Director Operations Manager Startup Jobs in Missouri

At Watlow’s Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Columbia, Missouri, we combine precision manufacturing with forward-thinking innovation. Part of a global thermal solutions leader founded in 1922, our Columbia facility is a critical hub for high-performance manufacturing, engineering, and operational excellence.

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We are hiring a: Director, Operations

Columbia, Missouri (On-Site)

Watlow is seeking a Director of Operations to lead our Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Columbia, Missouri. Reporting to the Senior Director of Operations, you will provide both strategic direction and hands-on leadership across production, quality, safety, supply chain, and engineering to deliver world-class products and drive operational excellence. As a key member of the Operations Leadership Team, you will partner closely with Business Units, New Product Development, and executive leadership to align operational capabilities with business objectives.

This is a high-impact opportunity for an experienced operations leader who thrives in complex, high-tech manufacturing environments, is passionate about Lean transformation, and has the vision to build and develop high-performing teams. If you are a hands-on leader who drives accountability and continuous improvement from the shop floor to the executive table, we would love to connect with you.

What You’ll Do:

• Manufacturing Leadership: Lead all manufacturing operations to consistently achieve safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives across the Columbia facility.
• Team Development: Build, coach, and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement at every level of the organization.
• Lean Transformation: Drive the application of Lean principles to streamline processes, improve throughput, and enhance overall equipment effectiveness — embedding behaviors, not just tools.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with Business Units and New Product Development to ensure seamless integration of new products into production, aligning operational capabilities with innovation priorities.
• Performance Management: Establish and monitor KPIs to track performance, productivity, and Lean progress, using data to drive informed decisions and continuous improvement.
• Compliance & Quality: Ensure compliance with all regulatory, environmental, and industry standards, and champion quality through robust control measures and a culture of excellence.
• Financial Stewardship: Manage budgets, resources, and capital investments with a focus on efficiency and return, identifying and pursuing cost-reduction opportunities across products, processes, and projects.
• Technology & Innovation: Evaluate and introduce new technologies, systems, and methods to strengthen production capabilities and competitive positioning.
• Engagement & Culture: Lead site-level engagement initiatives that align with Watlow’s purpose, vision, and strategy, promoting collaboration, trust, and open communication across leadership, teams, and stakeholders.
• Watlow Business System: Represent the site within the Watlow Business System (WBS) framework, ensuring consistent adoption of best practices across the organization.

What you’ll need to succeed?

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business
• 10+ years of progressive leadership in manufacturing operations, with direct oversight of production, supply chain, engineering, and quality
• Demonstrated success implementing Lean principles at scale with hands-on transformation experience, not just knowledge
• Semiconductor industry or similarly complex, high-precision manufacturing environment experience
• Proven project management track record delivering on-time, on-budget initiatives
• Experience with New Product Introduction (NPI/NPD) in a manufacturing setting
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with a data-driven approach to performance management and decision-making
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed (<10%)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (MS or MBA) in Business, Engineering, or Operations Management
• Lean Six Sigma certification (Black Belt or Master Black Belt)
• Change management experience leading cultural transformations in complex organizations
• Background aligning and collaborating with front-end design and development functions (BU, Sales, Engineering) to ensure linkage to the manufacturing setting
• Experience scaling operations in high-growth or innovation-driven industries