Director of Operations

Position: Director of Operations - Protective Films and Coatings

We are looking for a Director of Operations for the Protective Films and Coatings division. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading operations across US plants in Aurora, IL and Conover, NC lead all manufacturing, and operational activities in our film coating business. This role is responsible for ensuring operational excellence, standardization, and scalability across sites, while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate brings strong leadership, financial acumen, and deep experience in film or coating-related manufacturing environments, as well as proficiency with SAP or similar ERP systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction for plant managers and cross-functional teams at multiple manufacturing sites.
• Standardize processes, KPIs, and best practices across facilities to ensure consistent performance, quality, and output.
• Coordinate production planning and capacity utilization to balance load across locations and meet customer demands.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to develop and execute operational strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Identify and implement opportunities for cost savings, process improvements, and production scalability.
• Lead site expansion initiatives, M&A integration, or footprint optimization projects.

Manufacturing & Technical Excellence

• Oversee coating, converting, slitting, and lamination processes to ensure operational efficiency and product integrity.
• Drive adoption of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies across all sites.
• Uphold company-wide quality systems and regulatory compliance (ISO, customer-specific requirements).
• Ensure all sites maintain robust safety programs and meet environmental and workplace regulations.
• Foster a culture of accountability, quality, and operational discipline.
• Build and mentor a high-performing, site-based leadership team.
• Develop talent pipelines and succession plans to support long-term growth.
• Promote collaboration and knowledge sharing across facilities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or related field (MBA or Master's preferred).
• 10-15 years of leadership experience in manufacturing, with at least 5 years overseeing multi-site operations.
• Experience in the film, coatings, or converting industry strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of coating technologies (solvent-based, water-based, UV), as well as roll-to-roll converting.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional and cross-site teams, manage large-scale operations, and deliver results.
• Cultural Fit. Nimble and entrepreneurial in nature - past success in an environment with limited resources.

• Demonstrated collaboration with the executive team and comfortable working at all levels within an intense, fast-paced environment

Preferred Attributes:

• Lean Six Sigma certification (Black Belt preferred).
• Experience with capital project execution and facility expansion.
• Strong financial acumen and operational cost management skills.
• Demonstrated success in building scalable operational systems across geographies.

Travel Requirements:

• 25-50% travel expected between manufacturing facilities, vendors, and customers.