PEPI: Director, Operations & Manufacturing (OPEN TO ALL U.S. LOCATIONS)

Alvarez & Marsal; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Alvarez & Marsal Private Equity Performance Improvement seeks a Director of Operations & Manufacturing to lead manufacturing and distribution improvements for portfolio companies. You will work with PE sponsors and senior executives to design and execute transformation plans driven by data, lean methods, and strategic CapEx initiatives.

The role emphasizes hands-on problem solving, team leadership, and delivering measurable EBITDA uplift across manufacturing and supply chain functions.

Qualifications

• 10-15+ years of combined professional industry and consulting experience, with a minimum of 4 years in manufacturing and/or distribution functions.
• Advisory experience from top-tier strategy firm, specialist, niche advisory firm, or Big-4 required.
• Experience working for or with private equity sponsors and portfolio companies.
• Deep functional expertise in Supply Chain Operations, Manufacturing Operations, SI/OP, plant footprint optimization, CapEx planning, Lean, Six Sigma, TOC, Value Engineering.
• Track record of working with C-suite executives and private equity deal/operating partners.
• Strong fact-gathering and analytical skills, including business process mapping and quantitative analysis.
• Experience designing and leading change/communications strategy and change management.
• MBA a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop transformation plans to drive changes and identify risks and mitigation strategies.
• Lead execution of cost-improvement opportunities through lean initiatives and facility consolidation.
• Oversee quality of deliverables and manage day-to-day client and team relationships for exceptional performance.
• Analyze target manufacturing and distribution operations, including capacity, efficiency, and planning.
• Engage with clients to review data, identify bottlenecks, and recommend operational improvements.
• Collaborate with private equity sponsors and portfolio companies to maximize value creation.
• Provide leadership and guidance to junior professionals on client engagements.

Skills

Manufacturing Ops

Supply Chain Ops

Lean Six Sigma

TOC & Value Eng

C-suite collaboration

Education

MBA

Job description

Alvarez & Marsal Private Equity Performance Improvement

Director: Operations & Manufacturing

About Alvarez & Marsal
A&M is a global consulting firm with over 10,000 professionals in more than 40 countries. We take a hands‑on approach to problem solving and help clients reach their potential. Our culture celebrates independent thinkers and doers who positively impact clients and shape the industry. The collaborative environment and engaging work—guided by A&M’s core values of Integrity, Quality, Objectivity, Fun, Personal Reward, and Inclusive Diversity—are why our people love working at A&M.

The Team

A&M’s Private Equity Performance Improvement Services (PEPI) practice, with offices throughout the US, focuses on serving middle‑market and large‑cap private equity firms who have engaged A&M to improve operating results at their portfolio companies. Our professionals are aligned with a PEPI service line to develop deep functional skills and maximize our ability to tailor solutions to solve client business issues. We bring a structured and disciplined approach to create and capture value, providing clients with a continuum of knowledge and tools for cost improvements, transformations, mergers, acquisitions, and carve‑outs. A&M’s Operations professionals assist clients in analyzing manufacturing operations, supply chain and distribution channels, procurement, SG&A operations, and sales force effectiveness for potential value creation opportunities and help drive them during the client’s ownership. From thorough fact‑based analysis, we assess the state of operations, identify key risks to investment, and quantify potential EBITDA improvement plans for the buyer and seller. The PEPI Operations group is a growing business targeting high growth in the next two to four years and offers excellent opportunities for career advancement and leadership skills.

How You Will Contribute

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of a target’s manufacturing and distribution operations—including organization design, production capacity, efficiency, quality, planning, warehousing and team capability.
• Evaluate the maintainability and operability of production facilities.
• Review current and historical data to understand efficiency & capacity, including equipment conditions, maintenance logs, spare parts and detailed production numbers.
• Provide shop floor insights by talking with employees and customers and reviewing all available data.
• Identify potential cost improvement opportunities through lean improvements, outsourcing or consolidation of facilities.
• Develop transformation plans to drive proposed changes and identify key risks and mitigation strategies.
• Implement and oversee the quality of deliverables and effectively manage the team and day‑to‑day relationships to ensure exceptional performance.

Qualifications

• 10-15 plus years of combined professional industry and consulting experience, with a minimum of 4 years specializing in manufacturing and/or distribution functions.
• Previous advisory experience from a top‑tier strategy firm, leading specialist, niche advisory firm, or Big‑4 consultancy required.
• Experience working for or with private equity sponsors and portfolio companies.
• Deep functional expertise in one or more of the following areas: Supply Chain Operations; Manufacturing Operations, SI&OP; Footprint optimization, plant consolidation and product line transfer; Manufacturing strategy, CapEx planning, Manufacturing 4.0/IIoT; Lean, Six Sigma, TOC and Value Engineering.
• Demonstrated track record working with C‑suite executives as well as private equity deal and operating partners.
• Excellent fact‑gathering and analytical skills, including business process mapping and quantitative analysis.
• Specific experience designing and leading the execution of internally‑focused and externally‑focused change/communications strategy.
• Previous strategy and change management experience.
• MBA a plus.

Your journey at A&M

We recognize that our people are the driving force behind our success, which is why we prioritize an employee experience that fosters each person’s unique professional and personal development. Our robust performance development process promotes continuous learning, rewards your contributions, and fosters a culture of meritocracy. With top‑notch training and on‑the‑job learning opportunities, you can acquire new skills and advance your career. We prioritize your well‑being, providing benefits and resources to support you on your personal journey. Our people consistently highlight the growth opportunities, our unique, entrepreneurial culture, and the fun we have together as their favorite aspects of working at A&M. The possibilities are endless for high‑performing and passionate professionals.

The salary range is $150,000–$225,000 annually, dependent on several variables including but not limited to education, experience, skills, and geography. In addition, A&M offers a discretionary bonus program which is based on a number of factors, including individual and firm performance. Please ask your recruiter for details.

A&M does not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employment or continued employment. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.