Knowledge Operations Manager Jobs in Ottawa, KS (NOW HIRING)

Job Description:

Company Overview

The ITW Fluids North America Division is a manufacturer of lubricants, cleaning chemicals, and corrosion preventatives formulated to maximize equipment productivity and product quality for customers. ITW Fluids Division includes five facilities in the United States and is a division of Illinois Tool Works, a Fortune 150 company.  We go to market through B2B with a focus on the automotive, aviation, fabricated metal, food processing and machinery manufacturing market segments. Offering a brand portfolio that is well recognized within these industrial channels, our premium products address customer pain points and our direct sales team provide expert value-added consulting at the customer level. ITW Pro Brands has 250 employees and 4 manufacturing facilities in: Olathe, KS, Tucker, GA, Easton, MD, and DeWitt, IA.

Our Values:

• Simplicity: focusing on the essential core of each business opportunity, guided by the “80/20” rule to streamline processes, systems and structures.
• Shared risk: collaborating as a team, taking joint responsibility, and learning from trial and error to drive innovation.
• Integrity: honesty, transparency, and doing the right thing in all business dealings, regardless of brand and location.
• Respect: valuing diversity in cultural backgrounds and fostering an open environment where innovation can thrive.
• Trust: relying on employees to uphold the highest professional standards and act in the company’s best interests.

What We Offer:

ITW’s benefits package is designed to provide comprehensive support for physical, mental, and financial well-being including healthcare, retirement planning, paid leave, wellness programs, and opportunities for charitable involvement.

Position Summary:

The Director of Operations provides overall direction, strategy, and planning for the division’s manufacturing facilities.  The Director of Operations, in partnership with the Plant Managers, will have overall responsibility for manufacturing operations at each facility to include manufacturing, shipping/receiving, quality, regulatory, EHS, maintenance, engineering, strategic sourcing and customer service. 

Core Responsibilities

• Develop team members through coaching, feedback, and performance reviews
• Promote a strong culture of quality, safety, and environmental compliance
• Set strategic direction to improve profitability, productivity, and efficiency
• Define site goals and ensure effective use of resources
• Build and execute functional strategies and annual plans with site and EHS leaders
• Partner across teams on innovation and new product development
• Drive continuous improvement using established tools and practices by championing ITW toolbox initiatives for manufacturing operations.
• Direct and report on performance against operational metrics: Safety/Cost/ Quality
• Lead global sourcing efforts to meet division goals
• Ensure operations meet customer and company quality standards
• Drive strong customer service performance
• Oversee major capital projects across facilities
• Coordinate cross-functional teams for efficient product launches and updates
• Partner with HR to build culture and support ITW values
• Encourage communication and collaboration across teams and sites
• Other duties as assigned.
• Travel: 30-50% for facility visits.

Qualifications / Requirements

• 10+ years of manufacturing management experience with proven leadership success
• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field (Mechanical Engineering preferred)
• Strong knowledge of project management tools and methods
• Experience managing a full-scale manufacturing operation (formulation to shipping)
• Familiar with ERP systems, GMP, EHS, regulatory and quality standards
• Knowledge of inventory management, sourcing, and lean manufacturing
• Experience overseeing multiple manufacturing sites
• Skilled in process control, lean practices, and change management
• Solid understanding of quality systems and customer service practices
• Strong communication and collaboration skills; able to influence at all levels
• Proven ability to build teams, develop talent, and manage performance
• Effective leader who drives results through others
• Strategic thinker with strong attention to detail
• Self-directed and able to work independently
• Strong work ethic

Compensation Information:

$142,500 -$237,500

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.