Director of Manufacturing

Off Highway Van builds complex, custom adventure vans at a high standard of craftsmanship. We’re hiring a Director of Manufacturing to lead day-to-day production execution and raise performance across schedule attainment, throughput, efficiency, and quality. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who is intensely data-driven, thrives in a fast-paced environment, can translate priorities into a predictable production plan that the floor can execute every day -- and be compensated for it at a high level (see $OTE below). The Director of Manufacturing is accountable for production output and performance, leading frontline manufacturing leadership, building operational discipline through metrics and routines, and partnering cross-functionally to remove constraints and deliver on commitments. What You’ll Do: Production leadership & execution Lead and develop manufacturing leadership and build teams to consistently hit production commitments Establish clear production priorities, daily execution rhythm, and escalation paths Ensure production standards are met for safety, quality, and workmanship Own the production schedule Own the master production schedule and short-term execution plan (daily/weekly) Optimize labor allocation, team assignments, and sequencing to maximize flow and minimize downtime Drive schedule adherence and create visibility around risks, constraints, and recovery plans Metrics, tracking, and accountability Build/maintain KPI reporting that enables real-time management of performance and constraints Implement operating cadence: daily production huddles, weekly KPI reviews, and structured problem-solving Track and improve key operational measures such as schedule attainment, cycle time, rework, labor efficiency, and on-time delivery Bottleneck identification & continuous improvement Identify bottlenecks and constraints using data + floor observation; lead corrective actions to improve flow Drive continuous improvement projects that measurably improve throughput, efficiency, and quality (Lean / Six Sigma mindset preferred) Cross-functional coordination Partner closely with Engineering, Supply Chain/Procurement, and leadership to ensure materials, designs, and resources align to production priorities Resolve production blockers quickly and prevent recurrence through root-cause and standardization Production engineering management Direct a dedicated Production Engineer to deliver improvements scoped and prioritized by manufacturing leadership (process improvements, tooling/fixtures, work instructions, quality checks, layout/flow improvements) Safety, quality, and compliance Maintain a safe, organized shop environment and reinforce compliance with relevant standards Establish quality checkpoints and accountability to reduce rework and maintain consistent build quality What Success Looks Like: A production schedule that is reliable, actively managed, and consistently executed Clear visibility into performance through KPIs and dashboards; decisions made from facts, not guesswork Measurable gains in throughput, cycle time, and labor efficiency Fewer surprises: constraints are identified early and managed with clear recovery plans A stronger operating cadence and accountability across manufacturing leadership and teams Qualifications (Required) 7+ years in manufacturing/assembly operations with increasing leadership responsibility 3+ years leading leaders (frontline supervisors/foremen) in a production environment Proven track record improving schedule adherence, throughput, and efficiency using metrics and operational routines Strong production planning/scheduling and resource allocation capability Demonstrated ability to identify bottlenecks/constraints and drive sustained improvement Comfortable in a hands-on, complex build environment (multi-discipline assembly) Strong communication and leadership presence—able to set expectations, create alignment, and drive accountability Preferred Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or similar (or equivalent experience) Lean / Six Sigma training or demonstrated continuous improvement leadership Experience building KPI dashboards and using Excel-based analysis to manage performance Core Competencies Data-driven execution and structured problem solving Planning, prioritization, and schedule ownership People leadership (coaching, accountability, development) Continuous improvement mindset (practical, measurable outcomes) Cross-functional collaboration and clear communicationSafety-first leadership and quality discipline Compensation Base salary range: $110,000–$125,000 Performance incentive: target $25,000 -- paid based on achieving operational production performance goals (e.g., schedule attainment, throughput, quality/rework, labor efficiency) and paid quarterly. Target total compensation: ~$150,000 (base + incentive at target) Pay: $105,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year Benefits: Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Referral program Location: Salt Lake City, UT 84104 (Required) Work Location: In person