Job Description

Title: Manufacturing Operations Director
Location: Independence, MO

Salary: $196,000+ depending on experience
Schedule: 980 Schedule

Websites: Winchester.com and WhiteFlyer.com

Focus: The Manufacturing Operations Director is responsible for the strategic leadership of high-volume manufacturing, production, and operational functions within our ammunition facility. This role ensures operational excellence, safety, and efficiency while aligning with company goals and regulatory requirements. The Director provides executive oversight, drives continuous improvement, and sets the direction for production strategies to meet customer demands and business objectives.

Manufacturing Operations Director Essential Job Functions:

• Provide executive oversight of production operations leading a multi-level organization of approximately 1,400 employees from our frontline operators to associate directors ensuring performance goals, quality standards, and delivery commitments are met.
• Champion a culture of continued growth within a tenured workforce, strengthening accountability, engagement, and performance while respecting institutional knowledge.
• Own operational performance across multiple high-volume product lines, ensuring alignment with quality, delivery, and customer requirements in a complex, large-scale manufacturing environment.
• Drive enterprise strategies for capacity, throughput, and inventory optimization across large-scale manufacturing operations, supporting annual production volumes in the billions of units.
• Oversee operating performance and resource allocation, delivering disciplined cost control, productivity improvements, and operational efficiency at scale.
• Lead Lean, Continuous Improvement, and Operational Excellence initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and drive sustainable performance gains.
• Champion a culture of safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence, ensuring alignment with OSHA and all applicable federal and state EHS regulations.
• Partner with executive leadership on long-term strategy to define and implement strategic initiatives, performance metrics, and operational priorities.

Manufacturing Operations Director Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree* in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline; Master’s degree or MBA preferred
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in high-volume manufacturing operations.
• Proven ability to lead large, complex operations, including experience supporting organizations of 900+ employees in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Strategic thinker with exceptional organizational, communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills.
• Experience with ERP systems and data-driven decision-making; advanced Excel proficiency helpful but not the primary focus.
• Demonstrated success in leading Lean/Continuous Improvement initiatives and operational transformations.
• Valid driver’s license; travel up to 10% may be required.

Location-Specific Requirements: 

• This position requires successful vetting as an Employee Possessor in accordance with U.S. Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 
• This position requires access to ITAR controlled technical data, and as such, employment will be contingent upon the candidate's ability to access ITAR controlled technical data pursuant to an export license approved by the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, if required.
• This position requires successful vetting for unescorted access in accordance with U.S. Army and Department of Defense access policies. The US Government does not allow non-US citizens on-site at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant.  Therefore, to be considered in the hiring process, the candidate must be a US citizen.  

Strong Careers Grow Here
Rooted in our corporate values, Olin continues to be the global leader in both ammunition and chemical manufacturing. We invest, recognize, and reward the talents and contributions of our employees, empowering over 8,000 global individuals to make an impact both at work and in surrounding communities.

Olin fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace, where you are encouraged to join or lead our Olin People Networks. These voluntary groups connect employees across sites, divisions and functions to strengthen connections, belonging, and community involvement. View a snapshot of our comprehensive benefits package.

*Degree must be from a school that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary of Education of the U.S. Department of Education or equivalent program from an international university.   

Olin does not provide any form of sponsorship.  We will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States.  Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J or TN or who need sponsorship now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.

Olin is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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