DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS (SERVICE AND INSTALLATION) JOB DESCRIPTION
SALARY RANGE : $120,000 - $140,000 Annually
Reports to Managing Partner
POSITION SUMMARY
Neu-Ion is seeking a strategic, hands-on Director of Operations to lead our Service and Installation divisions. This role will be responsible for ensuring operational excellence, customer satisfaction, field team performance, and cross-functional coordination across all service and installation projects. The ideal candidate is a proven leader with experience in water treatment, systems integration, or a related technical services field.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Service & Installation Oversight
- Provide oversight of daily operations of service, installation, regeneration, and field support teams
- Ensure projects are installed on time, on budget, and meet specifications
- Oversee preventive maintenance schedules, emergency service response, and customer support programs
- Support coordination of resource allocation and scheduling across Installation, Service, and Regeneration teams
- Implement quality control measures and ensure compliance with water system standards
Strategic & Operational Leadership
Develop and implement SOPs for installations, field service, site readiness, safety, and logisticsDrive operational KPIs and establish performance metrics across all departmentsOversee quality control, compliance (water system standards), and site documentationLead continuous improvement initiatives and process optimization effortsEnsure operational alignment with company goals and strategic objectivesCustomer & Cross-Functional Coordination
Serve as liaison between sales, project management, engineering, and field teamsInterface with high-profile customers during kickoff, site visits, or escalationsEnsure all post-sale commitments (QBR follow-ups, site reviews, etc.) are executed effectivelyFacilitate collaboration between Project Management and Engineering to ensure project delivery excellenceResolve cross-departmental conflicts and bottlenecks quickly and effectivelyTeam Management & Development
Work with HR to recruit, develop training programs, and mentor field service technicians, installers, and direct reports.Conduct quarterly performance reviews and develop career pathways for high performersHold one-on-one team meetings with direct reports at a minimum once per month, but typically weekly or bi-weeklyBuild a culture of accountability, communication, continuous improvement, and swift responsiveness to operational challengesProvide direct oversight and guidance to department heads and team leadersPerformance Management & Optimization
Monitor and analyze operational performance metrics and financial indicatorsIdentify areas for cost reduction and efficiency improvementsOversee capacity planning and resource managementManage vendor relationships and supplier coordinationEnsure proper equipment maintenance and operational readinessReporting & Communication
Provide regular operational reports and updates to Managing PartnerPresent operational performance metrics and improvement recommendationsMaintain transparent communication channels across all levels of the organizationLead operational meetings and cross-departmental coordination sessionsRequired Qualifications
Experience & Background
5-10 years of leadership experience in operations, installation, or field service—ideally in water purification, construction, plumbing, HVAC, biotech, or similar industriesProven success managing technical field teams and large-scale installationsProven track record of managing diverse teams and complex operational workflowsExperience in industrial, technical, or field service operationsTechnical Skills & Knowledge
Knowledge of RO / DI, pretreatment, and other high-purity water systems (preferred)Strong understanding of CRM (Pipedrive), field service software, inventory logistics, and job costingProficiency in operational management software, ERP systems, and data analysis toolsUnderstanding of safety regulations and compliance requirementsBackground in process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, or similar) highly valuedLeadership & Management
Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop high-performing teamsStrong conflict resolution and decision-making skillsExperience managing department heads and cross-functional teamsAbility to drive change and implement process improvementsPrevious experience reporting to ownership or executive leadershipCommunication & Customer Interface
Excellent communication, organizational, and customer-facing skillsStrong presentation and reporting capabilitiesAbility to interface professionally with high-profile customersCustomer service orientation and stakeholder management experiencePreferred Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in operations management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related fieldProfessional certifications in operations management or process improvementOSHA 30, PMP, or relevant certifications (a plus)Experience in installation, service, or regeneration operationsKnowledge of pharmaceutical, healthcare, data center, academic, and biotech client requirementsPerformance Metrics (KPIs)
The successful candidate will be measured against the following performance indicators : Subject to evolve.
Service response timeMonthly Revenue InvoicedOn-time project deliverablesCustomers follow up callsCustomer RetentionEnhanced cross-departmental coordination and communicationSuccessful implementation of process improvementsStrong financial performance and cost managementWhat We Offer
Competitive compensation packageOpportunity to make significant impact on company operationsDirect reporting relationship to Managing Partner with high visibilityProfessional development and growth opportunitiesCollaborative and dynamic work environmentWhy Neu-Ion?
Neu-Ion is a family-owned leader in high purity water systems with decades of experience supporting pharmaceutical, healthcare, data centers, academic, and biotech clients. We value excellence, loyalty, and long-term customer partnerships—and we're growing. This position offers the opportunity to join a respected industry leader and play a key role in our continued expansion and operational excellence.
This position requires a hands-on leader who thrives in a dynamic environment and is passionate about operational excellence in the water treatment industry. The ideal candidate will be someone who can see the big picture while maintaining attention to detail, ensuring our operations run smoothly and efficiently across all departments while maintaining our reputation for exceptional customer service and technical expertise.
Ø OSHA 30, PMP, or relevant certifications (a plus).
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the Director of Operations role.
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.Occasional walking, standing, bending, and reaching as necessary.Ability to travel to various work sites, attend off-site meetings, or visit operational facilities as needed.Must be able to lift up to 15–25 pounds occasionally (e.g., carrying documents, laptops, or small equipment).Ability to maintain focus and attention to detail in a fast-paced and sometimes high-pressure environment.May occasionally need to work evenings or weekends to meet critical deadlines or respond to urgent operational issues.