Director of Manufacturing

Location: Central Oregon (Redmond area) • On-site

Compensation: $150,000–$225,000 DOE, 15%-30% Annual Bonus Eligibility, 40% Long-Term Incentive Plan

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability, retirement plan with employer match, HSA options, and flexible shift scheduling.

HireIQ Solutions is leading the search for a Director of Manufacturing to oversee a large, fast-growing custom HVAC manufacturing operation that builds engineered-to-order air handling and cooling systems for mission-critical data centers, cleanrooms, and healthcare environments. The company designs, fabricates, and assembles the majority of each unit in-house, with a strong focus on safety, quality, delivery, and cost.

The Opportunity

You’ll lead one of the company’s manufacturing plants, responsible for end-to-end operations performance—safety, quality, delivery, and cost—while developing leaders and teams, embedding Lean Manufacturing and Daily Management practices, and scaling capacity to meet strong market demand. This role is ideal for a servant leader who thrives in a high-mix, custom fabrication environment and enjoys building systems, talent, and culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy & Execution
• Build and execute a plant manufacturing strategy aligned to company objectives and P&L targets.
• Translate goals into clear metrics, tiered visual management, and daily accountability.
• Safety & Compliance
• Champion a zero-harm culture; ensure compliance with OSHA and industry standards.
• Implement layered audits and robust incident prevention/corrective actions.
• Quality & Delivery
• Establish and enforce quality systems to meet/exceed customer expectations.
• Oversee production planning and scheduling to achieve on-time delivery and inventory targets.
• Lean & Continuous Improvement
• Institutionalize Lean tools (5S, standard work, value stream mapping, pull/kanban, SMED, problem solving/A3).
• Drive CI projects that improve throughput, first-pass yield, and cost.
• People & Culture
• Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing production leadership team; ensure succession plans for key roles.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement grounded in servant leadership.
• Cross-Functional Partnership
• Work closely with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, and Finance to ensure seamless NPI, ECO/ECN execution, and material availability.
• Introduce relevant manufacturing technologies to enhance efficiency and competitiveness.
• Performance Management
• Own plant KPIs, budgets, and variance management; leverage data to identify trends and address issues rapidly.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Business, or related field (advanced degree a plus).
• Experience:
• 10+ years in operations/manufacturing leadership within heavy or industrial equipment environments.
• 5+ years as a Plant Manager (or equivalent scope) in a >500-employee setting.
• Demonstrated success in custom fabrication / high-mix, low-to-mid volume operations (HVAC experience preferred).
• Toolset & Approach:
• Deep proficiency with Lean Manufacturing and Daily Management; proven day-to-day use of Lean tools.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills; data-driven with solid financial acumen.
• Servant leadership style with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Familiarity with quality systems, manufacturing software/MES/ERP, and relevant compliance standards.

Work Environment & Travel

• Ability to work in manufacturing settings with exposure to varying temperatures, noise, dust, chemical fumes, sharp metal, and forklift traffic.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs; climb, stoop, walk, and sit for extended periods.
• Travel: Up to ~25% to other locations as needed.

About the Company

A US manufacturer of engineered-to-order HVAC systems serving data centers, cleanrooms, and healthcare environments. The company integrates design, custom metal fabrication, assembly, and controls into complete solutions built for efficiency, reliability, and rapid deployment. This results in keeping mission-critical facilities online.