Director of Manufacturing Operations

At AIS we're excited about what the future of the Human Machine eXperience (HMX) offers and are directly impacting this with our diverse portfolio of electro-mechanical assembles and immersive products across virtual reality, electronic wearables, infection control products, medical & industrial display interfaces and touchscreens. We're looking for smart, motivated, individuals who embrace an entrepreneurial spirit.

Job Summary:

The Director of Manufacturing Operations is a key leadership role that demands dynamic and effective leadership to foster operational excellence and optimize outcomes within the organization. We are actively seeking an individual with a high-energy approach, robust leadership skills, and a proven history of guiding teams towards exceptional results. The ideal candidate should exhibit a process-driven mindset, possess a strong background in multisite manufacturing operations, and showcase expertise in implementing Lean process philosophy. This role requires broad business knowledge, strategic thinking, technical acumen, and exceptional communication skills.

In addition to driving change and focusing on cash flow maximization, the Director of Manufacturing Operations is expected to have a comprehensive understanding of product transfer, supply chain management, electronics manufacturing, and lean practices. The successful candidate will have a track record of leading sites in North America and Taiwan, demonstrating strategic thinking with a global perspective.

As part of this role, there is responsibility for providing leadership, management, and vision to meet ambitious execution and growth goals. The objective is to drive profitable growth through a heightened focus on improving the organization's manufacturing disciplines, metrics, and culture, leading to performance improvements in established facilities. Your responsibilities will encompass direct oversight of Plant operations and Plant Managers in current and future locations within the product portfolio. This role involves deploying corporate strategic initiatives such as lean/six sigma, budgeting, full P&L responsibility, capital spending oversight, customer relationship management, and more.

Key Responsibilities:

Operations Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive operational strategy aligned with the company's vision and goals, focusing on enhancing manufacturing processes, quality control, supply chain optimization and cost controls. Utilizing current SIOP, and Lean practices is a must.
• Leverage expertise in current manufacturing methodologies to drive process innovation and Lean manufacturing principles to increase productivity, reduce waste and ensure consistent product quality.
• Drive excellence across the Operation organization.
• Drive a culture of performance at all levels of the operations team.
• Define key performance indicators for operations, facilities, quality and safety teams, track performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Leverage world-class manufacturing operations standards.
• Institute Continuous Improvement initiatives and programs utilizing various visual and lean principles.
• Work closely with, managers, and key employees to continuously identify weaker areas needing support and proactively set corrective action.
• Partner effectively with Engineering, R&D, Sales, Finance and Materials Purchasing to align manufacturing requirements with customer needs and contribute to strategic decision-making.
• Prefer hands-on experience with plastic injection molding processes, elastomeric molding, metal machining, touch display and touchscreen manufacturing preferred.
• Ability to lead manufacturing engineers to impact DFx as well as implement automation tools and processes.
• Drive the development of capital plans ensuring compelling and credible capital expense project proposals in partnership with Materials Purchasing, Finance and Facilities and ensure timely and on budget execution of capital projects.
• Collaborate with Quality Control to develop and maintain rigorous quality assurance protocols, ensuring that ISO standards and processes are enforced.
• Lead HSSE with a focus on developing a world-class safety culture and experience in Process Safety Management and Risk Management Program requirements and compliance.
• Ensure all compliance needs are met, including supporting and enforcing quality system and regulatory policies, work instructions, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Talent Development:

• Provide leadership and mentoring to develop a high performing manufacturing, shop floor, and operations management team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Lead by example.
• Foster the professional development of key managers and employees in a proactive, results-oriented environment.
• Offer strong leadership, guidance and mentoring to foster a highly positive and proactive collaboration in local business activities.
• Ensure continuous development, training, and support of reporting plant teams and their key subordinates in production and other functional manufacturing areas.
• Ensure that staff development is closely monitored in all locations, and that effective succession programs are in place for each plant location.

Candidate Requirements:

All candidates must possess a solid operational track record, exceptional leadership abilities, a customer service focus, and a mindset geared toward continuous improvement and lean practices.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Engineering or Operations Management related field strongly preferred; advanced degree preferred
• 8-10+ years of leadership experience in manufacturing environments with roll-up-the sleeves mentality where finished goods production is outsourced overseas, as well as internally vertically integrated.
• Solid financial acumen
• Demonstrable operational excellence track record with a strong quality and HSSE background.
• Demonstrable experience and ability to collaborate and lead high performance teams in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment.
• Experience leading teams in environments with a strong mix of manual labor, assembly, and automation, utilizing Lean Six Sigma principles.
• Successful and demonstrable change management track record in a middle market environment.
• Familiarity with compliance and certification requirement in a variety of industries - UL, CE, BA, FDA, FCC, et al.
• Strong understanding and extensive experience working with APAC suppliers.
• Prior private equity-backed experience preferred.

Role Specific Requirements

• Operational career path with experience in manufacturing, driving productivity, establishing professional processes, KPIs, lean manufacturing principles and systems and organizational development.
• In-depth knowledge of state-of-the art manufacturing methodologies, automation technologies and quality management systems in a continuous batch and highly qualified materials supply chain.
• Successful experience developing and executing a plan for operational transformation, increasing capacity, profitability and growth.
• Proven successful change manager with extensive experience driving to high performance, engaged workforce, operations culture.
• Multi-site / multi-plant operations leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience in engineering excellence, including managing capital projects, automation, capacity expansions, new site developments and scale up of new products, as well as preventive maintenance and reliability improvements.
• Strong HSSE orientation, with a focus on developing a world-class safety culture and experience in Process Safety Management and Risk Management Program requirements and compliance.
• Experience establishing excellent purchasing and supply chain practices and systems.
• Proficiency with ERP and/or warehouse management systems, such as Syteline is preferred.
• Significant post-acquisition M&A integration experience.

General Requirements

• Strategic mind-set with the capacity to contribute to business planning and long-term strategy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data driven approach to decision-making.
• Strong working knowledge of data analysis and operational performance metrics.
• Eagerness to engage with cross-functional teams and staff at all levels to drive performance and achievement of goals.
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced, demanding, lean organization.
• Cultural fit, adaptability and credibility: must be able to readily relate to, and earn credibility with, a variety of stakeholders, including manufacturing, engineering, financial and commercial professionals, and hourly employees
• Extreme dedication to customer service.
• Results-driven and proven experience outperforming against objectives.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Excel and other job-related software/e-technology/cloud-based solutions.
• The highest standards of personal and professional integrity are assumed.

Must be a US Person. This is not a remote position.

Please note: this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AIS is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply.