Director, Strategic Initiatives

Komline; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 190,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Komline is seeking a Director, Strategic Initiatives in Rockford, IL to drive high-priority cross-functional programs, with emphasis on acquisition integration and large enterprise projects. You will translate strategic priorities into execution plans and coordinate work across manufacturing, finance, IT, and operations.

The role reports to the Chief Operating Officer and requires a highly organized, action-oriented leader who moves between strategy and execution, manages interdependencies, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, business, supply chain, finance, or related field.
• Seven+ years of manufacturing, operations, program management, acquisition integration, or related roles.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives with multiple workstreams and senior stakeholders.
• Experience developing and managing integrated project plans, risks, governance, budgets, and executive updates.
• Strong ability to influence stakeholders and drive accountability without direct reporting authority.
• Analytical, financial, problem-solving, communication, and presentation skills.
• Willingness to travel approximately 50% depending on acquisition and project activity.

Responsibilities

• Lead program management for acquisition integrations, including plans, workstreams, milestones, owners, dependencies, risks, and governance.
• Coordinate large enterprise initiatives, including plant consolidations, manufacturing transfers, facility expansions, and footprint optimization.
• Translate strategic priorities into practical charters, work plans, timelines, resources, decisions, and measurable outcomes.
• Establish clear project governance, steering team meetings, action tracking, risk escalation, decision logs, and executive reporting.
• Work across Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, HR, IT, EHS, Engineering, Commercial, and GMs to align execution and resolve dependencies.
• Track project budgets, capital requirements, synergy targets, savings, milestones, and benefits realization.
• Identify execution risks early, facilitate issue resolution, and expedite decisions for COO or executive leadership.
• Support integration of acquired businesses into Komline operating processes, systems, and standards.
• Maintain an enterprise view of major initiatives and prioritize resources during capacity constraints.
• Prepare concise updates for the COO, executive leadership, and steering committees.
• Continuously improve major project execution with standardized tools, templates, and governance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Financial acumen

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, business, supply chain, finance, or a related field

MBA or other advanced degree

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

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Director, Strategic Initiatives

Chief Executive Office Full Time Rockford, IL, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1389

Salary Range: $190,000.00 To $220,000.00 Annually

About Komline

As a pioneering leader in advanced separation technologies, Komline has established a global reputation for engineering excellence. Through our combination of innovative design, cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities, and decades of industry experience, we consistently deliver the highest quality equipment from our integrated manufacturing facilities. Serving our core markets of Water & Process, Agricultural & Renewables, and Industrials, we pride ourselves on providing comprehensive separation solutions precisely tailored to our clients’ requirements. With a strong track record of strategic growth and acquisitions, Komline continues to expand its solution portfolio and technical capabilities while maintaining our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.

This Opportunity

Komline is seeking a Director, Strategic Initiatives to drive execution of our highest-priority cross-functional initiatives, with a particular focus on acquisition integration and large, complex enterprise projects. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer within Enterprise Operations, this role will translate strategic priorities into structured execution plans, coordinate work across businesses and functions, manage interdependencies and risks, and give leadership clear visibility into progress, decisions, and benefits.

This highly execution-oriented role will work directly with acquired businesses, business unit leaders, plant managers, and functional teams. The ideal candidate is a highly organized, action-oriented leader with strong manufacturing and business acumen who moves comfortably between strategy and execution, brings structure to ambiguity, and drives complex initiatives to completion without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead program management for acquisition integrations, including integration plans, workstreams, milestones, owners, dependencies, risks, and executive governance. Drive delivery against defined milestones and synergy commitments
• Coordinate large enterprise initiatives, including plant consolidations, manufacturing transfers, facility expansions, major layout changes, footprint optimization, and other CEO- or COO-sponsored projects. Ensure delivery on time and within approved scope and budget
• Translate strategic priorities into practical project charters, work plans, timelines, resource needs, decision points, and measurable outcomes
• Establish clear project governance, including steering team meeting schedules, action tracking, risk escalation, decision logs, and executive reporting
• Work across Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, HR, IT, EHS, Engineering, Commercial, continuous improvement teams, and business unit general managers to align execution and resolve cross-functional dependencies
• Track project budgets, capital requirements, synergy targets, savings, milestones, and benefits realization in partnership with Finance and project owners
• Identify execution risks early, facilitate issue resolution, and expedite decisions requiring COO or executive leadership intervention
• Support the integration of acquired businesses into appropriate Komline operating processes, systems, reporting routines, and functional standards
• Maintain an enterprise view of major strategic initiatives and help prioritize resources when competing projects create capacity constraints
• Prepare concise, decision-oriented updates for the COO, executive leadership, and steering committees to improve visibility and decision-making
• Continuously improve Komline’s approach to major project execution by standardizing practical tools, templates, and governance

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, business, supply chain, finance, or a related field
• Seven+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, program management, acquisition integration, business transformation, or related roles
• Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional initiatives involving multiple workstreams and senior stakeholders
• Experience developing and managing integrated project plans, risks, governance, budgets, and executive updates
• Strong ability to influence stakeholders and drive accountability without direct reporting authority
• Strong analytical, financial, problem-solving, communication, and presentation skills
• Comfort working in both plant-floor and executive environments and navigating ambiguity
• Ability to travel approximately 50%, depending on acquisition and project activity

Preferred

• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, carve-outs, or post-acquisition integration
• Experience with plant consolidations, manufacturing transfers, facility expansions, ERP or systems integration, or footprint projects
• Background in industrial manufacturing, engineered products, capital equipment, or multi-site operations
• PMP, Lean Six Sigma, or another relevant project or process improvement certification
• MBA or another advanced degree

Komline is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) - M/F/Vets/Disabled