Director of Operations

Lead key initiatives in manufacturing and ERP optimization. Shape strategy and culture, and the chance to impact long-term business growth. About Our Client A family-owned manufacturer within the meat industry. Job Description Department Leadership & Accountability · Provide direct leadership, direction, coaching, and accountability to the Production, Maintenance, Warehouse, and Quality department leaders. · Establish clear performance expectations, responsibilities, goals, and KPIs for each department. · Conduct regular performance reviews with department managers and hold leaders accountable for results. Department Management & Operational Execution · Ensure effective execution of production schedules, labor utilization, throughput, yield, equipment reliability, preventive maintenance, warehouse performance, inventory accuracy, and material flow across both facilities. · Ensure departments consistently follow established processes, SOPs, safety requirements, quality standards, and ERP procedures. · Identify operational constraints, recurring problems, and performance gaps; lead cross-functional root-cause analysis and ensure sustainable corrective actions are implemented. · Establish a consistent daily, weekly, and monthly operating cadence to review performance, address issues, and drive accountability. · Serve as the operational subject matter expert and business owner for the Company's ERP system Financial & Budget Management · Own Operations' financial performance and departmental budgets, including labor, overtime, maintenance, manufacturing costs, yield, scrap, rework, and other controllable operating expenses. · Monitor and analyze budget-to-actual performance, identify unfavorable variances and cost drivers, and hold department leaders accountable for corrective actions and financial performance. Strategic Planning and Capacity Management · Translate company strategy and growth objectives into actionable Operations plans, goals, and KPIs · Assess current and future manufacturing capacity and operational requirements to support continued growth · Identify operational constraints, risks, and opportunities and develop strategies to improve capacity, throughput, efficiency, and scalability · Develop and prioritize operational CAPEX and strategic initiatives, ensuring resources are aligned with business priorities Process Excellence & Continuous Improvement · Establish and maintain standardized processes, SOPs, and operating practices · Lead continuous-improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, throughput, yield, labor efficiency, cost, equipment reliability, and inventory performance. · Identify and implement automation and technology opportunities that provide measurable operational or financial value. Cross-Functional Leadership · Partner with Supply Chain, FSQA/Quality, Sales, Finance, HR, Engineering, and other functions to optimize end-to-end business performance. · Resolve cross-functional operational issues and establish clear ownership, priorities, and accountability. · Ensure Operations decisions support the Company's overall safety, quality, customer service, financial, and strategic objectives. Safety, Quality & Compliance · Champion a strong safety culture and hold Operations leadership accountable for safe working practices and performance. · Partner with FSQA to ensure operational execution consistently meets USDA, food-safety, quality, customer, and regulatory requirements. · Ensure operational deficiencies are promptly addressed and corrective actions are implemented and sustained. The Successful Applicant · Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business, or a related field; · 10+ years of progressive manufacturing/operations experience, with increasing levels of leadership responsibility. · Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and holding accountable multiple department managers or operational leaders. · Demonstrated experience managing multi-department manufacturing operations. · Strong understanding of production management, manufacturing processes, labor management, equipment reliability, and warehouse operations. · Demonstrated experience establishing and managing operational KPIs. · Strong financial and budget-management skills, including experience managing labor, overtime, operating expenses, and budget variances. · Demonstrated expertise with ERP systems and their application within manufacturing operations; Microsoft Dynamics Business Central experience strongly preferred. · Strong analytical, decision-making, problem-solving, and root-cause-analysis skills. · Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing and continuous-improvement methodologies. · Demonstrated ability to translate strategic objectives into measurable operational goals and execution plans. · Demonstrated project-management and change-management experience. · Excellent written and verbal communication skills. · Demonstrated ability to develop SOPs, processes, policies, and other operational documentation. · Strong organizational and time-management skills. · Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth manufacturing environment. · Ability and willingness to spend significant time on the manufacturing floor working directly with employees and leaders. · Experience in food manufacturing preferred. · Experience with SQF codes is preferred. What’s on Offer Competitive annual salary and bonus.