Director of Operations - 1628-3669

BWAY Corporation - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Senior

Chicago, IL

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

The Director of Operations at BWAY Corporation is a pivotal role responsible for leading the strategic planning and execution of operations across multiple facilities. This position requires a comprehensive understanding of capital, manufacturing, and human resources-related strategic resource planning. The Director will work closely with corporate leadership to develop and implement plans that enhance operational capabilities and ensure competitiveness in the global market. This includes overseeing capital project expenses related to expansion, equipment, engineering, and new product production efforts. In addition to strategic planning, the Director will provide overall direction for established Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (SI&OP) processes, which encompass supply and demand planning, long-range forecasting, and budgeting. The role involves collaboration with various functions such as Sales, Product Management, and Marketing to optimize customer service levels while managing inventory utilization effectively. Regular oversight of production and operational performance is essential, as the Director will engage with plant managers to address operational challenges and ensure cost efficiency. The position also emphasizes talent acquisition, retention, and development, working closely with HR to maintain a high level of employee engagement and succession planning for key roles. Safety, quality, and compliance with regulations are paramount, and the Director will lead initiatives to maintain a safe and efficient operational environment. The role also includes customer service oversight, ensuring that operations meet customer expectations and addressing any issues that may arise. Furthermore, the Director will play a significant role in the professional development of Plant Managers and foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Leading overall strategic planning for each facility including capital, manufacturing and human resources-related strategic resource planning, development, and execution efforts.
• Providing significant input to both the division and corporate leadership teams required to reach world-class capabilities in manufacturing and any additional manufacturing technologies required to compete in a global market.
• Providing overall direction to the operations surrounding established SI&OP processes (supply and demand planning, long range forecasting, strategic planning, forecasting, optimization, budgeting process, logistics).
• Partnering and influencing Sales, Product Management, Marketing, and other functions to effectively execute on these SI&OP processes to ensure the optimal balance between customer service levels and inventory utilization.
• Overseeing and reviewing production and operating performance on a regular basis with each plant manager and providing input to the leadership team as required to resolve operational, manufacturing, maintenance and delivery problems to ensure minimum costs and prevent operation delays to customers.
• Working extensively with corporate and division-level HR to ensure talent acquisition, retention and development efforts ensure both adequate succession levels for key roles within these facilities and as practical, around the division.
• Overseeing efforts that result in the development and maintenance of the highest levels of engagement possible with all levels of employees within these facilities.
• Effectively directing each Plant Manager's efforts to maintain a safe, clean, and efficient operation, working within all company guidelines and local/state/federal regulations.
• Playing a lead role in ensuring that all operations maintain appropriate customer service levels and intervening as required should specific customer issues arise.
• Playing a role in relevant due diligence efforts with potential acquisitions and providing suitable feedback/input should products and manufacturing capabilities be integrated into the operations as required.
• Playing a key role in the professional development of the Plant Managers as well as working alongside human resources to create and maintain an operating culture that encourages professional development overall.

Requirements

• 10+ years of demonstrated manufacturing leadership experience - with 10 or more years as a manager. Working in a continuous process environment is a definite plus.
• Experience with the business aspects of operations and plant management with regard to P&L responsibilities. Specific experience working with on capital allocation and planning including engineering, costing/budgeting and understanding the assets of the facility.
• Expertise with the implementation of Lean initiatives, continuous process improvement, project management methodologies and overall operational efficiencies. Significant exposure to a specific operating system (for example: the Toyota Production System) will be quite helpful.
• Demonstrated ability and flexibility to deal with corporate functions such as finance, sales, procurement, human resources, operations, and logistics.
• Strategically focused leadership skills that include strong communication talent, team-based continuous improvement motivational tactics, creative instincts, and the ability to implement segment, business unit and company-wide goals.
• Specific and demonstrated experience developing talent overall within an operations organization including working to identify and develop a potential successor.
• Demonstrated experience with developing and maintaining a positive employee relations environment through well-established communication programs, approachability and visibility with all employees, a proactive and positive leadership style.
• Experience in a commercial role and/or with direct customer contact as an operations professional.
• Strong leadership skills, independent thinking, proven organizational and planning abilities, and excellent analytical and problem-solving skills are essential.
• A demonstrated ability to work 'cross-border' with an appreciation of both personal and cultural nuances.
• A high energy level, and positive attitude are a must.