What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Manufacturing position at Grey Search + Strategy?
About Us
We are a Minnesota-based company specializing in the development and production of safe and effective antimicrobial products utilizing hypochlorous acid technology. We manufacture high quality over-the-counter consumer products aimed at promoting health and hygiene in an FDA-regulated and ISO 13485-certified environment.
Position Summary
Our Director of Manufacturing will be responsible for leading production operations to enhance efficiency, profitability, and overall operational excellence. This role will oversee all aspects of manufacturing, including production processes, facility layout, capital investments, operational efficiencies, warehouse and inventory management, workforce planning, and key manufacturing metrics. The ideal candidate is a strategic leader with expertise in lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies, dedicated to optimizing throughput, expanding capacity, and driving continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Manufacturing Operations Leadership: Oversee and manage daily manufacturing operations across three production lines, ensuring compliance with FDA and ISO 13485 regulations.
- Liquid Product Manufacturing: Ensure the efficient production of liquid-based products, including batching, mixing, and quality control, maintaining consistency and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Bottling, Labeling & Kitting: Oversee bottling, labeling, and kitting processes to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and quality in final product packaging and fulfillment.
- Efficiency and Process Improvement: Identify and implement process improvements to enhance output, reduce waste, and increase profitability using lean manufacturing and 6S methodologies.
- Facility Layout & Capital Investment: Assist in planning and optimizing facility layout and oversee capital investment initiatives to support future growth and operational excellence.
- Labor & Headcount Planning: Develop workforce strategies to ensure adequate staffing and resource allocation to meet production demands.
- Warehouse & Inventory Management: Ensure efficient inventory management, material flow, and warehouse organization to support seamless production.
- Manufacturing Metrics & KPI Development: Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure efficiency, productivity, and overall manufacturing performance.
- Throughput & Capacity Optimization: Analyze and enhance throughput capabilities to improve manufacturing capacity while maintaining quality and cost-effectiveness.
- Leadership & Team Development: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing manufacturing and production team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
- 7 years of experience in a manufacturing leadership role, preferably within an FDA and ISO 13485-regulated environment.
- Proven expertise in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and 6S implementation.
- Experience in facility layout planning, capital investments, and process automation.
- Direct experience in liquid product manufacturing, bottling, labeling, and kitting operations preferred.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
- Excellent leadership and team-building abilities with a track record of driving performance improvements.
- Knowledge of warehouse and inventory management best practices.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work cross-functionally.
