culture.
• Have a passion for developing talent and building high-performing teams.
• Create alignment across functions to solve complex business challenges.
• Continuously seek opportunities to improve customer satisfaction, operational performance, and organizational capability.

Why Join Benchmark?

This is an opportunity to lead a world-class manufacturing operation within Benchmark's Precision Technologies Division. You'll have the ability to shape strategy, develop future leaders, drive operational excellence, and make a meaningful impact on a growing business serving some of the world's most demanding industries.

Join a team committed to innovation, customer success, employee development, and building the future of advanced manufacturing in the Phoenix region.

Geographical Location: Arizona: Tempe

Physical Location: Tempe, AZ - Southern Ave

Shift: Shift 1

Work Schedule: M-F 0800-1700

Full Time

In our innovative environment, you'll work with cutting-edge technology, leading the way in engineering design and delivering world-class manufacturing services for products that make a real difference in the lives of others. At Benchmark, your career is more than just a job. It's an opportunity to be part of something bigger, where your work matters and helps shape a brighter future for everyone. Together, we will achieve extraordinary things.

Export Control: This job position may include access to controlled information or technology covered under applicable U.S. export control laws. As such, employment for this job position may be contingent on either verification that an applicant falls under the definition of a "U.S. Person" (which includes U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and those granted U.S. asylum or refugee status) or on the Company timely obtaining any necessary export license required under federal laws. The Company evaluates such export license situations on a case-by-case basis and may decline to proceed with a job applicant in its sole discretion since export license applications can take many weeks to be processed.

Benchmark is an equal opportunity employer. We are bringing together a dynamic workforce with unique talents, life experiences, cultures, and perspectives to promote an innovative, collaborative, and creative place to work. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [e-mail].