Scope of Position

The Director of Operations is a key member of the senior leadership team, responsible for directing and optimizing all aspects of manufacturing operations to meet delivery, quality, safety, and financial objectives. This role oversees production strategies, budget management, compliance, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure operational excellence and long-term business success. The Director of Operations will provide leadership across multiple teams, balancing day-to-day execution with strategic planning, while maintaining alignment with customer, government, and regulatory requirements.

Schedule: This role follows a 9/80 work schedule, providing every other Friday off.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily manufacturing operations, ensuring on-time delivery, quality standards, and financial performance targets are achieved.
• Develop, manage, and monitor departmental budgets, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.
• Collaborate as a member of the senior leadership team to define strategic direction and contribute to business growth
• Establish production strategic goals and integrate them into the annual operating plan and long-term (5-year) business plan.
• Partner with Product Value Stream Leaders to drive production scheduling and resource optimization across manufacturing areas.
• Participate as a Plant Process Control Board (PPCB) member, overseeing and approving all changes to manufacturing processes.
• Ensure all operations comply with state and federal safety, health, and environmental requirements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government representatives, customers, and strategic suppliers.
• Collaborate with R&D and Modernization teams to align future production capabilities with evolving business needs.
• Champion a culture of safety, continuous improvement, and operational excellence across all levels of the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 12+ years of relevant experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Proven leadership experience in manufacturing or production management.
• Demonstrated success in program/project management, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, and reporting.
• Strong team leadership with the ability to align diverse perspectives and drive results across departments.
• Highly effective management and people development skills to provide clear oversight, guidance, and vision.
• Expertise in staffing strategies to ensure resources meet workload and production demands.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges.
• Advanced communication skills to articulate complex or sensitive information across all levels of the organization.
• Experience negotiating with collective bargaining groups and/or strategic partners to achieve operational outcomes.

Preferred Education, Experience & Skills

• Graduate degree (MBA, MS, or equivalent) and/or relevant professional certifications.
• Experience in chemistry, chemical processing, or chemical engineering/manufacturing.
• Prior experience in the defense industry.
• Knowledge of military specifications for explosives, hazardous material transport requirements, and DOT regulations.
• Experience in Process Safety Management (PSM) and OSHA requirements for hazardous chemicals.
• Familiarity with unionized environments.