Director of Operations & Continuous Improvement

Greater Beloit, WI Area | Up to $175,000 + Relocation Assistance | Direct Hire

A well-established and growing industrial manufacturer is seeking a Director of Operations & Continuous Improvement to lead plant operations, drive Lean transformation initiatives, and help shape the future of a highly respected North American manufacturing organization.

This is a senior leadership role reporting directly to the Executive Vice President and offers full operational ownership across manufacturing, maintenance, production control, environmental health & safety, and continuous improvement. The organization has a strong reputation for engineering excellence, quality craftsmanship, and investment in advanced manufacturing technologies, creating an opportunity for an experienced operations leader to make a significant impact.

Why This Opportunity?

• Executive-level role with direct visibility to senior leadership and company ownership

• Full operational responsibility across manufacturing, maintenance, EHS, production control, and continuous improvement

• Opportunity to lead a large-scale Lean transformation and operational excellence initiative

• Significant influence over capital investments, automation strategy, equipment modernization, and digital manufacturing initiatives

• Strong company culture focused on accountability, craftsmanship, safety, and long-term growth

• Relocation assistance available

• Competitive compensation package up to $175,000

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all manufacturing operations with accountability for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity performance

• Drive Lean Manufacturing initiatives through Kaizen, standard work, visual management, SQDCIG, value stream improvements, and operational excellence programs

• Develop and execute annual operating plans, strategic initiatives, and continuous improvement roadmaps

• Manage operational budgets, cost performance, labor efficiency, and overall plant profitability

• Lead capital planning efforts and evaluate ROI-driven investments in equipment, automation, and facility improvements

• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing operations leadership team

• Champion TPM initiatives to maximize equipment uptime and improve asset reliability

• Establish KPI-driven management systems and operational review cadences

• Lead digital transformation efforts including ERP, MES, automation, analytics, and emerging manufacturing technologies

• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and quality management standards

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or a related technical field

• 15+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience

• Experience serving as a Director of Operations, Plant Manager, General Manager, VP of Operations, or equivalent leadership role

• Demonstrated success leading Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement transformations

• Full P&L ownership and operational budget management experience

• Strong background in production planning, capacity management, throughput optimization, and operational strategy

• Experience leading cross-functional teams including manufacturing, maintenance, production control, EHS, and continuous improvement

• Proven ability to drive culture change and operational performance improvements

Preferred Experience

• Heavy manufacturing, fabrication, welding, industrial equipment, process manufacturing, transportation equipment, food processing, chemical processing, automation, or similar environments

• TPM implementation and equipment reliability programs

• MES, ERP integration, and digital manufacturing initiatives

• Capital project leadership and facility expansion experience

• Theory of Constraints (TOC), bottleneck analysis, and advanced Lean methodologies

• ISO, QMS, ASME, or regulated manufacturing environments

Ideal Candidate

This position is designed for a hands-on operational leader who is equally comfortable discussing strategy in the boardroom and walking the production floor conducting GEMBA activities. The successful candidate will have a track record of building strong teams, improving operational performance, and leading meaningful transformation initiatives rather than simply maintaining existing systems.

If you're looking for a high-impact leadership opportunity with the ability to shape the future direction of a growing manufacturing organization, we'd welcome a conversation.