Operations Director
Key details
- Location
- Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Work style
- Onsite
- Level
- Lead / Staff+
- Experience
- 10–13 yrs
- Function
- Operations & Strategy
- Focus area
- other
- Posted
- Yesterday
Skills
capacity planningcustomer servicekaizenlean manufacturinglean six sigmaorganizational designprocess improvementsix sigmasuccession planningsupply chainworkforce planning
About the role
Summary
The Operations Director is responsible for developing and executing the operations strategy for the Jacksonville body armor manufacturing facility. This role provides site leadership across manufacturing operations, manufacturing engineering, maintenance, continuous improvement, and operational excellence to ensure safe, efficient, and scalable execution aligned with company objectives.
The Operations Director serves as a champion of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and the Cadre Operating Model, driving a culture of continuous improvement while building organizational structures, leadership capability, and operational systems that support growth and deliver exceptional customer outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and execute the operations strategy to support facility performance, growth, profitability, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence.
Lead manufacturing operations and manufacturing engineering functions to achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and productivity objectives.
Partner cross functionally with Sales, Supply Chain, Engineering, Product Development, Customer Service, Quality, and HR to align operational capabilities with business priorities.
Establish performance goals, KPIs, and accountability systems that drive results across the organization.
Lead capacity planning, labor planning, capital investment, and operational readiness for growth, new products, and facility expansion.
Champion Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and structured problem solving methodologies to improve operational performance.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on throughput, quality, lead time reduction, waste elimination, labor efficiency, and cost optimization.
Provide strategic oversight of automation, process improvement, manufacturing technology, and capital projects to enhance operational capability and scalability.
Ensure compliance with safety, quality, regulatory, customer, and environmental requirements while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
Build organizational capability through leadership development, succession planning, workforce planning, and organizational design.
Manage operational budgets and business performance through data-driven decision making, operational reviews, and corrective action planning.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, or related field required.
Master's degree preferred.
Experience
10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
5+ years leading managers and multi-functional operational organizations.
Proven experience leading manufacturing operations in a complex, high-mix manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated success implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and Operational Excellence systems.
Strong experience leading organizational transformation, culture change, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Experience managing manufacturing engineering, automation, capital projects, and process improvement programs.
Background in ballistic armor, protective equipment, defense, aerospace, composites, or similarly regulated manufacturing environments preferred.
Experience working within environments requiring strict quality, traceability, regulatory, and customer compliance standards.
Preferred Certifications
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt.
Key Competencies
Strategic thinker with a strong operational mindset.
Proven ability to lead through influence and drive cross functional alignment.
Skilled coach and developer of leaders and teams.
Builds accountability while fostering a respectful and engaged culture.
Deep understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Strong knowledge of value stream management, operational metrics, and performance systems.
Strong financial and operational decision making skills.
Ability to balance customer needs, operational capability, and business priorities.
Experience driving growth while maintaining operational discipline.
Physical & Work Environment
Regular presence on the manufacturing floor.
Ability to work around industrial equipment, materials, and PPE requirements.
Occasional travel to other company locations, suppliers, and customers.
Occasional extended hours or off-shift support based on business needs.
The Operations Director is responsible for developing and executing the operations strategy for the Jacksonville body armor manufacturing facility. This role provides site leadership across manufacturing operations, manufacturing engineering, maintenance, continuous improvement, and operational excellence to ensure safe, efficient, and scalable execution aligned with company objectives.
The Operations Director serves as a champion of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and the Cadre Operating Model, driving a culture of continuous improvement while building organizational structures, leadership capability, and operational systems that support growth and deliver exceptional customer outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and execute the operations strategy to support facility performance, growth, profitability, customer satisfaction, and operational excellence.
Lead manufacturing operations and manufacturing engineering functions to achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and productivity objectives.
Partner cross functionally with Sales, Supply Chain, Engineering, Product Development, Customer Service, Quality, and HR to align operational capabilities with business priorities.
Establish performance goals, KPIs, and accountability systems that drive results across the organization.
Lead capacity planning, labor planning, capital investment, and operational readiness for growth, new products, and facility expansion.
Champion Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and structured problem solving methodologies to improve operational performance.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on throughput, quality, lead time reduction, waste elimination, labor efficiency, and cost optimization.
Provide strategic oversight of automation, process improvement, manufacturing technology, and capital projects to enhance operational capability and scalability.
Ensure compliance with safety, quality, regulatory, customer, and environmental requirements while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
Build organizational capability through leadership development, succession planning, workforce planning, and organizational design.
Manage operational budgets and business performance through data-driven decision making, operational reviews, and corrective action planning.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, or related field required.
Master's degree preferred.
Experience
10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
5+ years leading managers and multi-functional operational organizations.
Proven experience leading manufacturing operations in a complex, high-mix manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated success implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and Operational Excellence systems.
Strong experience leading organizational transformation, culture change, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Experience managing manufacturing engineering, automation, capital projects, and process improvement programs.
Background in ballistic armor, protective equipment, defense, aerospace, composites, or similarly regulated manufacturing environments preferred.
Experience working within environments requiring strict quality, traceability, regulatory, and customer compliance standards.
Preferred Certifications
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt.
Key Competencies
Strategic thinker with a strong operational mindset.
Proven ability to lead through influence and drive cross functional alignment.
Skilled coach and developer of leaders and teams.
Builds accountability while fostering a respectful and engaged culture.
Deep understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Strong knowledge of value stream management, operational metrics, and performance systems.
Strong financial and operational decision making skills.
Ability to balance customer needs, operational capability, and business priorities.
Experience driving growth while maintaining operational discipline.
Physical & Work Environment
Regular presence on the manufacturing floor.
Ability to work around industrial equipment, materials, and PPE requirements.
Occasional travel to other company locations, suppliers, and customers.
Occasional extended hours or off-shift support based on business needs.
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