Director of Production Operations
Model 1 Commercial Vehicles
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Elkhart • 🇺🇸 United States
Visit company websiteSalary
💰 $125,000 - $165,000 per year
Job Level
Lead
About the role
- Lead production operations across Duncan, OK; Elkhart, IN; Summerville, SC; and Chino, CA, ensuring all locations meet production targets and delivery goals.
- Develop and execute strategic plans to increase capacity, expand throughput, and improve overall production performance.
- Implement standardized processes, workflows, and operating procedures across all production centers.
- Partner with OEMs to ensure build quality, correct specifications, and resolution of issues impacting production or customer requirements.
- Influence staffing levels, shift structures, and resource allocation to maximize facility output in partnership with local management.
- Work with production scheduling and forecasting teams to align staffing, capacity planning, and facility resources with corporate production targets.
- Ensure facilities are prepared for customer acceptance appointments, including unit readiness, documentation, and inspection preparation.
- Lead or co-lead daily and weekly production meetings to ensure alignment, resolve constraints, and improve on-time delivery performance.
- Ensure accurate and reliable production reporting with consistent communication to the executive team and cross-functional partners.
- Oversee customer acceptance readiness for fleet and transit deliveries, ensuring all units meet required inspection and acceptance criteria.
- Collaborate with local teams to ensure customer acceptance processes are executed consistently and documented properly.
- Approve and direct corrective actions for defects identified during customer inspections.
- Prioritize rework activities to support customer timelines and reduce cycle time.
- Partner with Warranty and Aftermarket teams to review quality trends, warranty claims, rework drivers, and production-related build standards.
- Support development and implementation of quality assurance processes and inspection procedures.
- Maintain a safe, efficient, and compliant working environment across all production hubs.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities in labor utilization, workflow efficiency, rework reduction, and facility operations.
- Coordinate internally across Sales, Planning, Warranty, Field Service, and Aftermarket Operations to ensure seamless resolution of customer acceptance findings and inspection-related issues.
- Collaborate with Sales and Planning to align customer delivery timelines with operational capacity.
- Participate in strategic planning for new facility expansions, equipment needs, and long-term production capabilities.
- Serve as an escalation point for operational challenges, OEM specification issues, or customer concerns requiring leadership involvement.
- Directly manage and develop the Production Operations Managers at each production hub.
- Set performance expectations, provide coaching and feedback, and ensure accountability to KPIs, quality standards, and production goals.
- Ensure all production teams execute customer acceptance processes consistently across all sites.
- Foster a culture of communication, teamwork, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
Requirements
- 10+ years of experience in production operations, automotive upfitting, fleet/commercial vehicles, or related manufacturing environments.
- Proven leadership experience managing multi-site operations or high-volume production facilities.
- Strong operational discipline with experience in capacity planning, labor forecasting, and process standardization.
- Demonstrated ability to drive efficiency, quality, and performance improvements across diverse teams.
- Excellent communication and cross-functional leadership skills.
- Ability to travel frequently to all production hubs.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, stand/walk for extended periods, and work in a shop environment.
- Valid driver’s license required.
- Must pass background check and drug screen.
Benefits
- Competitive benefits including health insurance, paid holidays, and vacation pay
- Continuous training to provide you the opportunity to develop your full potential and be a true business partner
- Access to an expansive network of mentors and networking opportunities
- Top quality technology to assist in your daily responsibilities to allow for more efficiencies to deliver outstanding customer service
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard skills
production operationscapacity planninglabor forecastingprocess standardizationquality assuranceinspection proceduresworkflow efficiencyrework reductionperformance improvementscustomer acceptance processes
Soft skills
leadershipcommunicationcross-functional leadershipteamworkcontinuous improvementcoachingfeedbackaccountabilitystrategic planningproblem-solving
Certifications
valid driver’s license