Director of Operations

Position Summary:
The Director of Operations is a critical leadership role responsible for driving operational performance
across company's engineered-to-order manufacturing environment, spanning pumps, mixers, and
custom industrial solutions.
This role carries a strong mandate for turnaround and accountability. The Director of Operations is
expected to quickly assess current gaps, implement structure, and deliver measurable improvements
in throughput, on-time delivery, labour efficiency, and overall operational discipline.
Success in this role requires a leader who can move from strategy to execution, establish control over
production processes, and build a high-performance culture across shop and office teams.
Key Mandate (First 6–12 Months)
 Stabilize and improve on-time delivery (OTD) across all product lines
 Increase production throughput and schedule adherence
 Drive accountability across Production, Planning, and Supply Chain
 Reduce rework, inefficiencies, and operational bottlenecks
 Implement clear KPIs, reporting cadence, and performance management structure
 Establish consistent production planning and capacity management discipline
 Strengthen alignment between Engineering, Sales, and Operations on project execution
 Improve labour utilization and workforce productivity
 Reinforce a culture of ownership, urgency, and execution
Key Responsibilities:
Operational Leadership & Execution
 Take full ownership of day-to-day operations across machining, fabrication, assembly, testing,
painting, and shipping
 Establish structure, discipline, and clear expectations across all operational functions
 Drive execution against production schedules and customer commitments
 Ensure alignment between operational priorities and business objectives
 May require occasional extended hours to meet operational demands
Project-Based Manufacturing Oversight
 Lead operations within an engineered-to-order / project-based environment with varying
complexity and customization
 Ensure effective coordination between Engineering, Production, and Supply Chain
 Improve project flow from order entry through to final shipment
 Identify and eliminate delays impacting project timelines
Production & Shop Floor Performance
 Maintain a strong presence on the shop floor to drive accountability and visibility
 Optimize workflow across CNC machining, welding, assembly, and finishing processes
 Identify constraints and implement solutions to improve throughput
 Standardize work processes where possible without limiting flexibility
Planning, Scheduling & Supply Chain
 Oversee production planning, scheduling, and material flow
 Implement structured capacity planning and realistic scheduling practices
 Improve coordination between procurement and production to avoid shortages and delays
 Reduce WIP congestion and improve overall flow
Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
 Lead and execute Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
 Implement practical, results-driven improvements (not theoretical frameworks)
 Establish measurable KPIs and drive performance against them
 Reduce waste, rework, and inefficiencies across all operational areas
Quality & Compliance
 Reinforce the company's ISO-aligned quality standards across operations
 Drive accountability for quality at the source
 Partner with Quality and Health & Safety to maintain compliance and reduce incidents
People Leadership & Culture
 Lead, develop, and hold accountable supervisors and managers across operations
 Build a performance-driven culture with clear expectations and consequences
 Address performance gaps directly and consistently
 Support recruitment, retention, and succession planning for key operational roles
Financial & Business Performance
 Improve operational contribution to margin, cost control, and profitability
 Monitor and manage labour efficiency, scrap, and operational costs
 Support forecasting and operational budgeting processes
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
 On-time delivery (OTD)
 Production throughput / schedule adherence
 Labour efficiency and utilization
 Scrap and rework rates
 Work-in-progress (WIP) levels
 Inventory turns
 Health & safety performance
Qualifications & Experience
 Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or related field (MBA considered an asset)
 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in industrial manufacturing
 Strong experience in engineered-to-order / project-based manufacturing environments
 Proven track record of turnaround, performance improvement, or operational transformation
 Experience in machining, fabrication, or rotating equipment manufacturing preferred
 Strong understanding of Lean manufacturing and practical continuous improvement
 Experience with ERP systems and production planning tools
Skills & Leadership Profile
 Results-driven with a strong sense of urgency and accountability
 Hands-on leader who is comfortable on the shop floor
 Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities
 Ability to challenge the status quo and drive change
 High level of ownership and follow-through
 Effective communicator across all levels of the organization
 Resilient and able to operate in a fast-paced, evolving environment
Working Conditions
Split between office and manufacturing floor
 Regular presence required on the shop floor across shifts as needed
 May require extended hours to meet operational demands