Director of Manufacturing Operations

Are you an experienced manufacturing leader who enjoys balancing strategy with hands-on operational leadership?

Advanced Assembly, Inc. (AAI), an electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider located in University Research Park on Madison's west side, is seeking a Director of Manufacturing Operations to lead production, planning and scheduling, quality, purchasing, and inventory control functions.

This role is ideal for a collaborative leader who enjoys developing people, improving systems, and working alongside employees to drive operational excellence in a high-mix manufacturing environment. We are seeking someone who can think strategically, remain engaged in day-to-day operations, and build a culture of accountability, mentorship, and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will bring significant manufacturing leadership experience, preferably within electronics manufacturing, contract manufacturing, or other high-mix production environments. They will be a strong communicator, an experienced people leader, and someone who values long-term relationships, team development, and operational excellence.

Ideal Background

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in

• Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS)
• Contract Manufacturing
• High-Mix, High-Volume Manufacturing
• ISO 9001 Manufacturing Environments
• Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement
• ERP/MRP Production Systems
• Leading Production, Quality, Planning, and Supply Chain Teams

Job Summary

The Director of Manufacturing Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for all manufacturing activities, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective production of high-quality products that meet customer requirements.

This role is responsible for overall performance of manufacturing operations, including production, planning and scheduling, quality, purchasing, and inventory control functions and their respective teams. The Director drives operational excellence, continuous improvement, and workforce capability development to support business performance and customer satisfaction.

Essential Functions

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

Operational Leadership

• Lead manufacturing operations to ensure safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity objectives are achieved.
• Oversee production planning and execution to ensure alignment with customer demand and business priorities.
• Ensure manufacturing processes are efficient, controlled, and capable of consistently meeting quality and delivery requirements.
• Monitor operational performance and lead corrective actions to address gaps in performance metrics.

Planning & Execution

• Direct capacity planning and production planning activities to support on-time delivery and optimal resource utilization.
• Ensure coordination between production, planning, quality, purchasing, and inventory control functions.
• Oversee inventory accuracy and material flow to support efficient manufacturing operations.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with customer requirements and applicable quality management systems, including ISO 9001:2015.
• Drive a culture of quality, including ownership of nonconformance resolution and continuous improvement of quality systems.
• Partner with quality leadership to ensure effective root cause analysis and corrective action processes.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives to improve productivity, reduce waste, and enhance efficiency.
• Implement and sustain lean manufacturing principles across operations.
• Identify and execute opportunities to improve cost structure, throughput, and overall operational performance.

Leadership & Team Development

• Develop and lead a high-performing manufacturing leadership team.
• Establish clear performance expectations and accountability across manufacturing functions.
• Support team development, training, and succession planning efforts within operations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with engineering, supply chain, sales, and quality teams to ensure alignment of operational execution with business needs.
• Support customer interactions as needed regarding production status, quality issues, and delivery commitments.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position provides leadership for all manufacturing operations and associated support functions, including production, planning and scheduling, quality assurance, purchasing, and inventory control. All manufacturing supervisors and functional leaders within these areas report to this role.

Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time.

Requirements

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required.

Required Experience

• Progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations, including responsibility for leading managers or functional leaders.
• Experience in electronics manufacturing or a high-mix, high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Experience in subcontract manufacturing environments.
• Strong background in production planning, scheduling, and operational execution.

Technical Knowledge

• Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and production planning processes.
• Solid understanding of inventory management, material flow, and supply chain coordination.
• Experience with quality management systems and regulatory compliance requirements, including ISO 9001:2015.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to analyze operational metrics and utilize data to drive decision-making and performance improvements.

Leadership Competencies

• Strong leadership and team development capabilities.
• Ability to establish accountability, drive results, and foster a culture of operational excellence.
• Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively engage employees, customers, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to lead change and implement sustainable process improvements.

Education (Preferred)

• Degree in Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Management, Quality, or related field preferred.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to hear and talk; use hands to handle or feel objects,; reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to an indoor manufacturing environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

General Sign-Off: The employee is expected to adhere to all company policies and to act as a role model in the adherence of company policies.

All qualified applicants will receive considerations for employment without regard to sex, race, color, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, student status, physical appearance, sexual orientation, political beliefs, religion, genetic information, gender identity, a less than honorable discharge from the military, and any other status protected by federal, state or local law and regulations.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person