Location: Elkhart County, Indiana | Reports To: CEO
Department: Manufacturing / Operations | FLSA Status: Exempt
The Director of Manufacturing provides strategic and operational leadership for all manufacturing activities within a mid-size production facility of approximately 160 associates. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence, achieving production targets, and building a high-performance culture grounded in safety, quality, continuous improvement, and accountability. The Director serves as a key member of the site leadership team and works cross-functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, and HR to support business growth and customer satisfaction.
Operations & Production
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Direct all day-to-day manufacturing operations to meet production schedules, cost targets, and quality standards.
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Develop and execute short- and long-range operational plans aligned with company strategy and customer demand.
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Monitor KPIs including OEE, throughput, scrap, on-time delivery, and cost-per-unit; take corrective action as needed.
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Oversee production planning and capacity management to optimize labor and equipment utilization.
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Partner with Supply Chain to ensure raw material availability and manage inventory levels effectively.
People Leadership
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Lead, develop, and retain a workforce of approximately 100 associates, including production supervisors, leads, and hourly employees.
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Foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable work environment consistent with company values.
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Partner with HR on talent acquisition, performance management, workforce planning, and associate engagement.
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Provide coaching, mentoring, and development opportunities to build a strong leadership pipeline.
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Conduct regular performance reviews and address performance issues promptly and professionally.
Safety & Compliance
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Champion a safety-first culture; ensure compliance with all OSHA regulations and company EHS policies.
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Drive continuous reduction in recordable incidents, near misses, and unsafe conditions.
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Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing manufacturing operations.
Quality & Continuous Improvement
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Drive a culture of quality and continuous improvement using Lean, Six Sigma, and/or other CI methodologies.
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Collaborate with the Quality team to ensure products meet or exceed customer specifications and internal standards.
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Lead root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) processes for quality escapes and operational issues.
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Identify and implement process improvements that reduce waste, improve efficiency, and lower total cost.
Financial Management
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Develop and manage the manufacturing department budget; control labor, overhead, and material costs.
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Identify cost reduction opportunities and lead capital expenditure proposals and justifications.
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Report regularly on operational and financial performance to senior leadership.
Education
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Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related field required.
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MBA or advanced degree preferred.
Experience
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Minimum 5 years of progressive manufacturing experience, with at least 2 years in a senior leadership role.
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Proven track record managing a workforce of 100+ associates in a high-volume production environment.
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Experience in the RV, automotive, specialty vehicle, or industrial manufacturing sectors strongly preferred.
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Demonstrated success in driving Lean/CI initiatives with measurable business results.
Skills & Competencies
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Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence, inspire, and develop teams at all levels.
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Exceptional communication skills — written, verbal, and executive presentation.
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Data-driven decision maker with proficiency in ERP systems and manufacturing analytics tools.
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Solid working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen, SMED, and value stream mapping.
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Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
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High integrity and commitment to safety, quality, and ethical business conduct.
