Director of Operations - North Region at SurfacePrep

Fortville, Indiana, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

08 May, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

07 Feb, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Operations Management, Customer Service, Continuous Improvement, Leadership, Team Development, Safety Culture, Quality Assurance, Productivity, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Budget Management, Data Analysis, Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Microsoft Office Suite, Applied Mathematics, Presentation Skills

Industry

Industrial Machinery Manufacturing

Description

Description The Director of Operations is responsible for leading and sustaining a Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) operating system across distribution operations and customer service. This role ensures consistent execution, continuous improvement, and customer-focused performance across People, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (PQDC). The Director of Operations drives both incremental daily improvements and breakthrough improvements through rapid improvement events and strategic initiatives, while developing strong operational and customer service leadership capability throughout the organization. This role will ideally be based in either Fortville, IN, or Byron Center/Grand Rapids, MI, and will be responsible for overseeing regional operational performance while traveling approximately 50% of the time. Supervisory Responsibilities Distribution Operations (multi-site or regional) Customer Service (order entry and customer responsiveness) People development Hiring and training departmental managers and other team members as required Organize and oversee the work and schedules of departmental managers Manages discipline and termination of employees as needed and in accordance with company policy Job Duties/Responsibilities Establish standard daily, weekly, and monthly operating procedures (tiered meetings, visual management, KPI reviews) Ensure performance gaps are identified, root causes understood, and countermeasures implemented and sustained Operations and Customer Service Performance (PQDC) o People – Lead & liaise with Safety Officers to build a strong safety culture through standard work, audits, & leadership behaviors o Quality - Own customer-facing quality performance o Delivery - Lead distribution execution to achieve and exceed customer delivery and responsiveness expectations o Cost - Drive productivity to scale the business effectively and maximize value for the customer Continuous Improvement Leadership o Lead incremental improvements in each Operational and Customer Service metric through effective engagement, root cause work and timely corrective actions o Lead breakthrough improvement initiatives through Rapid Improvement Events and cross-functional strategic projects Leadership & People Development o Lead and coach operational and customer service leadership o Own development planning for all direct reports o Ensure managers actively coach and develop their teams o Build a pipeline of future leaders through intentional development and exposure Cross-Functional Collaboration - Partner with cross-functional teams across the organization to: o Align operational capacity and supply with customer demand o Ensure adequate and appropriate stocking strategies o Balance service levels, inventory investment, and cost-to-serve o Act as the operational voice in demand, capacity, and inventory discussions Plan, direct, implement, evaluate, monitor, and forecast budgets and cost of sales in each division to achieve financial objectives Ensure all team members are informed and aware of policies, procedures, business performance and site-level performance on a regular basis Projects a positive image of the organization to employees, customers, industry, and community Performs other related duties as assigned Requirements Thorough understanding of practices, theories, and policies involved in business and finance Superior verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills Superior managerial and diplomacy skills Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite or related software Practice applied mathematics in collecting and quantifying data to make informed decisions for the business Effective presentation of data to review recommendations Ability to effectively organize and operate in a high-paced, dynamic work environment Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in Production, Operations, Supply Chain, Business Management, Industrial Engineering or related field Master’s degree in Business Administration preferred Extensive and diversified background with at least 10 years of related experience Physical Requirements Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times Benefits Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance. 401(k) Plan. Paid Time Off Paid Holidays. Company Paid Life Insurance. Company Paid Short-Term Disability. Company Paid Long-Term Disability. Employee Assistance Program. About SurfacePrep Founded in 1956, SurfacePrep is North America’s leading provider of surface enhancement solutions, with over 60 facilities across the United States, Canada, and Europe. With decades of experience, we deliver reliable equipment, consumables, and technical expertise that help manufacturers enhance performance, efficiency, and finishing quality across their operations. At SurfacePrep, we understand the importance of dependable and effective surface enhancement solutions. Our team partners with trusted manufacturers to provide comprehensive process improvements, hands-on technical support, and high-quality products across a wide range of applications — including coated and bonded abrasives, abrasive air and wheel blasting, mass finishing, paint and powder coating, additive manufacturing post-processing, and turnkey production services that help customers eliminate risk, protect uptime, and maintain consistent quality. Our national footprint combines local expertise with a robust network of resources, ensuring consistency, responsiveness, and innovation for customers across aerospace, automotive, medical, defense, general manufacturing, and more. By partnering with SurfacePrep, customers gain more than products — they gain a collaborative team committed to delivering results beyond the surface.

Responsibilities

The Director of Operations is responsible for leading distribution operations and customer service, ensuring consistent execution and continuous improvement. This role includes overseeing operational performance and developing leadership capabilities throughout the organization.