ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Director Operations Excellence Jobs in Connecticut

ProductionHUB

Director, Production Operations

Stamford, CT · On-site

$140 - $190/hr

Director, Production Operations Location: Stamford, CT (On-site at WWE Headquarters) Reports To ... operational excellence across large-scale productions and live events. This role will serve as a ...

Deloitte

Deployment & Operations Manager

Hartford, CT · On-site

Strategy & operations excellence * Partner with the Center Director in developing research center strategy and execution plans * Translate strategic priorities into executable roadmaps * Provide fact ...

Nordsonhcm

Director of Operations

Norwich, CT · On-site

We are seeking a Director of Operations to join the Nordson EFD team. In this role you will be ... As a member of the EFD leadership team, you will drive excellence in all aspects of the business.

L.e.a.p. Inc.

Director of Operations

New Haven, CT · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Position Summary The Director of Operations oversees the day-to-day operational functions that ... operational excellence to support LEAP's mission of empowering young people in New Haven ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsOperations Excellence JobsDirector Operations Excellence JobsDirector Operations Excellence Jobs in Connecticut

Director Operations Excellence information

See Connecticut salary details

$29.1K

$114.3K

$178.1K

How much do director operations excellence jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for director operations excellence in Connecticut is $114,281.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,298.00 and $142,511.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of operations excellence do?

A Director of Operations Excellence is responsible for overseeing and improving organizational processes to enhance efficiency, productivity, and quality across various departments. They develop and implement strategies, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives such as Lean or Six Sigma methodologies. This role involves analyzing performance metrics, identifying areas for operational improvement, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve business goals. Directors of Operations Excellence also ensure compliance with industry standards and help drive a culture of excellence within the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of operations excellence?

To thrive as a Director of Operations Excellence, you need expertise in process improvement, project management, and strategic planning, usually supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, ERP systems, and certifications like PMP or Six Sigma Black Belt are commonly required. Exceptional leadership, communication, and change management skills help drive cross-functional initiatives and foster a culture of continuous improvement. These skills and qualifications are vital for optimizing organizational efficiency, ensuring sustainable growth, and delivering operational results.

How does a director of operations excellence typically drive cross-functional collaboration to improve organizational processes?

A Director of Operations Excellence often leads initiatives that require close collaboration with departments such as supply chain, finance, IT, and quality assurance. They facilitate workshops, set up process improvement teams, and establish clear communication channels to ensure alignment on goals and timelines. By leveraging data-driven insights and best practices, they help teams identify inefficiencies, implement standardized processes, and measure outcomes. This collaborative approach not only accelerates improvement efforts but also fosters a culture of continuous innovation across the organization.

What is the difference between Director Operations Excellence vs Operations Manager?

AspectDirector Operations ExcellenceOperations Manager
ResponsibilitiesStrategic process improvement, cross-departmental initiatives, long-term efficiency goalsDay-to-day operations management, team supervision, short-term problem solving
Required CredentialsTypically bachelor's degree, certifications in Lean, Six Sigma, or process improvementUsually bachelor's degree, experience in operations, certifications may be beneficial
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning sessions, corporate offices, cross-functional teamsOperational sites, team management, direct interaction with staff

The main difference is that the Director Operations Excellence focuses on strategic, organization-wide process improvements and long-term efficiency initiatives, while the Operations Manager handles daily operational activities and team supervision. Both roles often require similar certifications like Lean or Six Sigma but differ in scope and focus.

What are the most commonly searched types of Operations Excellence jobs in Connecticut?

The most popular types of Operations Excellence jobs in Connecticut are:

What job categories do people searching Director Operations Excellence jobs in Connecticut look for?

The top searched job categories for Director Operations Excellence jobs in Connecticut are:

What cities in Connecticut are hiring for Director Operations Excellence jobs?

Cities in Connecticut with the most Director Operations Excellence job openings:

Director Operations Excellence jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Operations Excellence job openings in Connecticut as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 3% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,281 per year, or $54.9 per hour.

Director, Operations

Ensign-Bickford Industries

Simsbury, CT • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description

This opportunity is located within our Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company business, a global leader of mission-critical hardware and systems solutions including precision energetics systems and innovative explosive solutions.Click here to learn more.

Job Description

Location: Simsbury, CT
Reports to: VP Operations
Industry: Aerospace & Defense
Experience Level: Site Leader / Director (15+ years)

Lead the Site. Build the System. Deliver the Mission.

EBAD is seeking a Director of Operations / Site Leader for our Simsbury, CT facility. This role carries full accountability for site performance across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people within a complex, highly regulated aerospace and defense manufacturing environment.

