Director of Operations

Key Responsibilities

• Map every step in the production and test process across all product families.
  • Build a data-driven perspective to eliminate, automate internally, or outsource to a contract manufacturer.
  • Identify and challenge processes that add labor cost without adding value.
  • Produce a transition roadmap with timelines, cost projections, and resource requirements.
  • Continuously revisit this analysis as products evolve and as automation and CM capabilities mature.
• Own governance of NetSuite item masters, BOM hierarchies, and part numbering standards.
  • Maintain reliable WIP tracking and inventory valuation that finance can trust for reporting and planning.
  • Manage supplier relationships and competitive bidding processes to drive cost reduction.
  • Strengthen quality processes oriented toward Contract Manufacturer readiness: incoming inspection, in-process verification, final test protocols, supplier quality audit capability.
  • Own production scheduling and on-time delivery.
  • Manage the operations budget with a focus on cost reduction and building the financial case for outsourced manufacturing.
  • Coordinate with engineering on NPI production readiness — ensuring new products have cost targets, sourcing plans, and production schedules before launch.
  • Partner with the commercial team on order management, lead time commitments, and customer delivery expectations.
  • Cook with finance on inventory valuation, costing, and operational budgeting.
  • Coordinate with finance on inventory valuation and operational budgeting.
  • Own the operations budget with a focus on cost reduction and the financial case for outsourced manufacturing.
• Partner with the VP of Engineering to design and implement automated test methods throughout the production process, from incoming raw material QA/QC to product-level final acceptance.
  • Ensure test specifications are documented and transferable.
• Work directly with the VP of Engineering to embed Design for Manufacturing, Design for Test, and Design for Automation into the product development process.
  • Provide manufacturing and process feedback during engineering stage-gate reviews to catch DFM issues before they reach production.
  • Collaborate on SKU rationalization and component standardization to reduce complexity across the product portfolio.
• Partner with the commercial team on sales & operational planning, demand signals, and warranty/service cost management.
  • Manage the operations budget with a focus on cost reduction and the financial case for outsourced manufacturing.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive operations leadership experience in precision instruments, scientific equipment, or similar high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environments.
• Direct experience managing a contract manufacturing transition — from vendor selection through pilot production to full-scale handoff.
• Hands-on experience with NetSuite, including BOM management, WIP tracking, and inventory control.
• Experience developing automated test methods and fixtures for production environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or Master’s in Engineering/Operations.
• Familiarity with S&OP, demand planning, and sales-operations alignment processes.

Benefits

• Salary range: $150,000 - $180,000 annual base.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance with low deductibles and premiums paid by company 99% for self and 50% for dependents and/or spouse.
• 401K with company match (no vesting period).
• Generous culture around time off, including:
• Unlimited PTO
• 6 days of sick time per year
• 11 paid company holidays per year
• up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave (gender neutral) including adoptions