Director Lean Manufacturing Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Curries (an ASSA ABLOY company) is seeking a Director of Operations to lead our manufacturing facility in Mason City, Iowa. If you are a hands‑on operations leader who thrives on data, KPIs, continuous improvement tools, and building strong teams while keeping safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement at the center of operations, we want to talk.

• Lead and execute a comprehensive, KPI‑driven operations strategy for one of the largest hollow metal door and frame manufacturing operations in the country.
• Lead functional managers and supervisors, align operations with business and financial objectives, drive operational excellence and continuous improvement, and build a high‑performance culture rooted in safety, accountability, employee engagement, and customer alignment.
• Promote a strong safety‑first culture while ensuring compliance with OSHA, company standards, regulatory requirements, company policies, and the ASSA ABLOY Code of Conduct.
• Own operational financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting, cost control, capital planning, labor, materials, inventory, and operating expenses.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, root‑cause analysis, process optimization, standardization, automation, and year‑over‑year performance improvement.
• Maintain a visible presence on the production floor, engaging with teams across shifts to remove barriers, solve problems in real time, and reinforce accountability.
• Lead daily operational management systems, including Gemba walks, KPI reviews, 5S, safety engagement activities, audits, corrective actions, and performance metrics.
• Oversee end‑to‑end production and logistics flow, including capacity planning, production scheduling, inventory management, distribution, warehouse operations, freight strategies, and service‑level performance.
• Build, develop, and lead a high‑performing operations leadership team while partnering with HR on workforce planning, talent development, succession planning, organizational design, employee relations, and performance management.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with customer service, order management, engineering, quality, supply chain, commercial teams, and other Door Group locations to support customer expectations, sales objectives, and network‑wide best practices.
• Perform special assignments and projects as assigned.
• Actively participate in providing a safe and harmonious working environment for all employees.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, or related field (required); Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive operational leadership experience with proven results delivered through teams.
• Manufacturing leadership experience with strong business and financial acumen, including P&L, cost control, productivity, budgeting, forecasting, and capital planning.
• Proven ability to drive KPI performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and employee engagement.
• Strong background in Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, continuous improvement, root‑cause analysis, process optimization, and advancing manufacturing technologies.
• Strong understanding of OSHA, state/federal regulations, company standards, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with capacity planning, production scheduling, workforce planning, logistics, inventory management, and operations systems.
• Leadership presence with the ability to coach, develop, influence, and build accountable, high‑performing teams.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, decision‑making, communication, presentation, interpersonal, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, results‑driven environment.
• High level of comfort and passion for being present on the production floor across all shifts, including weekends and off‑hours as needed.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), AI, Business Objects, and other business systems.
• Must live in or relocate within three months to the Mason City, IA area.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%.

We believe in creating opportunities and providing benefits that empower you to grow, thrive, and build a rewarding lifelong career with us.

• Competitive salary
• Paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays
• Medical, dental, vision coverage
• Short‑term and long‑term disability, life and AD&D insurance
• 401(k) program with company contributions
• Tuition reimbursement, learning and career development opportunities
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Gym reimbursement
• On‑site health clinic
• Discount portal
• Recognition, well‑being, and employee experience programs

AADG, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veteran.