Operations Leader

USA Donaldson Company Inc.; Stilwell (OK); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Donaldson is seeking an NA Operations Leader to oversee Stilwell and Tulsa facilities, directing high-volume production of filter products and project-based capital equipment. This role requires building a culture of safety, leading cross-functional teams, and delivering sustainable operational excellence across manufacturing, planning, EH&S, maintenance, quality, engineering, and supply chain.

Travel up to 30% and a focus on Lean, Six Sigma, cost control, and strategic investments to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Five or more years of progressive high volume and project based operations or manufacturing management experience.
• Demonstrated success leading high-performing teams in a manufacturing environment, ability to lead through others, develop scalable processes, and build effective succession plans.
• Experience working with ERP systems, preferably Oracle, Lean manufacturing and/or Six Sigma initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead and transform manufacturing operations to achieve world-class performance in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence throughout the facility.
• Provide leadership and direction for Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Environmental Health & Safety, Planning, Purchasing, and Supply Chain teams.
• Champion Environmental Health & Safety initiatives, ensuring compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements while maintaining a safe and healthy workplace.
• Develop and manage the operating budget, delivering financial performance through effective cost management, productivity improvements, and inventory optimization.
• Establish and execute strategic plans with breakthrough objectives that drive sustainable operational and business improvements while delivering high-quality products on time in a high volume manufacturing environment.
• Build, coach, and develop a highly engaged workforce while creating strong leadership pipelines and succession plans.
• Lead capital planning and execution for equipment, process, and facility investments that improve operational performance and support future growth.
• Partner cross-functionally with the Facet leadership team to support business objectives, strategic initiatives, and long-term organizational success.
• Drive Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, quality, and operational efficiency.

Job description

Donaldson is committed to solving the world’s most complex filtration challenges. Together, we make cool things. As an established technology and innovation leader, we are continuously evolving to meet the filtration needs of our changing world. Join a culture of collaboration and innovation that matters and a chance to learn, effect change, and make meaningful contributions at work and in communities.

Position Summary

The NA Operations Leader will report to the General Manager of Facet and will lead/direct the high volume production of filter products and project based capital equipment (pressure vessels and skidded systems). The Operations Leader is responsible for all manufacturing, purchasing, distribution, and support functions at Donaldson's Stilwell and Tulsa Oklahoma facilities. This includes Production, Planning, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S), Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain. This is a highly visible leadership role for an individual who is passionate about building a strong safety culture, developing high-performing teams, driving operational excellence, and executing strategic initiatives that deliver sustainable business results. The products manufactured at these facilities support mission-critical applications across the aviation, military, and power generation industries, requiring an uncompromising commitment to quality, reliability, and performance.

Travel: Up to 30%

Role Responsibilities

• Lead and transform manufacturing operations to achieve world-class performance in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence throughout the facility.
• Provide leadership and direction for Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Environmental Health & Safety, Planning, Purchasing, and Supply Chain teams.
• Champion Environmental Health & Safety initiatives, ensuring compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements while maintaining a safe and healthy workplace.
• Develop and manage the operating budget, delivering financial performance through effective cost management, productivity improvements, and inventory optimization.
• Establish and execute strategic plans with breakthrough objectives that drive sustainable operational and business improvements while delivering high-quality products on time in a high volume manufacturing environment.
• Build, coach, and develop a highly engaged workforce while creating strong leadership pipelines and succession plans.
• Lead capital planning and execution for equipment, process, and facility investments that improve operational performance and support future growth.
• Partner cross-functionally with the Facet leadership team to support business objectives, strategic initiatives, and long-term organizational success.
• Drive Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, quality, and operational efficiency.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Five or more years of progressive high volume and project based operations or manufacturing management experience.
• Demonstrated success leading high-performing teams in a manufacturing environment, ability to lead through others, develop scalable processes, and build effective succession plans.
• Experience working with ERP systems, preferably Oracle, Lean manufacturing and/or Six Sigma initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and AS9100 management systems.
• Filtration manufacturing experience.
• Experience operating within military, aerospace, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.

Immigration Sponsorship Not Available

Applicants for this position must be currently and legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship (e.g., H-1B, J-1, F-1, CPT, OPT, etc.)

Donaldson will not offer immigration sponsorship or assume sponsorship of an employment visa for this position.

International relocation or remote work arrangements outside of the U.S. will not be considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability and Veterans.

Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, gender, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity and/or expression, or other status protected by law.

Donaldson Company helps solve some of the world's most complex filtration and contamination control challenges, and is one of the largest global providers of unique filtration technologies and high-quality filters and parts. Our filtration technologies and products are used every day, in a variety of industries and environments, including aerospace, agriculture, construction, food and beverage, manufacturing, mining, power generation, transportation and many more. Key to our success, our 14,000 employees support customers at sales, manufacturing and distribution centers from over 140 locations on six continents. The filtration market continues to grow. Customers' needs for filtration solutions continue to evolve. And the opportunities for our products and our people continue to expand. Learn more at www.donaldson.com.