Director of Production

Mission

As a senior leadership role, the Director of Production is responsible for the strategic and day-to-day oversight of production, inventory control, and manufacturing planning functions. This role ensures operational efficiency, product quality, and timely delivery across all manufacturing activities. The Director fosters cross‑functional collaboration and continuous improvement in alignment with Ocean Sonics' values and business strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Production Leadership

• Develop and execute integrated operational strategies across production, inventory management, and manufacturing planning.
• Set departmental KPIs and performance benchmarks aligned with organizational goals.
• Lead capacity planning, demand forecasting, and resource optimization to support current and future growth.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee end-to-end production operations, including scheduling, workflow execution, and reporting.
• Direct inventory control processes to ensure accuracy, traceability, and alignment with supply chain needs.
• Manage manufacturing planning activities to optimize material availability, minimize lead times, and balance workloads.

People Leadership & Team Development

• Build and lead a high-performing production team, including leaders in production, planning, and inventory.
• Foster a values-based culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Guide succession planning, cross‑training, and staff development programs to enhance flexibility and engagement.

Product and Process Innovation

• Collaborate with Engineering, R&D, and Design on manufacturability and process improvements.
• Lead adoption of new technologies, equipment, and lean practices to increase efficiency and scalability.
• Promote Six Sigma and continuous improvement frameworks across operational disciplines.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all production meets or exceeds ISO, safety, and regulatory compliance standards.
• Lead investigations and corrective/preventive actions for operational issues.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation supporting compliance and traceability.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as a key liaison between production and other departments including Sales, Procurement, and Quality.
• Participate in strategic planning and customer engagement to align production and delivery expectations.
• Translate executive objectives into actionable operational plans and metrics.

Change Management

• Lead organizational change initiatives that improve operational efficiency, systems, and culture.
• Communicate change objectives clearly and gain alignment across teams.
• Manage risk and minimize disruption during transitions in processes, technologies, or structures.
• Foster a culture that embraces innovation, flexibility, and continuous learning.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Production Management, or a related field.
• 7-10+ years of operational leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven expertise in managing production, inventory systems, and manufacturing planning.
• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP platforms, forecasting tools, and planning software.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in electronics, high-tech manufacturing, or acoustic product sectors.
• Familiarity with transducer technology and underwater acoustics.
• Proficiency in analytics and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, Python, MATLAB).
• Formal training in Lean, Six Sigma, or PMP certification.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Thinking – Aligns long-term vision with operational execution.
• Operational Discipline – Drives precision, structure, and consistency.
• Leadership & Coaching – Inspires, mentors, and elevates teams.
• Customer-Centric Mindset – Prioritizes customer value in all decisions.
• Collaborative Communication – Bridges departments with clarity and purpose.
• Change Management – Guides teams through transition with clarity, empathy, and effectiveness.

Ocean Sonics Values (Lived Daily)

• We Care
• We're Honest
• We Do the Right Thing
• We're Curious
• We're Innovative
• We're Passionate

#J-18808-Ljbffr