Operations Director

SGS & Co; Waukesha (WI); On-site; USD 115,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

SGX, part of the Propelis Group, seeks an Operations Director to lead talent, production, quality, and EH&S at the site. You will partner with senior stakeholders to execute business strategy, manage budgets, and drive safe, efficient operations.

This role requires strong leadership across multi-shift teams, development of SOPs, KPI management, and cross-functional collaboration with Sales, Prepress, Manufacturing, and Account Management to ensure on-time delivery and exceptional customer

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in industry/manufacturing or equivalent experience.
• Experience managing personnel, teams, or departments.
• Competent in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Experience/knowledge in printing or print tool manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day site operations and execute business strategy.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce SOPs that support compliant, efficient operations.
• Manage monthly KPIs, including billing, quality, safety, and operational performance.
• Forecast and manage capital and operating budgets for the site.
• Partner with Sales and cross-functional teams to drive on-time delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Problem solving

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in industry/manufacturing or equivalent experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

SGX, part of the Propelis Group, brings together more than 150 years of combined experience from SGS&Co and SGK, forming a powerhouse in packaging graphics, prepress, and print production. We offer a full suite of solutions, including artwork and file preparation, plate and cylinder production, and metal deco services, supported by advanced technology and a global footprint.

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Position Summary The Operations Director is a key member of the site leadership team, responsible for leading talent, production, quality, and Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) to deliver safe, efficient, and fiscally responsible operations. This role collaborates with senior stakeholders to execute business strategy, manage budgets, and ensure the overall performance and success of the site.

Essential Responsibilities

Operations Leadership

• Lead successful day-to-day site operations and execute business strategy in alignment with company goals.
• Resolve personnel and departmental issues promptly and professionally.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) that support consistent, compliant, and efficient operations.
• Responsible for the identification and suggestions of capital site improvements to include scope, quotations, justifications, and senior management approval requests and successful execution of approved projects.

Financial & Business Performance

• Maintain a safe, healthy work environment by enforcing EH&S standards, procedures, and legal requirements.
• Manage monthly business KPIs, including billing, quality, safety, and operational performance, while meeting or exceeding budget expectations.
• Ensure the fiscal health of the site by making sound, strategic, and responsible business decisions.
• Collaborate with senior management to forecast and manage capital and operational budgets for the site.

Customer & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with Sales on new business, cost savings, and growth opportunities.
• Coordinate across Prepress, Manufacturing, Sales, Account Management, and Project Management.
• Participate in decisions regarding site operations, staffing, and company policies.
• Partner with production leadership to ensure workflow effectiveness and 100% quality compliance.
• Advise senior management and account managers on customer timing, delivery, and service expectations.
• Resolve customer issues and improve the overall customer experience.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to improve on-time delivery, product quality, and customer service.
• Provide technical support for internal and external customers as needed.

People Leadership

• Supervise local management to ensure effective department performance.
• Maintain staff communication through regular facility and department meetings.
• Manage direct-report performance and support continuous learning.
• Coach direct reports and build a high-performing management team.
• Conduct annual performance reviews.
• Foster trust, continuous improvement, high performance, morale, and alignment with company
• Partner with Human Resources on workforce planning, budgeting, policy, compliance, and performance development.
• Responsible for screening, hiring, and onboarding team members to achieve site and company objectives.
• Support corporate Human Resources initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in industry/manufacturing or equivalent experience.
• Experience managing personnel, teams, or departments.
• Competent in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Experience/knowledge in printing or print tool manufacturing, using industry equipment preferred

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Working knowledge of manufacturing operations and equipment.
• Knowledge of print processes and related downstream applications.
• Ability to research problems and implement timely solutions.
• Ability to manage large, multi-shift teams across departments.
• Proven ability to lead through high-performance, participative management.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Capable of presenting a broad range of company information and products to internal and external
• Ability to set priorities and delegate based on customer and business
• Self-driven and self-motivated.
• Understanding of EH&S policies, including training and reporting.
• Strong attention to detail as well as organizational and documentation skills.

General Expectations

• Comply with all company standards, policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Willing to take on additional responsibilities as needed.

Physical Requirements

• Vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus (Munsell Color Test results).
• Use hands to reach, grasp, handle, and feel.
• Talk and hear.
• Required to stand and walk for most of shift.
• Regularly required to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.

Travel Requirements

Travel within North America is required on an occasional basis.

NOTE

This document describes the general nature, purpose, responsibilities, duties, skills, abilities, and workload associated with this role. It is not intended to include every responsibility that may be required, does not constitute an employment contract, and may be updated at any time.

About Propelis

Propelis is a portfolio of global marketing services and technology companies with a combined legacy of 150+ years, 2,000+ clients, 9,000 employees, and operations across 30 countries. Propelis provides the scale and support of a global organization while preserving the unique culture and identity of each company in its portfolio.

For more information visit: www.SGXgraphics.com

EEO Statement

We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. We offer equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, age, disability or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled.

We strive to make our employment website and application process accessible to all users and applicants. In doing so, we provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation or assistance completing the application process, please contact a member of our Human Resource Team.

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this position is $115,000 - $125,000 USD annually. Ultimately, in determining pay, we will consider the successful candidate’s location, experience, and other job-related factors.

Group benefits currently include a selection of health care plans with prescription drug coverage, dental plan, vision plan, basic and supplemental life insurance, a flexible spending account for medical and dependent care expenses or a health savings account based on plan selection, short/long term disability and 401(k) Savings Plan.