Senior Director of Operations

About the Role

At Kenson Plastics, our operations aren't just about output—they are about precision, scale, and uncompromising quality. As our Senior Director of Operations, you will step in as a vital leader to drive manufacturing excellence, strategic planning, and continuous improvement across every operational facet. This role requires a hands-on, visionary strategist who can scale production capabilities, champion innovative plastics manufacturing processes, and ensure shop-floor execution directly aligns with our broader business trajectory. We are looking for an execution-focused leader with a proven background in custom plastics or advanced manufacturing environments who excels at optimizing supply chain workflows, elevating product quality, and cultivating a high-performance culture rooted in accountability and safety. This is an onsite role in our Beaver Falls facility.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Resource + Environmental Planning: Partner directly with executive leadership to assess, advocate for, and allocate the technological, capital, and environmental resources required to fuel scalable manufacturing operations and maintain a secure work environment.
• Cross-Functional Operations Leadership: Direct and champion comprehensive operational strategies by leading cross-functional teams, leveraging data-driven insights to uncover efficiency gains, and enforcing rigorous compliance with industry regulations and internal standards.
• Long-Term Operational Vision + Risk Management: Formulate and execute forward-looking operational strategies aligned with overarching enterprise goals, proactively identifying market opportunities, supply chain shifts, and operational risks.
• Talent Development + Culture Building: Mentor, coach, and elevate department leaders across the organization, fostering a high-performance culture anchored in cross-departmental collaboration, personal accountability, and continuous professional growth.
• Process Optimization + Cost Minimization: Spearhead continuous improvement initiatives by analyzing operational bottlenecks, re-engineering workflows, and driving sustainable cost reductions without ever compromising product integrity.
• Performance Metrics + KPI Management: Establish, track, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure shopfloor and departmental effectiveness, utilizing real-time data to pivot tactical execution and drive continuous improvement.
• Financial Stewardship + Budgeting: Design, manage, and oversee comprehensive operational budgets, maintaining strict cost control, optimizing capital expenditure, and ensuring disciplined resource allocation across all functional areas.
• Compliance, Safety, + Quality Assurance: Maintain uncompromising standards of regulatory compliance and internal governance, enforcing rigorous protocols regarding workplace safety, environmental health, and quality assurance.

Requirements

• BA or BS degree in a science, engineering, or quality field (or equivalent operational experience).
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive leadership experience in operations management, with at least 5 years operating in a manager-level or higher capacity within manufacturing environments.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience navigating complex operational challenges, supply chain dynamics, and regulatory standards specific to manufacturing or advanced industrial sectors.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully directing, mentoring, and scaling large, cross-functional teams across production, maintenance, and administrative departments.
• Proven experience driving data-backed process optimization and aligning long-term operational strategies with overarching enterprise goals.
• Past experience operating within a union environment is highly preferred.