Director of Operations & People

Western Suburbs of Chicago, IL (Targeting $180K, Benefits include Health, Vision/Dental and 401k)

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About the Role

Our client is a private equity sponsor seeking a Director of Operations & People for one of its manufacturing and distribution portfolio companies. This is a hands-on, integrator-style role that sits at the intersection of execution, culture, and transformation. The ideal candidate will bring operational discipline and people strategy under one roof which will help leadership move from reactive to intentional without adding layers of bureaucracy.

This is not a traditional HR or Ops role. It’s built for someone who understands how small improvements create compounding impact and who wants to drive change inside a growing business that still moves fast.

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Key Responsibilities

Operations

• Streamline workflows across order management, supply chain, and customer service

• Eliminate bottlenecks by aligning teams, tools, and expectations

• Own core business metrics and help leadership build a rhythm of accountability

• Lead process improvement initiatives tied to visibility, efficiency, and margin

People

• Oversee the full employee lifecycle: onboarding, performance, development, retention

• Build simple tools and systems that scale without red tape

• Support managers through feedback, coaching, and employee relations

• Strengthen culture through structure, clarity, and execution

Leadership Alignment

• Partner with site leaders and ownership to translate portfolio priorities into tactical action

• Serve as a bridge between strategy and day-to-day execution

• Elevate internal communication, cross-functional collaboration, and organizational visibility

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What You Bring

• 8+ years in operations, HR, or general management in a manufacturing or distribution setting

• Experience inside a PE-backed or post-founder environment is a strong plus

• Known for balancing business acumen with approachability

• Track record of leading change in real time

• Comfortable being both the driver and the glue inside a growing business

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Why It’s a Fit

You’re not looking for a title. You’re looking for a seat at the table. This role puts you in daily partnership with leadership while giving you the room to lead with impact. If you’ve been the “go-to” inside a business going through change and want to own more of the system, this might be the move. Apply here or reach out with any questions.

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