About this opportunity
Software Placement Group lists this Director Manufacturing Operations – Custom Machine Builds opportunity in addison, Illinois. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Location: Addison, IL | Schedule: Full-time, onsite five days per week | Compensation: Not specified
Overview
A global precision machine tool manufacturer that builds custom, engineered-to-order equipment for industrial, semiconductor, optics, and advanced materials customers is seeking a Director of Manufacturing Operations for its North America operation. This is a compact, well-established shop of roughly 15 people across production, machining, warehouse, and skilled trades, including machinists, machine builders, electricians, and quality inspection, supported by two in-house application labs. The business is investing in its North America footprint, including a move into a new state-of-the-art facility in Addison and a planned expansion from one shift to two, and this role will lead the operational side of both transitions while production continues uninterrupted.
What you'll do
Own all manufacturing and operational functions, including machining, assembly, production planning, inventory control, logistics, and facilities
Set operational strategy, establish KPIs, and drive continuous improvement that measurably moves productivity, quality, and delivery
Maintain alignment across Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Project Management, Sales, and Service
Own production scheduling, resource planning, inventory management, and material availability so that custom builds, customer orders, and new product introduction work are executed to commitment
Establish disciplined labor planning and capacity management, coordinating priorities across concurrent builds while proactively addressing bottlenecks, supplier risk, and forecast requirements
Lead the operational side of the facility move, including equipment relocation, layout and workflow design, and sequencing the transition to protect delivery throughout
Plan and execute the expansion to two shifts, including staffing, supervision coverage, and shift handoff practices
Ensure compliance with customer requirements and quality standards
Lead Lean, 5S, Six Sigma, and root-cause problem solving
Manage departmental P&L, operational budgets, labor utilization, manufacturing costs, and capital investment in support of gross margin
Build and develop the operations team through accountability, collaboration, and safety
Develop organizational capability, succession plans, and workforce strategy
Champion safety and operational discipline, ensuring compliance with OSHA, environmental regulations, and industry standards
Required qualifications
Manufacturing operations leadership experience in a machine tool, custom machine build, engineered-to-order, capital equipment, industrial machinery, or automation environment; candidates whose experience is exclusively high-volume or repetitive production will not be a fit
10+ years of progressive manufacturing and operations leadership, including responsibility for production, planning, inventory, supply chain, and workforce management
Demonstrated strength in production scheduling and labor planning, the central requirement of the role
Strong command of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Six Sigma, ERP/MRP systems, inventory management, and manufacturing financials
Experience leading in a small to mid-size shop, roughly 10 to 75 people on the floor, and comfort operating without a large support staff
Highly organized, strong multitasker, comfortable working hands-on
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Manufacturing, Business, or related field
Preferred qualifications
Plant startup, facility relocation, or site consolidation experience
Experience scaling an operation from one shift to two
Integration experience supporting acquisitions
Background with CNC machining, mechanical assembly, precision grinding, lapping, honing, or finishing equipment
Experience in job shop or project-based manufacturing rather than line production
Why this role
This is a build-on-a-good-foundation role, not a turnaround, where the Director sits one step from the General Manager with no layer of bureaucracy, and leads both a facility move and a shift expansion for an operation that is already well staffed with strong machinists and capable leaders in place.
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Worksite address
addison, IL, 60114, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.