Company Overview
KiddeFenwal is a global leader in the design and manufacture of innovative industrial and commercial fire suppression systems and safety controls. Our proprietary, fully certified solutions save lives, protect property, and minimize business disruption. Our trusted brands—Kidde Fire Systems and Kidde Fire Protection—deliver highly engineered fire suppression, detection, and control systems for industrial, commercial, and marine applications. Fenwal Controls supports OEMs with advanced gas ignition, temperature control, and overheat detection products.
Headquartered in Ashland, Massachusetts, KiddeFenwal operates worldwide with facilities in the United States, United Kingdom (KFI-UK), and India (KTI-India). Learn more at KiddeFenwal.
Our Purpose
We protect lives, livelihoods, and iconic assets through innovative solutions, strong partnerships, and exceptional customer experiences. Built on a foundation of integrity and safety, we drive results with speed and excellence while fostering innovation and teamwork.
Position Overview
KiddeFenwal is seeking a results-driven operational leader to drive enterprise-wide continuous improvement, quality excellence, and strategic project execution across our global manufacturing operations.
This highly visible leadership role partners with plant leadership, engineering, operations, quality, and executive teams to improve operational performance, strengthen quality systems, and successfully deliver transformational initiatives. The Director will champion a culture of continuous improvement while leading critical projects that enhance safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
The ideal candidate combines deep manufacturing expertise with strong change leadership, project management, and quality systems experience.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
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Develop and lead the company's continuous improvement strategy across manufacturing operations.
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Drive Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and other operational excellence initiatives to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.
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Facilitate value stream mapping, root cause analysis, and process improvement activities to eliminate waste and improve flow.
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Establish operational performance metrics and dashboards to measure and sustain improvements.
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Mentor and coach leaders and cross-functional teams in structured problem-solving methodologies and continuous improvement principles.
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Build organizational capability and foster a culture of accountability, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement.
Strategic Project Leadership
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Lead high-impact, cross-functional projects from concept through implementation.
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Develop project plans, timelines, resource requirements, budgets, and success metrics.
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Identify and mitigate project risks while ensuring projects remain on schedule and within budget.
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Partner with executive leadership to prioritize strategic initiatives and align resources to business objectives.
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Communicate project progress, business impact, and ROI to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
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Drive change management activities to ensure successful adoption and sustainability of project outcomes.
Quality Systems & Compliance Leadership
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Own and continuously improve the company's Quality Management System (QMS).
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Ensure compliance with applicable customer, regulatory, and industry requirements.
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Lead enterprise CAPA investigations and systemic quality improvement efforts.
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Drive quality performance through preventive quality planning, process controls, audits, and corrective actions.
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Establish and maintain global quality standards, processes, and best practices across manufacturing locations.
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Partner with operations and engineering teams to reduce defects, improve process capability, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Qualifications
Education
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Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related technical discipline.
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Master's degree preferred.
Experience
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3+ years leading continuous improvement activities and transformational projects in manufacturing plants.
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10+ years manufacturing operations roles. Must include production management and manufacturing engineering roles.
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International experience a plus.
Additional Preferred Certifications
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Lean Six Sigma: Certified Black Belt
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Project Management: Project Management Professional (PMP) designation.
Core Competencies
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Excellent Analytical Skills
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Change Management: Proven ability to influence stakeholders and guide teams through operational shifts.
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Communication: Exceptional verbal and written skills to translate complex data into actionable business plans.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
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Setting: Manufacturing plants.
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Travel: Up to 25% to global sites or vendor facilities.
