Director, Plant Assembly Operations

About the role

The Director of Plant Operations is a senior leader within the plant leadership team, responsible for driving operational strategy and leading the execution of all manufacturing operations across a multi-shift environment. This highly visible role oversees performance in safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and efficiency while building a culture centered on accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Making a difference: Manufacturing Operations Lead and drive operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, productivity, and capital investment initiatives at the Decatur facility while supporting broader appliance operations.
• Supporting new product line implementations while maintaining operational excellence.
• Championing a strong safety culture and ensuring compliance with all environmental, health, and safety policies and procedures.
• Maintaining the highest standards for product quality, manufacturing integrity, and operational consistency.
• Fostering positive and consistent union and employee relations across the organization.
• Driving collaboration and team-based problem solving throughout operations.
• Leading all aspects of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), including equipment availability, efficiency, and scrap reduction.
• Partnering with Facilities and Maintenance teams to support and drive Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) initiatives.
• Promoting and leading Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives across plant operations.
• Driving measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, and process efficiency.
• Ensuring consistent implementation of Lean tools, workshops, and operational excellence programs.
• Building a culture of employee engagement and continuous learning focused on operational improvement and waste reduction.
• Leading the development and execution of the Factory Master Plan and operational improvement roadmap.
• Leading training and development efforts to strengthen organizational capability at all levels.

Leadership & Business Partnership

• Providing strong leadership and direction to manufacturing teams to achieve operational goals and business objectives.
• Monitoring and improving Assembly Yield, labor efficiency, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) performance.
• Establishing a strong operating rhythm and driving communication, accountability, and recognition throughout the plant.
• Partnering with Finance and senior leadership to align operational goals with financial performance targets.
• Communicating plant strategy, operational performance, and key initiatives to executive leadership.
• Supporting site environmental compliance efforts and driving sustainability initiatives focused on resource efficiency and waste reduction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or technical related field, or management.
• Minimum 10+ years in progressive manufacturing or technical leadership roles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong manufacturing operational background and understanding.
• Relevant experience leading multiple shifts within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, develop, grow, and maintain skilled teams.
• Fluent with Lean manufacturing principles.
• Strong communication skills – will be expected to communicate to all levels of the organization (from the plant floor up to executive staff members).
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of deliverables and drive decisions based on the overall goals of the company.
• Strong understanding of employee relations and maintaining a positive employee relations environment.
• Experience implementing and/or operating under Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) system.