Operations Director

Aptar Italia S.P.A.; Midland (MI); On-site; USD 150,000 - 206,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Performance-based bonus plan

401k & retirement savings plan

Health, dental, vision insurance

Parental leave

Paid time off

Job summary

Aptar Midland is seeking an Director of Operations to drive total manufacturing performance, quality governance, and cross‑functional alignment at the Midland site in Michigan. The role focuses on operational excellence, digitalization, and EHS stewardship while collaborating with global teams.

Ideal candidates bring 10+ years in manufacturing leadership, Six Sigma/Lean preference, and strong data interpretation skills to fuel continuous improvement and financial outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related technical field.
• Alternatively, 10 years of direct manufacturing leadership experience.
• 10+ years total manufacturing experience with progressive responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy an operational strategy aligning site resources, production outputs, and spending within the Production Credit budget.
• Establish and lead continuous improvement framework for efficiency, standardization, and best‑practice sharing.
• Govern a harmonized Quality Management System to support product integrity and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee MES data accuracy and auditability to meet corporate reporting requirements and drive real‑time decisions at the plant level.
• Champion digitalization initiatives with Midland’s 2026 flagship strategy for SPC, TPM, automation, and OE systems.
• Collaborate with Global EFC Supply Chain to optimize planning, scheduling, material flow, and service levels across locations.
• Ensure manufacturing operations maintain Aptar EHS standards and sustain a strong safety culture.
• Build organizational capability by defining competency expectations and developing talent pipelines.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven problem solving

Mentoring

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Business or related field

10 years direct manufacturing leadership experience

Job description

Reports to: VP General Manager, Elastomeric Flow Controls

Location: Onsite Midland, MI location

The Director of Operations is responsible for the total operational performance of the manufacturing activities within the Aptar Midland site. Key strategic areas of focus include Operational Performance & Excellence, Quality Management Systems, Supply Chain Scheduling Alignment, Total Maintenance Strategy, EHS compliance, and Continuous Improvement. Success in this role requires strong alignment with the Global EFC team, Supply Chain, Finance, RPD, and Engineering teams to ensure effective cross‑functional collaboration and direction setting.

As an Operations Director, You Will

• Operational Strategy Development: Develop and deploy an operational strategy that aligns site‑level resources, production outputs, and spending plans within the Production Credit budget. Includes the formalization and implementation of the Autonomous Production Unit (APU) structure.
• Continuous Improvement & Look‑Across: Establish and lead continuous improvement framework that drives efficiency, standardization, and best‑practice sharing.
• Quality Management System Governance: Ensure adherence to a harmonized Quality Management System that supports product integrity, customer satisfaction, and regulatory compliance.
• Manufacturing Performance Reporting: Oversee the use, accuracy, and auditability of MES data to meet corporate reporting requirements and drive effective, real‑time decision making at the plant level.

Digitalization & Operational Excellence: Champion digitalization initiatives by deploying processes, tools, and best practices aligned with Midland’s 2026 flagship strategy for SPC, TPM, automation, and OE systems.

Supply Chain & Scheduling Alignment: Collaborate with Global EFC Supply Chain to optimize planning, scheduling, material flow, and service levels across all manufacturing locations.

EHS Stewardship: Ensure manufacturing operations maintain compliance with Aptar EHS standards and sustain a strong safety culture.

People Development & Succession: Build organizational capability by defining competency expectations while developing talent pipelines.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or related Technical Field.
• Alternatively, 10 years of direct manufacturing leadership experience will be considered.

Experience

• Over 10 years of total manufacturing experience, with a proven track record of success facilitating progressive organizational change.
• Demonstrated job history of increasing responsibility to manage multiple teams and functions.
• Must possess a strong knowledge and demonstrated experience with manufacturing in a high volume/high mix environment.
• Preference will be given to candidates with Six Sigma training and/or proven ability to implement Lean Principles.
• Working knowledge of quality best practices as well as SQF and GMP procedures.
• Very comfortable working with and interpreting data to solve problems and drive operational improvements.

Skills

• Ability to communicate, influence and engage across a matrix organization and with global direct/indirect reports and peers.
• Excellent team building and influencing skills with cross-functional teams in Engineering, Development, HR, Quality, Sales & Finance.
• Must have a curious mindset and be always ready to challenge the status quo in the spirit of continuous improvement.
• Motivates and inspires others, strong mentoring, coaching experience to a team with diverse areas of expertise.
• High performance & customer orientation in terms of safety, quality, productivity, and financial results. Understands and leverages linkage between operational performance and financial results.
• Strong communication and command skills and the ability to effectively interface as a key member of the Senior Leadership team.

Travel Requirements

• International travel required frequently

Benefits

• An exciting, diverse and value based working environment
• Award‑winning corporate university offering personal development and training opportunities.
• Competitive base salary and performance‑based bonus plan.
• Contribute to the communities where we reside.
• Innovative benefits plan which includes: 401k & Retirement Savings plan, vacation, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, pet insurance, wellness plan, and generous paid maternity/paternity leave.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role is $150,000-$206,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. Aptar also offers a variety of benefits, including health, life, and disability insurance, 401(k) match and employer retirement savings contribution, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, company‑paid holidays, and more. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on location, pay class, or other factors

Aptar is an equal opportunities employer. We believe that a diverse workforce is key to our success. We welcome applications from all members of society irrespective of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief.

Nearest Major Market: Midland Michigan

Nearest Secondary Market: Saginaw