At KMT Waterjet, a Shape Technologies Group (SHAPE) company, we’re devoted to a single goal: delivering innovative manufacturing process solutions that propel our customers to success. SHAPE is a strategic ecosystem of companies, including Advanced Pressure Systems (APS), Flow International, Shape Process Automation, KMT Waterjet, H20 Jet, Aqua Dyne, Aquarese, Pro Jet System, and TOPS. Collectively, we provide an extensive portfolio of manufacturing process solutions to customers around the world.
Spanning 100 countries and a broad array of industries, SHAPE is expanding its reach through a growing number of direct and indirect channels. By partnering with our customers, we become integral to the successful design and manufacture of their next-generation products. We continually scour the globe for new, industry-leading technologies to add to our differentiated portfolio of offerings and grow our customer base. Our vision is to become the preeminent advanced process solutions partner handling the highly engineered products of tomorrow.
What We Offer.
In addition to training and career advancement opportunities, we offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off, life insurance, paid disability insurance, education reimbursement, and more.
Shape Technologies Group - Baxter Springs is seeking a Senior Director of Operations to join our team. In this role, you will be the senior site leader responsible for the end-to-end performance of a large, complex manufacturing facility. This role has full accountability for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people leadership, while driving operational stability, continuous improvement, and long-term capability development.
The Director is expected to operate as a general manager at the site level, translating enterprise strategy into disciplined execution, leading through strong systems and leaders, and ensuring predictable, scalable performance. This role requires a leader who is highly visible, data-driven, people-focused, and relentlessly execution oriented.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following:
Site Leadership & Accountability
- Own full site P&L execution and operational performance, including safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and productivity.
- Serve as the senior site leader, setting clear expectations, decision rights, and accountability across all functions.
- Establish a culture of discipline, transparency, and performance ownership, aligned with enterprise operating principles.
- Act as primary escalation and decision authority for site‑level operational issues.
Safety, Quality, and Compliance
- Champion a zero‑incident safety culture and ensure full compliance with EHS, regulatory, and internal governance standards.
- Ensure robust quality systems are in place and consistently executed; drive prevention‑based quality performance.
- Lead response to significant safety events, quality escapes, customer escalations, and audits.
Operational Execution
- Translate demand plans into executable production strategies that meet customer service, cost, and inventory objectives.
- Ensure effective daily management systems (tiered meetings, KPIs, leader standard work) are rigorously applied.
- Stabilize operations through standard work, capacity planning, labor planning, and equipment reliability.
- Lead cross‑functional problem-solving to address constraints in throughput, yield, downtime, labor stability, and material flow.
Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
- Drive a structured continuous improvement roadmap focused on flow, efficiency, cost, and capability development.
- Ensure disciplined use of OpEx tools (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, structured problem solving).
- Balance short‑term recovery actions with long‑term structural improvements to sustain results.
- Lead capital investment prioritization and execution to support growth, resilience, and productivity.
People Leadership & Organization Development
- Build and develop a high‑performing site leadership team with strong bench strength and succession plans.
- Coach leaders at all levels to improve decision‑making, accountability, and people leadership effectiveness.
- Partner closely with HR to manage labor strategy, engagement, performance management, and workforce stability.
- Foster an environment of trust, inclusion, and employee engagement across hourly and salaried teams.
Cross‑Functional & Enterprise Integration
- Partner with Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, Finance, and Commercial teams to ensure site alignment with enterprise priorities.
- Support enterprise initiatives related to footprint optimization, cost reduction, risk mitigation, and growth.
- Provide clear, fact‑based communication to senior leadership on site performance, risks, and action plans.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Required
- Demonstrated ability to lead large, complex manufacturing operations with multi-shift workforces.
- Proven success driving measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery/service, cost, and productivity metrics.
- Strong business acumen with the ability to manage operating budgets, capital expenditures, and operational trade-offs.
- Strong leadership, communication, and team development skills with the ability to build accountability and engagement at all organizational levels.
- Ability to drive execution through disciplined systems, processes, and performance management.
- Strategic mindset with the ability to align site performance and operational priorities to broader business objectives.
- Proven ability to lead effectively through ambiguity, change, operational challenges, and high-pressure situations.
- Demonstrated credibility and presence on the production floor, fostering trust and engagement with both hourly and salaried employees.
Preferred
- Experience operating in private equity-owned organizations and/or business transformation environments.
- Experience within high-mix, engineered-to-order, or complex industrial manufacturing operations.
- Proven ability to lead operational stabilization and performance improvement initiatives during periods of organizational change or disruption.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field.
- Minimum of 15 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience, including senior site-level operational responsibility.
- Extensive experience leading large-scale manufacturing operations with responsibility for safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and financial performance.
Preferred
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) or other advanced technical degree.
- Additional experience leading continuous improvement, operational excellence, or transformational business initiatives.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly required to sit or stand for an 8+ hour shift. Lift, carry, and move 50+ pounds. Push, pull, reach, bend, and twist your body. Travel up and down stairs. Maneuver around tight equipment.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
