About Thermcraft: Thermcraft is a leading manufacturer specializing in standard and custom-built industrial furnaces. As an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) company, we foster a culture of engagement, accountability, and innovation. As part of a larger corporation, we offer the stability of a big organization while maintaining the agility of a smaller company. Visit www.thermcraftinc.com to learn more about our advanced manufacturing solutions.

Summary:

Thermcraft is seeking an experienced Director of Manufacturing Operations to lead and optimize all aspects of manufacturing operations, ensuring efficient production, high-quality output, and continuous process improvement. This role will be directly responsible for production, engineering, and quality, driving lean manufacturing initiatives, improving throughput, and integrating new technologies to enhance efficiency. The Director of Manufacturing Operations will play a critical role in aligning manufacturing processes with business objectives while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

Manufacturing Operations Leadership:

· Direct and oversee all aspects of shop floor operations, including production planning, scheduling, inventory management, and logistics.

· Ensure efficient execution of build-to-order and engineer-to-order (ETO) projects, balancing customization demands with operational efficiency.

· Implement lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to increase productivity, reduce waste, and optimize workflow.

· Drive capacity planning and resource allocation to meet customer demands while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Production Efficiency & Process Improvement:

· Identify and deploy automation, ERP systems, and modern manufacturing technologies to streamline operations.

· Lead workflow optimization efforts to improve cycle times, reduce bottlenecks, and enhance production efficiency.

· Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), on-time delivery, and defect rates to drive performance improvements.

Quality Assurance & Engineering Integration:

· Oversee quality control and assurance to maintain high manufacturing standards and exceed customer expectations.

· Foster close collaboration between operations and engineering to ensure design for manufacturability (DFM) and smooth transitions from engineering to production.

· Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action initiatives to minimize defects and improve product reliability.

Leadership & Team Development:

· Lead, develop, and mentor production, engineering, and quality teams, ensuring a high-performance, safety-conscious manufacturing environment.

· Foster a culture of accountability, continuous learning, and cross-functional collaboration.

· Champion workforce engagement, providing training and development opportunities to enhance operational expertise.

Strategic & Financial Alignment:

· Align manufacturing strategies with corporate business objectives to drive long-term operational growth.

· Work closely with finance and supply chain teams to optimize cost control, budgeting, and resource planning.

· Prepare and present operational reports, identifying trends and opportunities for strategic improvement.

· Proven ability to drive manufacturing excellence, manage high-mix, low-volume production, and optimize operational performance.