Global Director of Operations | Precision Abrasive Products

Worcester, Massachusetts Permanent USD160,000 - USD180,000 per year View Job Description
The Global Director of Operations will lead worldwide manufacturing and supply chain operations during an ambitious multi-year growth phase, including plans to significantly expand revenue while improving operating margins.
  • Global Operations Experience Required
  • Experience in Building Manufacturing Teams in Asia Preferred

About Our Client

The organization is a global, employee-owned manufacturer of high-precision abrasive products serving technically demanding markets such as automotive, aerospace, medical devices, and semiconductor manufacturing.

Job Description

Global Operations Leadership

  • Lead end-to-end global manufacturing operations across all sites and geographies.
  • Design and implement standardized operating models that enable scalable growth, margin expansion, and execution consistency.
  • Own enterprise-wide operational performance, cost structure, delivery reliability, and throughput.
  • Embed Lean Manufacturing and 80/20 principles throughout the operations organization.

Margin Expansion & Operational Effectiveness

  • Drive measurable improvements in operating margin through labor productivity, automation, and process redesign.
  • Identify key cost drivers and implement corrective actions to improve profitability and capital efficiency.
  • Balance growth objectives with quality, risk management, and margin performance.

Operational Systems: MRP & Shop Floor Control

  • Lead the selection, implementation, and refinement of MRP systems.
  • Deploy shop floor control tools to improve visibility, scheduling discipline, labor utilization, throughput, and quality.
  • Establish robust production planning, execution, and performance management processes.

Automation & Capital Deployment

  • Identify, prioritize, and implement automation initiatives that reduce manual labor and increase consistency.
  • Develop multi-year automation roadmaps with clear return-on-investment targets.
  • Oversee capital justification, equipment selection, supplier management, and deployment.
  • Ensure automation is fully integrated with operational systems and production workflows.

International Operations & China Oversight

  • Provide executive leadership and governance for a wholly owned manufacturing subsidiary in China.
  • Guide expansion planning, organizational development, and operational maturity.
  • Ensure alignment with global standards, regulatory compliance, and performance expectations.

People Leadership & Change Management

  • Lead teams through systems implementations, automation initiatives, and workforce transitions.
  • Build a strong bench of operational leaders with clear accountability and performance expectations.
  • Redesign roles and optimize headcount structures where appropriate.
  • Actively engage an employee-owner workforce during periods of change and growth.

Supply Chain & Logistics

  • Oversee global supply chain functions, including sourcing, procurement, vendor management, and logistics.
  • Optimize inventory levels, material flow, and supplier strategies to support reliable, cost-effective delivery.
  • Identify and mitigate supply chain risks while maintaining customer commitments.

Quality & Compliance

  • Ensure consistent product quality across all global operations.
  • Maintain compliance with internal standards and all applicable local, national, and international regulations.
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on defect reduction and process robustness.

Cross-Functional Leadership

  • Partner closely with Engineering, R&D, Sales, Marketing, and Finance to align operations with strategic objectives.
  • Support new product introductions and changing market requirements.
  • Drive rapid issue resolution through strong cross-functional collaboration.

Governance, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

  • Develop and manage operating budgets and capital plans aligned with long-term strategy.
  • Prepare and present operational updates, performance metrics, and capital proposals to executive leadership and the Board.
  • Identify, assess, and mitigate operational, safety, compliance, and continuity risks.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement and disciplined execution.

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.

The Successful Applicant

  • 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations.
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Electrical, or related).
  • Demonstrated success delivering significant operating margin improvement.
  • Proven experience implementing MRP systems and shop floor control in complex manufacturing or job shop environments.
  • Strong background in Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement.
  • Verified success deploying automation to reduce labor and improve profitability.
  • Experience leading organizations of 50+ employees, including international teams.
  • Strong financial acumen, including capital investment and ROI analysis.
  • Prior experience overseeing operations in China or similar international manufacturing environments.



What's on Offer

  • Salary Range: $160,000 - $180,000
  • Heatlh Insurance
  • 401k (Company Match)
  • PTO Available
Contact
Marios Peripanos
Quote job ref
JN-042026-6997409

Job summary

Sector
Engineering & Manufacturing
Sub Sector
Production, Manufacturing
Industry
Industrial / Manufacturing
Location
Worcester
Contract Type
Permanent
Consultant name
Marios Peripanos
Job Reference
JN-042026-6997409