We are looking for a high-impact leader who can deliver operational results today while building the systems, team, and culture required to scale for future growth.

The Opportunity

EBAD is a leader in mission-critical energetic and electronic systems supporting major aerospace, missile, and space platforms. The Simsbury site is a key contributor to these programs and is positioned for continued growth.

This role offers the opportunity to:

  • Lead a critical manufacturing site with full ownership and accountability

  • Operate in a high-mix, low-volume, engineer-to-order environment

  • Establish and scale EBOS as the site's operating system

  • Drive measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost

  • Build organizational capability to support growth and new program introduction

  • Partner cross-functionally to support development, qualification, and production ramp of new products

This is a high-visibility leadership role with both immediate impact and long-term growth potential.

Scope of Responsibility

The Director of Operations has full leadership responsibility for all site-level operations and support functions, including:

  • Manufacturing / Production Operations

  • Production Support & Test

  • Quality Assurance & Compliance

  • Supply Chain & Materials Management

  • Environmental, Safety & Health (ES&H / EHS)

  • Maintenance & Facilities

  • Continuous Improvement / EBOS

This role also works closely with Engineering, Program Management, and Business Development to support new product development, qualification, and growth initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Execution

  • Lead the organization to achieve Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC) objectives

  • Own execution of production across launch vehicle, missile, and defense programs

  • Ensure adherence to program milestones and delivery commitments

  • Drive on-time delivery (OTD), past due reduction, and revenue execution

Safety & Compliance

  • Establish and maintain a zero-incident safety culture

  • Ensure compliance with aerospace, defense, and regulatory standards

Systems & Continuous Improvement

  • Establish and deploy EBOS as the site operating system

  • Implement disciplined daily management, KPIs, and leader standard work

  • Lead structured problem solving (RCCA) and continuous improvement initiatives

  • Build scalable processes to support growth and operational excellence

People & Organizational Development

  • Build and lead a high-performing, accountable organization

  • Develop leadership capability, succession depth, and team engagement

  • Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement

Cross-Functional Integration

  • Partner with Engineering and Program Management on development and production readiness

  • Support Business Development in proposal reviews and new opportunity evaluation

  • Align operations with customer requirements and business objectives

Financial & Strategic Management

  • Manage departmental budgets and cost performance

  • Lead capital planning and facility/equipment investments

  • Support long-term capacity planning and growth strategy

  • Contribute to site and enterprise-level operational strategy

Core Competencies

Enterprise Leadership Mindset
Balances operational execution with long-term business objectives.

People Leadership & Culture Building
Builds strong teams, develops leaders, and creates accountability.

EBOS / Lean Leadership
Drives disciplined execution through operating systems and continuous improvement.

Strategic Execution
Translates complex priorities into clear, actionable plans.

SQDC Results Orientation
Uses data to drive measurable performance improvements.

Cross-Functional Influence
Effectively collaborates across engineering, programs, and commercial teams.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required (Engineering or related field preferred); advanced degree a plus

  • 15+ years of operational leadership experience in manufacturing

  • Proven experience leading a site or large-scale operations organization

  • Background in aerospace, defense, or other regulated manufacturing environments

  • Experience in high-mix, low-volume or engineer-to-order production environments

  • Strong leadership, coaching, and team development experience

  • Deep experience with Lean / operating systems (EBOS, DBS, or equivalent)

  • Financial acumen including budgeting, cost control, and capital planning

  • Ability to analyze data across the value stream and drive systemic improvements

  • Experience working in cross-functional, integrated product team environments

  • Energetics experience is a plus

A Defining Leadership Opportunity

Scope & Ownership
Full accountability for a critical manufacturing site.

Growth & Career Path
Opportunity to expand scope as the business continues to grow.

Operational Excellence Culture
A company committed to EBOS, disciplined execution, and continuous improvement.

Mission Impact
Direct contribution to critical national defense and space programs.

Location
Simsbury, CT offers strong quality of life with access to major metropolitan areas.

Compensation and Rewards

We recognize that world-class leaders deliver world-class impact, and we reward accordingly. This role offers a competitive executive package that includes:

Base Salary: $175k - $225k plus annual bonus

Executive Relocation: Comprehensive support for a seamless transition

Additional Enhancements: Potential sign-on incentives and tailored rewards based on experience

We offer a competitive compensation package aligned with skills & experience, with flexibility to reward top talent and extraordinary qualifications.

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you are a proven operations leader ready to take full ownership of a complex site, build a high-performing organization, and deliver meaningful results, we encourage you to explore this opportunity.

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.

Apply