Director of Operations

Overall Responsibilities:

The Director of Operations (LEER – EAST) is responsible for daily operations. He/she will plan, organize, and direct the overall operation of the facility to ensure a high level of effectiveness to attain and satisfy Customer Demand. The function will lead operational improvements along with increasing optimal production output. It is responsible to lead, coach, and mentor employees to new levels of skills, capabilities, and performance. This Leader will model a commitment to Safety and Quality throughout the facility and realize a significant impact to LEER GROUP business as part of the senior management team. This individual will analyze operational business trends, implement metrics (KPI) to monitor progress, implement Corrective Action as required and provide adequate reporting to LEER GROUP Corp.

Plant Manager Experience Required***

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establish a Safety driven, Performance Based business culture to ensure a Safe and Employee friendly work environment resulting in a highly motivated work team.
• Lead and direct Customer Service levels through high performance on-time delivery rates and Internal Customer Service activity.
• Establish Market Leader Product Quality standards on all products manufactured within the facility. World Class Quality.
• Personally drive the Continuous Improvement Culture through implementation of PPS and other Lean techniques.
• Manage strict adherence to spending budgets in all departments and implement corrective action as required to ensure sound spending practices.
• Assist in generating annual business plans with the Plant Controller.
• Responsible to drive and create Revenue Opportunities through Operational means and support the Sales Function appropriately.
• Reviews and approves Production Scheduling to support Customer Demand.
• Direct and controls labor efficiency, material efficiency, transportation, engineering effectiveness, customer service, and order entry efficiency, along with human utilization.
• Reviews performance against operating plans and standards. Provides reports as required and manage required action to ensure sound business practices.
• Presents weekly/monthly reports on performance as requested.
• Defines and recommends objectives in each area of Operations. Develops specific short-term and long-term plans and programs geared toward operational excellence.
• Actively supporting the Company policies, procedures, and workplace rules including environmental, health, and safety objectives. Promote universal and continuous improvement in these areas.
• Deliver profitability objectives through sound resource allocation decision and manage production costs by controlled divisional spending.
• Overseeing hiring, employee relations, and employee development activities, ensuring and effective and productive workforce.
• Maintain operational lines of communication to facilitate efficiency while enhancing the spirit of teamwork throughout the corporation’s different departments and divisions.
• Exhibit exceptional OPEX knowhow and a passion for Lean with a relentless pursuit of Continuous Improvement.
• Conform to all SOX policies and procedures.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate department staff.
• Other duties as assigned or needed.

Characteristics and skills:

• Boots on the ground type of guy (very hands-on) accustomed to wearing many hats in an entrepreneurial “fast-paced” environment
• A strong operational leader who spends 70% of the day directly on the production floor
• Expertise in lean principles and the strategic and tactical application of appropriate tools – demonstrated ability to use and effectively instruct in the proper use of lean principles such as value stream mapping, kaizen, 5S, poka-yoke, heijunka, SMED, etc.
• Dynamic, polished, high energy, focused, and driven. Very sharp, innovative, and accustomed to “figuring it out”
• Ability to motivate teams to produce in tight timeframes while managing several projects simultaneously
• Ability to effectively communicate and facilitate through encouragement, motivation and inspiration at all levels of the organization

Educational and other requirements:

• B.A. or B.S. degree in Business or Engineering required
• 10 years related experience in a senior-level manufacturing operations roll with a strong level of financial acumen
• Smaller labor-intensive manufacturing environment. Will need to be extremely hands-on
• Composite material knowledge (resign, fiberglass) and manufacturing methods; open molding, paint, metal, etc., is a plus
• Automotive aftermarket industry experience a plus
• A true “team-oriented” leader that embraces the idea that he/she is a “go-to” person
• Expertise with ERP systems (JDE is a plus)
• Domestic travel 10% - International 5%

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