Director of Manufacturing Operations

Director of Manufacturing OperationsLocation: Hybrid / On-site (as required)Reports to: COOThe Director of Manufacturing Operations is responsible for end-to-end manufacturing execution and scale for DeNova Detect’s life-safety product portfolio. This role ensures that products are built safely, on time, on cost, and in compliance, while building a resilient manufacturing ecosystem capable of supporting rapid growth across retail, commercial, utility, and legislative-driven demand.This leader serves as the operational bridge between engineering, supply chain, quality, regulatory, and commercial teams, translating product strategy into reliable, scalable production.Core ResponsibilitiesManufacturing & Production LeadershipOwn global manufacturing strategy across internal and contract manufacturing partnersEstablish and manage production plans aligned with sales forecasts and launch timelinesEnsure consistent achievement of cost, quality, delivery, and yield targetsLead capacity planning to support demand surges driven by retail promotions, legislation, or national media exposureDrive continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologiesContract Manufacturer & Supplier ManagementSelect, onboard, and manage contract manufacturers (CMs) and key component suppliersNegotiate manufacturing agreements, pricing, lead times, and service-level expectationsImplement performance scorecards for CMs and suppliers (OTIF, quality, cost, responsiveness)Conduct regular audits and business reviews to ensure compliance and risk mitigationQuality, Compliance & Regulatory ReadinessEnsure manufacturing processes comply with all applicable standards and certifications, including:UL /ETL (as applicable)State and federal life-safety regulationsPartner with internal teams to support certifications, audits, and change controlEnsure all NCE Quality Control metrics are met or exceededImplement continuous improvement process for quality and manufacturingOwn manufacturing-related corrective actions (CAPAs), root cause analysis, and preventive controlsNew Product Introduction (NPI) & Scale-UpLead manufacturing readiness for new product introductions from pilot builds through mass productionPartner with Engineering on DFM/DFA, tooling decisions, and test strategiesEstablish production validation, ramp-up plans, and early yield stabilizationCost Management & Margin ExpansionDrive COGS reduction initiatives without compromising safety or qualityOptimize labor, materials, tooling, and logistics costsSupport margin expansion initiatives tied to volume growth and supplier consolidationRisk Management & Business ContinuityIdentify and mitigate manufacturing risks (single-source suppliers, geopolitical risk, capacity constraints)Develop contingency plans for supply disruptions, demand spikes, or quality eventsSupport inventory strategy decisions in collaboration with Supply Chain and FinanceLeadership & Cross-Functional CollaborationServe as a key operational voice in executive planning and growth discussionsCollaborate closely with our Japan Engineering Team, Sales and MarketingRequired Qualifications & ExperienceBachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field10+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, preferably in:Consumer electronicsLife-safety, IoT, or regulated hardware productsProven experience managing contract manufacturers and global supply partnersStrong working knowledge of regulated manufacturing environmentsDemonstrated success scaling production in high-growth environmentsPreferredMBA or advanced degreeExperience with UL-listed or safety-critical productsLean Six Sigma certificationExperience supporting national retail or utility-driven distribution modelsThis role is critical to DeNova Detect’s ability to save lives at scale. As demand grows through retail expansion, legislative adoption, and national awareness campaigns, the Director of Manufacturing Operations ensures that every product shipped meets the company’s promise of safety, reliability, and trust.