Director of Operations, Powder Coating

Position Overview

SJS Industrial, a veteran‑owned media blasting, industrial painting, powder coating, and light fabrication shop in Virginia Beach, VA, serves military and maritime customers. This full‑time Director of Operations role requires relocation to Virginia Beach.

Pay

Expected salary range: $100,000 – $170,000 annually. Compensation may vary based on experience, education, skills, budget constraints, and internal equity considerations.

Benefits

• 80 hours of accumulated PTO
• 7 paid federal holidays
• 2 floating holidays
• Variety of insurance options

Responsibilities

• Responsibility for Industrial Division budget, including COGS and staffing.
• Report production activities and process improvements to senior management.
• Perform production planning and scheduling to ensure no loss of production time.
• Work with the quality control inspector to identify and pull defective work from production and route it to the rework line.
• Anticipate challenges and minimize impact through regular customer meetings or proactive feedback gathering.
• Identify and target new market share opportunities with existing customers by co‑developing roadmaps, RFPs/RFQs, managing proposals, and negotiating deals.
• Maintain contact with customers to ensure satisfaction, resolve issues, and implement new solutions.
• Collaborate with Sales Account Executives to identify and develop potential new clients through outbound calls, office visits, and networking.
• Ensure long‑term relationships with commercial and industrial clients in the Hampton Roads region needing paint, ceramic coating, and powder coating services.
• Maintain communications with SJS employees regarding company updates.
• Demonstrate a strategic approach to new and existing customers through opportunity planning.
• Provide data input into Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to support duties.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Degree in Industrial Engineering, Industrial Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field; or, for veterans, evidence of comparable education/training (e.g., DD 214).
• 10+ years of experience as a Production Supervisor or Industrial Production Manager, overseeing a crew of 10 or more.
• Strong leadership background.
• Proven ability to lead teams in high‑stress environments.
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification preferred; other safety knowledge accepted.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and support other departments.
• Extreme attention to detail with data‑driven analysis and recommendations.
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to resolve conflicts while balancing multiple priorities.
• ISO‑9000 experience in defect elimination, waste reduction, continuous process improvement, and efficiency preferred.
• Must pass drug test and background check.