The Director – HVAC Manufacturing Operations is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing end-to-end manufacturing performance across HVAC production facilities. This role ensures operational excellence in safety, quality, cost, delivery, and productivity while driving continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives. The Director leads multi-site operations and partners with engineering, supply chain, and quality teams to support the production of energy-efficient, regulatory-compliant HVAC systems for residential, commercial, and industrial markets.
Lead daily operations for HVAC assembly, fabrication, and testing facilities with a focus on efficiency, safety, and quality.
Develop and execute short- and long-term manufacturing strategies aligned with corporate growth, customer demand, and sustainability goals.
Drive operational KPIs including OEE, first-pass yield, labor productivity, and on-time delivery.
Implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and TPM methodologies to reduce waste and improve throughput.
Lead kaizen events, value stream mapping, and root cause problem-solving across production lines.
Promote a continuous improvement culture at all levels of the manufacturing organization.
Partner with product engineering to ensure manufacturability and scalability of HVAC systems.
Collaborate with supply chain teams on inventory control, material flow, and supplier performance.
Work with quality and compliance functions to meet AHRI, UL, ASHRAE, ISO 9001/14001, and EPA standards.
Build, lead, and mentor high-performing operations teams including production, maintenance, engineering, and support staff.
Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and performance through leadership visibility and employee engagement.
Oversee workforce planning, training, and labor optimization in a high-mix, high-volume environment.
Lead plant expansion, equipment upgrades, and layout optimization to support volume growth and new product introduction (NPI).
Manage manufacturing CAPEX investments with clear ROI, timeline, and execution accountability.
Coordinate industrial engineering efforts including line balancing, automation, and ergonomic improvements.
HVAC manufacturing operations, process optimization, and performance management
Lean leadership and continuous improvement in a fast-paced production environment
Cross-functional integration with engineering, quality, and supply chain
Multi-site or large-scale plant management and team development
Operational readiness for new products, technologies, and sustainability initiatives
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering (required)
MBA or Master’s degree in Operations, Engineering Management, or related field (preferred)
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt (preferred)
PMP, CMfgE, or Certified Plant Manager credentials are a plus
12+ years of experience in manufacturing, including 5+ years in a leadership role within HVAC, mechanical equipment, or high-volume assembly environments
Proven track record in leading large teams and implementing lean manufacturing and operational excellence initiatives
Experience managing CAPEX projects, automation, or digital manufacturing technologies (Industry 4.0)
Strong operational and financial acumen, including labor cost control and productivity metrics
Deep knowledge of HVAC components, assembly processes, and factory workflows
Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational change management skills
Proficiency with ERP, MES, and digital production tools (e.g., SAP, Oracle, FactoryTalk)