Director Site Operations (Lowell)

A globally recognized and highly profitable manufacturer of precision-engineered components is seeking to hire a Director of Operations for a flagship manufacturing facility in New Hampshire. Reporting to executive leadership, this individual will oversee end-to-end operations across a complex manufacturing environment, driving throughput, reducing scrap, and leading a culture centered on safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. This is a permanent, direct-hire opportunity.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead all phases of the investment casting lifecycle, including wax injection, shelling, foundry operations, and finishing, to ensure on-time delivery and adherence to production schedules
• Drive plant-wide throughput improvements through rigorous bottleneck identification, constraint management, and daily production discipline
• Champion a “Safety First” culture, ensuring compliance with OSHA standards, environmental regulations, and safe handling of molten metals and process chemicals
• Oversee maintenance and reliability strategies for critical capital equipment, including furnaces, autoclaves, wax presses, and automated/robotic systems, to minimize downtime
• Align closely with supply chain and purchasing to ensure optimal raw material availability while directly managing WIP levels to improve flow and inventory turns
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives to reduce cost-per-unit, eliminate waste, and improve process stability
• Maintain a strong presence on the shop floor, connecting operational strategy with real-time production challenges and team engagement

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 10 years of manufacturing leadership experience
• Bachelor’s degree required (Engineering, Business, etc.)
• Significant exposure to metallurgical products and processes
• Proven track record of driving throughput, managing bottlenecks, and leading performance improvements in complex manufacturing environments