Director of Manufacturing / Production

The Director of Manufacturing / Production is responsible for strategic planning, operational execution, and continuous improvement of all production activities. This role ensures manufacturing output meets safety, quality, cost, and delivery targets while fostering a culture of operational excellence, lean manufacturing, and cross-functional collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

1. Manufacturing Strategy & Planning

• Develop and execute long-term and short-term production strategies aligned with company goals.

• Oversee capacity planning, resource allocation, and production scheduling to meet demand.

• Collaborate with supply chain, engineering, and sales to ensure timely delivery of products.

2. Operations Management

• Lead daily manufacturing operations across multiple production lines or facilities.

• Monitor KPIs related to throughput, OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), downtime, and waste.

• Implement lean principles to improve productivity and reduce operational costs.

3. Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to health, safety, and environmental regulations (OSHA/ISO 45001).

• Maintain product quality and compliance with ISO 9001, ASME, API, and client-specific requirements.

• Work closely with QA/QC to minimize defects, rework, and warranty claims.

4. Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and mentor plant managers, production engineers, supervisors, and shop-floor personnel.

• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous learning.

• Identify skill gaps and support workforce training and development initiatives.

5. Technology, Automation & Improvement

• Drive adoption of Industry 4.0 practices, automation, and digital manufacturing tools.

• Evaluate and invest in new equipment and technology to optimize operations.

• Lead Kaizen, Six Sigma, and value stream mapping initiatives.

Key Focus Areas

• Product Types:

  • Turbine components, pressure vessels, structural modules, skids, rotating equipment frames, piping systems

• Processes Supervised:

  • Welding, machining, fitting, assembly, painting/blasting, testing, packaging, and dispatch

• Manufacturing Methodologies:

  • Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, 5S, TPM (Total Productive Maintenance), Just-In-Time (JIT)

• Digital Tools / Systems:

  • ERP/MRP (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics)

  • MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems)

  • Production dashboards / SCADA / IoT sensors

• Compliance Standards:

  • ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001

  • ASME U/UM, API 650/676, AWS D1.1, NORSOK (if applicable)

• Key Metrics (KPIs):

  • On-Time Delivery (OTD)

  • First Pass Yield (FPY)

  • Cost per Unit (CPU)

  • Scrap & Rework Rates

  • Equipment Downtime

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Education:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or Manufacturing Management

• Certifications (Preferred):

  • Lean Six Sigma (Black Belt or Master Black Belt)

  • PMP or Operational Excellence certification

  • ISO Lead Auditor (optional)

• Experience:

  • 15+ years in manufacturing leadership roles, preferably in heavy industrial or engineered-to-order (ETO) environments

  • Strong exposure to both shop-floor and strategic-level manufacturing functions

• Skills:

  • Proven leadership and cross-functional coordination

  • Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities

  • Excellent communication and team-building skills

  • ERP/MES/production planning system experience