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About the role

Director of Operations📍 Ventura County, CAAbout the RoleOur client, a growing, employee-owned manufacturer of engineered metal products, is seeking a Director of Operations to lead its Southern California manufacturing facility. This leader will hold full P&L responsibility for the site and be accountable for its safe, reliable, and profitable performance. You’ll direct production, manufacturing engineering, maintenance, purchasing and supply chain, warehousing, and plant logistics to meet customer service, quality, delivery, cost, and inventory goals. The business is in a period of strong growth with a healthy order backlog, so this is a chance to build capacity and lead an experienced, long-tenured team. We’re looking for an owner-minded operator who earns trust on the plant floor, applies Lean principles with a steady hand, and partners with corporate leadership to align plant execution with company strategy.
What You’ll Do: Hold full P&L accountability for the site, including labor, overhead, material cost, capital spending, and margin performance. Lead all plant operations: production, manufacturing engineering, maintenance, warehousing, inventory control, shipping and receiving, and site logistics. Lead the purchasing and procurement function, including supplier selection and development, vendor-managed inventory, make-vs-buy decisions, and partner development. Develop and execute the annual operating plan to hit safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, capacity, and inventory targets. Build a strong Lean Manufacturing culture through daily management, standard work, visual controls, root-cause problem solving, and continuous improvement events. Ensure compliance with environmental, health, safety, and employment requirements, and proactively reduce workplace risk. Coach and hold leaders accountable; manage staffing, performance, succession, and engagement in partnership with HR.Lead major operational projects such as layout changes, equipment installations, product transfers, and capacity improvements. Partner with Quality, EHS, Engineering, Sales, and corporate teams to resolve issues, launch products, and standardize best practices.
What You’ll Need: 5+ years as a Director of Operations, Plant Manager, or Site/General Manager with full P&L responsibility for a manufacturing facility.10+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience. Demonstrated success implementing Lean Manufacturing systems (standard work, 5S, value-stream mapping, Kaizen, root-cause analysis).Broad knowledge of manufacturing operations, materials, maintenance, quality, EHS, and plant logistics. Proven ability managing budgets, capital projects, and cross-functional improvement initiatives. Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, business, or a related field (equivalent experience considered).Strong technical aptitude; proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Office.
Preferred: Direct management or oversight of a purchasing or procurement department. Metal fabrication experience, such as laser cutting, punching, forming, welding, and finishing. Experience in a high-mix, low-volume, build-to-order environment.
Compensation & Benefits: Competitive base salary plus an uncapped performance bonus with a significant target. Employee stock ownership plan, a meaningful way to build long-term wealth as the company grows.401(k) with company match, traditional and Roth options. Medical insurance, including fully employer-paid plan options. Relocation considered for the right candidate.

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JOB OVERVIEW

Experience level

Manager

Location

Prescott, AZ

Occupation

General and Operations Managers

Industry

All Other Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing

Posted

today

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