Director, Manufacturing Operations
About Bell and Howell
Bell and Howell delivers technology-driven Automation Services and Automation Solutions that help businesses optimize performance, reduce downtime, and improve customer experiences. Our Automation Services bring a dedicated team of expert mechatronic service engineers completely covering North America and backed by our Integrated 360™ advanced technology enabling remote repair, diagnostics, automated SmartOps Dispatch™ and 24/7/365 technical assistance for our clients. We provide a comprehensive and certified level of support for thousands of diversified clients. Our Automated Solutions product portfolio consists of next-generation equipment delivering best-in-class performance enhancing workflow efficiency and elevating customer experiences across multiple markets including retail, pharmaceuticals, packaging, mail production, ecommerce and manufacturing – all backed by the best service in the industry.
Position Title
Director, Manufacturing Operations
Location
Durham, NC
Job Summary
The Director, Manufacturing Operations is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and strategic direction of Bell and Howell's manufacturing operations, including Manufacturing Engineering, Integration, Assembly, Production Operations, and Continuous Improvement activities. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer and serving as a key member of the leadership team, this position is accountable for achieving operational and financial objectives through the effective management of manufacturing resources, inventory, labor, quality, productivity, capital investments, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Director partners closely with Finance, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Service Operations, and Executive Leadership to ensure manufacturing operations support the company's strategic growth objectives while delivering exceptional customer satisfaction, operational excellence, and profitability.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Making all decisions regarding the manufacturing operations, including Manufacturing Engineering, Integration, Assembly, Testing, and Production activities.
Developing and executing short- and long-term manufacturing strategies aligned with company goals and financial objectives.
Establishing operational goals, performance metrics, and accountability measures to drive safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost performance.
Safeguarding manufacturing resources, staffing levels, equipment, and processes to meet customer demand and business requirements.
Leading Lean Manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence initiatives throughout the organization.
Promoting a culture of accountability, ownership, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.
Managing manufacturing financial performance, including labor productivity, manufacturing costs, inventory management, and operational efficiency.
Developing, managing, and monitoring annual operating budgets and capital expenditure plans.
Identifying and executing cost reduction initiatives while maintaining quality and customer service standards.
Maintaining key financial and operational metrics, including:
- Labor efficiency
- Manufacturing absorption
- Inventor turns
- Cost of quality
- Scrap and rework
- Manufacturing cycle time
- On-time delivery
- Working capital performance
Partnering with Finance to support forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis, and strategic planning activities.
Evaluating capital equipment investments and manufacturing technologies to maximize productivity and return on investment.
Collaborating with Engineering and Product Development teams during design reviews to improve manufacturability, quality, reliability, and cost effectiveness.
Leading manufacturing readiness activities for new product introductions, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships.
Developing manufacturing plans including workflow design, labor content, tooling requirements, facility layout, and production strategies.
Supporting Sales, Service Operations, and Customer Support teams to ensure customer commitments are achieved.
Resolving manufacturing-related customer concerns and implementing corrective actions as needed.
Participating in Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SIOP) activities to align manufacturing capacity with business demand.
Building organizational capability through workforce planning, succession planning, and employee development initiatives.
Establishing performance expectations and holding teams accountable for results.
Coordinating technical training, leadership development, and continuous improvement education programs.
Fostering employee engagement and maintaining a positive, high-performance work environment.
Identifying opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste, improve quality, and streamline operations.
Leading operational improvement projects that support growth, scalability, and profitability.
Developing and implementing best practices across manufacturing operations.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Direct: Up to 35, or as required by the business
Competencies (Skills, Knowledge And Abilities)
Strong manufacturing and operational leadership capabilities.
Strong financial and business acumen.
Ability to analyze operational and financial data and translate insights into actionable business decisions.
Excellent communication, presentation, and executive-level influencing skills.
Strong project management, planning, and organizational abilities.
Ability to drive change and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
Experience with ERP/MRP systems, manufacturing analytics, and operational reporting tools.
Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and leadership skills.
Education And Experience
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
Master’s degree preferred.
Minimum of 10 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
Minimum of 5 years leading managers, engineers, supervisors, and cross-functional operational teams.
Experience managing operational budgets, capital expenditures, and manufacturing financial performance.
Physical Requirements
Ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments.
Ability to walk manufacturing facilities and inspect operations regularly.
Ability to operate standard office equipment and computer systems.
Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
Ability to travel as business needs require.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Bell and Howell is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is company policy to administer employment based solely on an individual’s qualifications, ability and performance without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed servicemember status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.