Strategic Operations Director

Confidential; Waukegan (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking a strategic business leader to drive operational performance, cross-functional initiatives, and enterprise-wide process improvements. The role partners with executive leadership to identify opportunities that improve efficiency, strengthen business performance, and support long-term growth.

You will lead complex initiatives, influence stakeholders, and use data to guide decisions. Responsibilities include building partnerships, leading negotiations, and mentoring a team

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, operations, supply chain, procurement, or a related business function.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional projects and organizational initiatives.
• Strong financial, analytical, negotiation, and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship-building abilities.
• Experience with ERP systems and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic initiatives that improve operational efficiency and business performance.
• Partner with senior leadership to develop and execute long-term operational strategies.
• Build and manage key external business partnerships and commercial relationships.
• Lead complex negotiations and support cost optimization initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement across processes, systems, and cross-functional teams.
• Analyze market trends and business risks to support informed decision making.
• Collaborate with Operations, Finance, Engineering, and Quality to achieve organizational goals.
• Develop performance metrics and monitor business outcomes to ensure continued success.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of managers and business professionals.
• Support organizational growth through strategic planning and change management.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Negotiation

ERP software

MS Office

Stakeholder mgmt

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Office

ERP software

Job description

We are seeking a strategic business leader to drive operational performance, cross-functional initiatives, and enterprise-wide process improvements. This role partners with executive leadership to identify opportunities that improve efficiency, strengthen business performance, and support long-term organizational growth. The ideal candidate brings experience leading complex initiatives, influencing stakeholders, and using data to drive informed business decisions.

What You Will Do

• Lead strategic initiatives that improve operational efficiency and business performance.
• Partner with senior leadership to develop and execute long-term operational strategies.
• Build and manage key external business partnerships and commercial relationships.
• Lead complex negotiations and support cost optimization initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement across processes, systems, and cross-functional teams.
• Analyze market trends and business risks to support informed decision making.
• Collaborate with Operations, Finance, Engineering, and Quality to achieve organizational goals.
• Develop performance metrics and monitor business outcomes to ensure continued success.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of managers and business professionals.
• Support organizational growth through strategic planning and change management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, operations, supply chain, procurement, or a related business function.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional projects and organizational initiatives.
• Strong financial, analytical, negotiation, and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship-building abilities.
• Experience with ERP systems and Microsoft Office.

Success in this Role

• Driving measurable operational improvements
• Leading enterprise-wide strategic initiatives
• Building strong internal and external partnerships
• Supporting sustainable cost optimization
• Creating scalable processes that enable long-term business growth

About the Opportunity

We are a growing manufacturing organization committed to operational excellence, continuous improvement, and innovation. We value collaborative leaders who enjoy solving complex business challenges and making a measurable impact across the organization.