Director of Operations (Multi-Site Manufacturing)

Director of Operations (Multi-Site Manufacturing & Platform Execution)

Location: Decatur, AL or Watertown, SD (Hybrid / Travel Required)

Job Type: Full-time

Schedule: Monday to Friday (with flexibility for travel)

About the Role

We are seeking an executive-level Director of Operations to lead manufacturing operations across our primary facilities in Decatur, Alabama and Watertown, South Dakota (totaling ~200 production employees).

Our company is actively executing a focused M&A strategy with specific target acquisitions designed to expand market share and capture operational synergies. To support this growth, implementation of a standardized enterprise operating platform is already underway across both existing locations, including ERP and HR software standardization.

The Director of Operations will own the ongoing execution and continuous refinement of this platform—ensuring seamless adoption, sustaining floor-level discipline, and refining our operational playbook so that future target acquisitions can be rapidly integrated into our standardized tech stack and operating framework.

The ideal candidate excels at driving process execution, enforcing standard work, and sustaining performance through structured management cadences anchored by four core outcomes: Uncompromised Safety, On-Time Delivery, Top-Tier Quality, and Profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Platform Implementation & Standardization: Roll out and embed our standardized operating platform and optimized workflows across Decatur, AL and Watertown, SD, eliminating site-to-site variability and driving lean process compliance.
• M&A / Acquisition Readiness: Refine operational playbooks, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and cadence structures so that future manufacturing acquisitions can be rapidly onboarded and integrated into our platform. Execute post-merger operational integration strategies for target acquisitions.
• Core Operational Pillars: Drive relentless focus and daily accountability around four non-negotiable operational standards: Safety: Cultivate a zero-harm safety culture with proactive hazard management and strict EHS compliance, On-Time Delivery (OTD): Optimize workflow, scheduling, and capacity planning to consistently exceed customer expectations, Quality: Implement standardized quality control frameworks to eliminate defects and rework at the source, Profitability: Drive throughput, labor efficiency, yield improvements, and cost discipline to expand plant margins.
• Management Cadences & Execution: Establish structured operational cadences (daily standups, weekly scorecard reviews, monthly performance audits, and quarterly strategy sessions) to sustain long-term performance gains.
• Multi-Site Leadership: Lead, mentor, and hold accountable plant management teams, department leads, and a ~200-person production workforce across both facilities.
• Visible Leadership & Travel: Travel regularly between Decatur, AL and Watertown, SD—as well as future acquisition sites as our footprint expands—to maintain a visible shop-floor presence, conduct operational audits, align site cultures, and ensure consistent platform adoption.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: 7+ years of progressive operations leadership experience in manufacturing (Director, Sr. Operations Manager, or Plant Manager level).
• Multi-Plant Leadership Preferred: Direct experience managing multiple geographic production sites.
• Systems & Software Proficiency: Hands-on experience working with standard enterprise platforms; familiarity or experience with NetSuite (or similar ERP systems) and ADP is highly preferred.
• Platform & Systems Execution: Proven track record of implementing standardized operating systems, lean workflows, SOPs, and governance frameworks across multiple facilities.
• Acquisition/Scaling Experience: Familiarity with playbook integration, multi-site harmonization, or operational scaling through acquisitions is highly desirable.
• Cadence & Metric Focus: Strong track record in driving performance across Safety (EHS), OTD, First-Pass Yield, and EBITDA/Profitability.
• Travel Flexibility: Willingness and ability to travel up to 35%–50% between Decatur, AL, Watertown, SD, and future acquisition sites.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $145,000 – $175,000/year (commensurate with experience)
• Performance Incentive: Up to 20%+ annual bonus based on plant profitability, OTD, quality, and safety milestones
• Benefits: Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance; 401(k) with Company Match; Paid Time Off & Holidays
• Travel & Mobility: Corporate travel support, meal per diems, and travel allowance
• Growth: High-visibility executive growth potential as our facility footprint expands

Pay: $155,000.00 - $175,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Manufacturing management: 7 years (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Required)

Work Location: In person