Director of Production

Director of Production

Mission

As a senior leadership role, the Director of Production is responsible for the strategic and day-to-day oversight of production, inventory control, and manufacturing planning functions. This role ensures operational efficiency, product quality, and timely delivery across all manufacturing activities. The Director fosters cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement in alignment with Ocean Sonics’ values and business strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Production Leadership

- Develop and execute integrated operational strategies across production, inventory management, and manufacturing planning.
- Set departmental KPIs and performance benchmarks aligned with organizational goals.
- Lead capacity planning, demand forecasting, and resource optimization to support current and future growth.

Operational Excellence

- Oversee end-to-end production operations, including scheduling, workflow execution, and reporting.
- Direct inventory control processes to ensure accuracy, traceability, and alignment with supply chain needs.
- Manage manufacturing planning activities to optimize material availability, minimize lead times, and balance workloads.

People Leadership & Team Development

- Build and lead a high-performing production team, including leaders in production, planning, and inventory.
- Foster a values-based culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
- Guide succession planning, cross-training, and staff development programs to enhance flexibility and engagement.

Product and Process Innovation

- Collaborate with Engineering, R&D, and Design on manufacturability and process improvements.
- Lead adoption of new technologies, equipment, and lean practices to increase efficiency and scalability.
- Promote Six Sigma and continuous improvement frameworks across operational disciplines.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

- Ensure all production meets or exceed ISO, safety, and regulatory compliance standards.
- Lead investigations and corrective/preventive actions for operational issues.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation supporting compliance and traceability.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Act as a key liaison between production and other departments including Sales, Procurement, and Quality.
- Participate in strategic planning and customer engagement to align production and delivery expectations.
- Translate executive objectives into actionable operational plans and metrics.

Change Management

- Lead organizational change initiatives that improve operational efficiency, systems, and culture.
- Communicate change objectives clearly and gain alignment across teams.
- Manage risk and minimize disruption during transitions in processes, technologies, or structures.
- Foster a culture that embraces innovation, flexibility, and continuous learning.

Required Qualifications & Experience

- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Production Management, or a related field.
- 7–10+ years of operational leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Proven expertise in managing production, inventory systems, and manufacturing planning.
- Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP platforms, forecasting tools, and planning software.
- Working knowledge of ISO 9001, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in electronics, high-tech manufacturing, or acoustic product sectors.
- Familiarity with transducer technology and underwater acoustics.
- Proficiency in analytics and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, Python, MATLAB).
- Formal training in Lean, Six Sigma, or PMP certification.

Core Competencies

- Strategic Thinking – Aligns long-term vision with operational execution.
- Operational Discipline – Drives precision, structure, and consistency.
- Leadership & Coaching – Inspires, mentors, and elevates teams.
- Customer-Centric Mindset – Prioritizes customer value in all decisions.
- Collaborative Communication –Bridges departments with clarity and purpose.
- Change Management – Guides teams through transition with clarity, empathy, and effectiveness.

Ocean Sonics Values (Lived Daily)

- We Care
- We’re Honest
- We Do the Right Thing
- We’re Curious
- We’re Innovative
- We’re Passionate

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