Operations Manager

Job Title Director of Manufacturing / Production Manager Role Summary The Director of Manufacturing is responsible for the complete execution, performance, and continuous improvement of manufacturing and directly related supply chain operations. This is a hands-on leadership role, not a desk role. The Director of Manufacturing works on the factory floor and with suppliers daily, owning production output, quality, efficiency, safety, material availability, and cost control. This role is accountable for ensuring raw materials, components, and subassemblies are available when needed, production flows without interruption, and finished goods ship accurately and on time. The Director of Manufacturing reports directly to the CEO and plays a critical role in margin expansion, automation, operational discipline, and long-term enterprise value creation. Core Responsibilities Manufacturing Execution and Floor Leadership Own daily production execution and ensure orders are completed accurately, on time, and to specification Spend the majority of working hours on the factory floor actively managing production, troubleshooting issues, and supporting operators Set and enforce standard work, work instructions, and quality checkpoints at every stage of production Personally resolve production bottlenecks, equipment issues, workflow breakdowns, and material shortages Supply Chain and Materials Management Own end-to-end supply chain execution tied directly to manufacturing needs Ensure raw materials, components, and purchased parts are ordered, received, staged, and issued correctly to production Build and maintain accurate bills of materials, reorder points, and minimum stock levels Eliminate stockouts, line stoppages, and excess inventory through disciplined planning and forecasting Work directly with suppliers to improve lead times, reliability, quality, and cost Support vendor qualification, dual sourcing, and make-versus-buy decisions Inventory Control and Accuracy Own physical and system inventory accuracy across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods Implement cycle counting, material traceability, and clean inventory practices Ensure production and inventory data is accurate and usable for planning and financial reporting Quality and Accuracy Establish and enforce zero-defect manufacturing and shipping accuracy standards Implement in-process and final inspection protocols that are simple, repeatable, and auditable Reduce rework, scrap, and customer-visible errors through root cause analysis and corrective action Own accountability for quality outcomes across all manufactured products Automation and Process Improvement Identify, test, and implement low-cost and high-impact automation opportunities in manufacturing and material handling Lead process mapping and continuous improvement initiatives focused on cycle time, labor efficiency, and throughput Reduce dependence on tribal knowledge through documented and repeatable systems Cost Control and Margin Expansion Own manufacturing and supply chain cost structure including labor, materials, scrap, freight, and overtime Actively improve gross margins through process discipline, supplier negotiations, tooling improvements, and smarter production sequencing Track and report key manufacturing and supply chain KPIs tied to financial performance Team Leadership and Accountability Lead, train, and hold accountable manufacturing, shipping, and receiving personnel Set clear performance expectations and enforce standards consistently Build a culture of ownership, precision, and operational discipline Safety and Compliance Own shop and warehouse safety standards and ensure a clean, organized, and compliant facility Enforce PPE, equipment safety, and material handling best practices Strategic and Investor Readiness Build manufacturing and supply chain systems that stand up to audits, due diligence, and customer scrutiny Create documentation and reporting that clearly demonstrates operational control, repeatability, and scalability Support long-term capacity planning, supplier strategy, and facility expansion Required Qualifications Proven experience leading hands-on manufacturing operations with supply chain responsibility Demonstrated ability to run production floors and material flow directly, not via reports alone Strong understanding of machining, fabrication, assembly, or industrial manufacturing Experience managing suppliers, inventory, and production planning Track record of improving efficiency, accuracy, and margins Preferred Qualifications Experience implementing lean manufacturing and material flow systems Background in American manufacturing or industrial products Experience preparing operations for scale, audits, or acquisition What This Role Is Not Not a remote or office-only position Not a purely strategic or administrative role Not a role insulated from production or material flow realities Success Metrics On-time and accurate order fulfillment Zero production stoppages due to material shortages Improved inventory accuracy and turns Reduced scrap, rework, and freight expense Measurable gross margin improvement Clean, disciplined, audit-ready manufacturing and supply chain operations Job Type: Full-time Pay: $70,529.85 - $82,896.16 per year Work Location: In person