Director, Operations (Manufacturing)

Description

Position: Director, Operations

Location: Uxbridge, MA 

Reporting To: Vice President, Operations

On Target Compensation: $172,500 - $212,750

(Compensation includes base salary plus target incentives at 100% achievement. Base salary $150,000 - $185,000 depends on skills, knowledge, education, location, and experience)

Job Summary: The Director of Operations is a senior leader responsible for the overall performance of Lenze Americas' manufacturing and logistics operations, and is a trusted advisor to the VP, Operations. This role is based at our U.S. manufacturing headquarters in Uxbridge, MA and provides strategic and operational leadership across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Inventory, and People (SQDCIP). The position is accountable for driving operational performance, profitability, working capital optimization, capital investment execution, and continuous improvement initiatives while supporting the long-term growth and success of the organization.

The Director drives operational excellence through the Lenze Production System (LPS), leads transformation efforts, and represents Operations in S&OP, BCM, and other key business processes. Working cross-functionally with local and global teams, this leader ensures operational readiness, delivers on customer commitments, develops organizational capability, and supports sustainable business growth.

About you: You are a strategic, hands-on operations leader with extensive experience leading manufacturing, logistics, and continuous improvement functions in a high-performance environment. You have a proven track record of delivering results across safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, productivity, and profitability while developing strong teams and future leaders.

You excel at balancing operational execution with long-term business strategy, using data-driven decision-making, financial acumen, and Lean principles to drive continuous improvement and sustainable growth. Known for your ability to lead through change, build cross-functional partnerships, and solve complex business challenges, you foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and operational excellence.

You are an influential leader with a focus on developing people, empowering teams, and driving transformation while maintaining a strong customer focus and commitment to achieving business objectives. Above all, you lead with integrity, ownership, and a passion for creating high-performing organizations that consistently deliver results.

A day in the life:

Leadership & People Development

• Lead, coach, and develop Production and Logistics leaders while providing operational leadership for Lenze Americas' manufacturing facility, driving performance, accountability, continuous improvement, and employee engagement
• Build organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, workforce planning, and leadership development
• Build and sustain a culture that prioritizes safety, collaboration, employee engagement, continuous improvement, and operational excellence
• Model and reinforce Lenze Leadership Principles: Take Ownership, Drive Change, Empower People, and Win as a Team

Operational Leadership

• Lead manufacturing and logistics operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and productivity goals
• Develop and execute capacity strategies that ensure operational readiness, scalable growth, and delivery of customer commitments.
• Lead Lean manufacturing, LPS, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost performance.
• Partner with the VP, Operations to shape organizational structure, investment priorities, capacity strategy, and long-term operational objectives.
• Work closely with global Lenze operations teams to standardize processes, share best practices, and drive operational excellence

Logistics & Supply Chain 

• Provide strategic leadership for warehousing, inventory management, material planning, shipping, and logistics functions through direct leadership of the Logistics Manager, ensuring efficient material flow and operational performance
• Provide leadership for inventory control, working capital management, and logistics operations to drive efficiency, cost performance, and service levels.
• Maintain compliance with global trade, import/export, customs, and transportation requirements while mitigating operational risk

Financial Management   

• Own operational budgets, forecasting, manufacturing costs, and P&L performance to achieve financial, operational, and business objectives.
• Lead productivity improvement, cost reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives that drive measurable operational and financial results.
• Manage capital investment plans, ensuring projects are prioritized, executed effectively, and deliver expected business value and return on investment

Continuous Improvement & Performance Management

• Establish and lead KPI management and daily operating systems that enable data-driven decision-making and accountability at all levels of the organization.
• Champion Lean manufacturing, problem-solving methodologies, and continuous improvement efforts to eliminate waste and improve operational performance.
• Drive execution of standard work and process discipline to ensure consistency, efficiency, and sustained operational excellence.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales, Finance, and Customer Service to achieve business objectives
• Lead operational readiness for new products, strategic projects, and growth initiatives.
• Support business continuity, risk management, digital manufacturing, and transformation programs

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Champion a safety-first culture and ensure compliance with EHS, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead initiatives that drive continuous improvement in safety, quality, productivity, and operational performance.
• Ensure compliance with ISO standards, maintain audit readiness, support sustainability initiatives, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field required; MBA or Master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of manufacturing operations experience within industrial automation or a comparable technical manufacturing environment
• 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, operations, logistics, or supply chain management, with demonstrated success leading complex operational environments
• 5+ years of experience leading leaders within a multi-level manufacturing or operations organization, with a proven track record of developing managers, driving accountability, and building high-performing teams
• Demonstrated success in a Production Manager role, leading manufacturing operations and production teams, is required
• Proven experience driving operational performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, and productivity metrics. 
• Strong leadership and people development skills with a track record of building high-performing teams, developing leaders, and leading organizational change. 
• Demonstrated financial acumen, including responsibility for operating budgets, labor planning, productivity initiatives, working capital management, and capital investment projects. 
• Hands-on experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Operational Excellence initiatives with measurable business results. 
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt required; Black Belt preferred 
• Experience working with ERP systems, preferably SAP; familiarity with MES, operational analytics, and Power BI strongly preferred
• Knowledge of Industry 4.0, automation, digital manufacturing, and data-driven decision-making practices
• Experience participating in Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), capacity planning, and operational readiness activities
• Strong understanding of manufacturing quality systems, EHS programs, regulatory compliance, and risk management practices
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and decision-making skills. 
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization and within cross-functional teams. 
• Experience working in a global, matrixed organization and partnering with international stakeholders preferred
• Results-oriented leader with a strong sense of ownership, a continuous improvement mindset, and a passion for developing people and driving business performance
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally, including occasional overnight travel, to support business operations, customer engagements, leadership meetings, and global collaboration initiatives (up to 15%)

About us: Lenze is a global manufacturer of electrical and mechanical drives, motion control and automation technology - offering products, drive solutions, complete automation systems, and engineering services and tools from one single source. Our products can be found in many industries, including automotive, packaging, material handling and logistics, robotics, and industrial equipment (pumps/fans). 

A global network of distributors and representatives makes Lenze Americas perfectly positioned to meet the motion control needs of customers worldwide. Lenze Americas, the American subsidiary of Lenze SE of Germany, is headquartered in Uxbridge, Massachusetts; corporate global headquarters are in Hamelin, Germany.

Our culture: We’re powered by people. Our culture is built on collaboration, innovation, and respect—where every voice matters and every idea has the potential to shape the future. We believe in balance, supporting our team with the flexibility and resources they need to thrive both professionally and personally.