Director of Manufacturing

Job Description

Opportunity Overview

The Director of Manufacturing will lead all facets of the manufacturing strategy and performance of two connected sites that produce rigid flex circuits and large format, thin film flexible circuits. The selected candidate will lead the execution of business objectives and strategic goals, including capital investment plans, continuous improvement, and the directional leadership of production and operational support teams. This role supports safety initiatives throughout plant operations and provides hands-on direction and support on the production floor.

This is a significant opportunity for a proven manufacturing leader to build upon the company’s history of growth by capitalizing on opportunities for product and market expansion and continuing to help grow top-line revenue and bottom-line profitability.

All Flex Solutions is a Granite Company, sharing the Granite Partners objective of 100-year sustainability. This is a fantastic opportunity for a leader who appreciates and embraces the entrepreneurial environment surrounding All Flex Solutions as well as the benefits and support of being a Granite Company. The Director of Manufacturing will collaborate with other leaders throughout the Granite community and serve as a member of the Lean & Operations Affinity.

The Position

Reporting to the SVP of Operations & Supply Chain, the Director of Manufacturing will lead the production and operational support teams to produce quality products in a safe manner, on time, economically, and at the desired level of customer care. This role supports safety initiatives throughout plant operations and provides continuous improvement direction and support on the production floor.

The Director of Manufacturing will lead the planning, directing, and controlling of connected-site activities to ensure a high performing organization that delivers high quality, consistent products that meet or exceed customer expectations. The Director of Manufacturing is a key position for All Flex Solutions, responsible for enhancing and evolving a world-class manufacturing approach that optimizes employee safety, customer satisfaction, quality, efficiency, employee relations, and performance measures. The Director of Manufacturing will develop and execute manufacturing strategies that meet or exceed operational business objectives and optimize capital and human resources.

As a member of the leadership team, the Director of Manufacturing is responsible for integrating all functions from order entry to successful delivery with a continuous focus on improvement and efficiency. This position requires a strong, interactive leader who is fully competent in manufacturing systems that produce components and final assemblies to specific customer requirements in a high-mix environment. This individual will work collaboratively to increase the value of the business with other functions and customers to align operational capabilities with short- and long-term needs.

Primary responsibilities include :

• Lead production and operational support teams to achieve plant safety, quality, on-time delivery, and productivity goals. Contribute to corporate strategy and culture as a key member of the leadership team.
• Lead operations strategy and planning for the sites, including participation in the development of annual business objectives and strategies. Establish annual operating budgets, inventory control targets, and performance goals and own the annual capital planning process for the facilities.
• Establish and execute operational objectives and KPIs in alignment with strategic business plans, annual financial performance, and corporate objectives. Be responsible for increasing the value of the business through operations execution improvement and cost optimization measures.
• Develop and implement a capital spending plan to achieve targeted growth, process improvements, lean initiatives, and cost savings, in addition to addressing current maintenance and growth.
• Direct and align manufacturing execution in accordance with Quality Management System, production planning, maintenance, and logistics.
• Assist and support new product development by advising on design manufacturability. Effectively plan resource utilization to ensure the successful launch and implementation of new products, platforms, processes, and controls to meet or exceed demand schedules.
• Champion, promote, and motivate teams to execute ongoing continuous improvement and value-add project efforts. Drive continuous improvement in manufacturing and lead participation in implementing and sustaining initiatives that impact quality, delivery, and cost performance.
• Support all health and safety initiatives related to the facility by providing leadership for all policies and procedures and continually improving safety records by addressing both physical safety issues and employee safety attitudes.
• Enable regular collaboration among cross-functional departments, including engineering and quality, to identify, correct, and prevent non-conformance issues and engage with Business Development, Sales, and Product / Program Management to align customer visits, tours, meetings, “lunch & learns,” and manufacturing needs.
• Manage the wet process waste treatment for Rigid Flex and work in conjunction with the EHS Manager to deliver personnel training and compliance reporting.
• Develop and maintain strong employee relations at all levels of the company, while also motivating, coaching, and developing a diverse, high-performing leadership team. Ensure that the operations departments are staffed with highly motivated and skilled professionals who contribute to the company’s overall mission.
• Lead and manage the site operations team through effective coaching, mentoring, and performance management by setting clear goals and expectations, providing regular feedback, and fostering a supportive environment that promotes professional growth and high performance.
• Oversee employee training and development programs to ensure that the site operations team is equipped with the latest skills, knowledge, and best practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, engagement, and retention while maintaining high standards of performance.

Candidate Profile

The Director of Manufacturing will have a proven track record of success leading manufacturing activities. This key position requires a minimum of 10 years of manufacturing leadership experience in a job shop manufacturing environment. The Director of Manufacturing must possess an understanding and passion for developing people. The preferred candidate will possess an understanding of medical and defense industry standards for how PCBA interconnect flex circuits and Thermofoil heating solutions are produced. An undergraduate degree, ideally with a technical or business management focus (e.g. Manufacturing Management, Engineering, Business Administration) is required; an advanced degree is desired.

Qualified candidates will possess a strong operations and manufacturing background with a broad understanding of customer relations, product specifications, and market conditions that affect competitiveness when dealing with engineered products. Experience managing production within a Quality Management System, holding certifications (QMAS, ISO, NadCap, IPC, etc.), and having a proven track record of leading Lean manufacturing improvements, implementing and sustaining 5S, Six Sigma, Theory of Constraints, and Cell Manufacturing. NetSuite (or broad ERP) experience is a significant plus, along with a proven ability to manage resources and schedules within the system.

The successful candidate must have excellent business acumen and an operations aptitude with strong communication skills and the ability to think strategically. He or she will have an outstanding track record and reputation for driving improvement with business judgment, leadership skills, and integrity. This individual must have the ability to establish immediate credibility at all levels, inside and outside the organization. Exceptional leadership skills are essential, characterized by a drive to succeed through staff development.

Additionally, this individual must have the capacity to collaborate with other leaders within All Flex Solutions and Granite Partners, taking advantage of resources throughout the organization and becoming an integral part of the team and serving the organization as a whole.

Location

All Flex Solutions is headquartered in Northfield, Minnesota, and has four Minnesota manufacturing facilities : one in Northfield and three in Bloomington. The Director of Manufacturing will be based in Bloomington.

Compensation & Benefits

We offer a competitive base salary in the $165,000 to $180,000 range, based on experience and qualifications, along with an annual bonus and the opportunity to participate in long-term incentives, including a stock appreciation rights (SARs) program.

Beyond pay, our market-leading benefits are designed to support your wellbeing. These include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, as well as short- and long-term disability coverage. We also provide a health savings account with company match, a retirement plan with employer contributions through Vanguard, and access to the Granite Assistance Fund for support when it’s needed most. We value time for rest and personal growth, offering generous paid time off, including volunteer time off and paid holidays.