Director of Operations

About the role

Curries (an ASSA ABLOY company) is looking for a Director of Operations. This role will be based on-site at our manufacturing facility located in Mason City, Iowa.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute a KPI-driven operations strategy aligned with business objectives, financial goals, growth initiatives, and long-term capacity needs.
• Promote a strong safety-first culture while ensuring compliance with OSHA, company standards, regulatory requirements, company policies, and the ASSA ABLOY Code of Conduct.
• Own operational financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, cost control, capital planning, labor, materials, inventory, and operating expenses.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, root cause analysis, process optimization, standardization, automation, and year-over-year performance improvement.
• Maintain a visible presence on the production floor, engaging with teams across shifts to remove barriers, solve problems in real time, and reinforce accountability.
• Lead daily operational management systems, including Gemba walks, KPI reviews, 5S, safety engagement activities, audits, corrective actions, and performance metrics.
• Oversee end-to-end production and logistics flow, including capacity planning, production scheduling, inventory management, distribution, warehouse operations, freight strategies, and service-level performance.
• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing operations leadership team while partnering with HR on workforce planning, talent development, succession planning, organizational design, employee relations, and performance management.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with customer service, order management, engineering, quality, supply chain, commercial teams, and other Door Group locations to support customer expectations, sales objectives, and network-wide best practices.
• Perform special assignments and projects as assigned.
• Actively participate in providing a safe and harmonious working environment for all employees.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or related field required; Master’s Degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive operational leadership experience with proven results delivered through teams.
• Manufacturing leadership experience with strong business and financial acumen, including P&L, cost control, productivity, budgeting, forecasting, and capital planning.
• Proven ability to drive KPI performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement.
• Strong background in Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, continuous improvement, root cause analysis, process optimization, and advancing manufacturing technologies.
• Strong understanding of OSHA, state/federal regulations, company standards, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with capacity planning, production scheduling, workforce planning, logistics, inventory management, and operations systems.
• Leadership presence with the ability to coach, develop, influence, and build accountable, high-performing teams.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, communication, presentation, interpersonal, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, results-driven environment.
• High level of comfort and passion for being present on the production floor across all shifts, including weekends and off-hours as needed.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), AI, Business Objects, and other business systems.

Qualifications

• Must live in or relocate within three months to the Mason City, IA area.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%.

Skills

• Business Administration
• Engineering
• Lean Manufacturing
• Kaizen
• Continuous Improvement
• Root Cause Analysis
• Process Optimization
• Automation
• Capacity Planning
• Production Scheduling
• Workforce Planning
• Logistics
• Inventory Management
• Operations Systems

Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and paid Company Holidays
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Short and Long-term Disability, Life and AD&D Insurance
• 401(k) Program with company contributions
• Tuition Reimbursement, Learning and Career Development opportunities
• Flexible Spending
• Employee Assistance Program
• Gym reimbursement
• On-site Health Clinic
• Discount portal
• Recognition, well-being, and employee experience programs designed to support and celebrate you throughout your career

Pay

Competitive Salary

Schedule

Flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of the position and the team.

Contact

To apply, please email Stephanie Mandato, Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at Stephanie.mandato@assaabloy.com

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage applications from everyone who can see themselves working with us.