Director, Operations Inhealth Technologies
Freudenberg · Carpinteria, CA
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Production
- Base pay
- $120k–$150k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Certification
- Black Belt preferred
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level production role at Freudenberg (industrial) in Carpinteria, CA. Lead all manufacturing operations for the site, including production, scheduling, and support functions, to achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and continuous improvement targets.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree required · Black Belt preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Black Belt, ISO 13485, FDA / GMP, SAP
- Base pay
- $120k–$150k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Production Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $122k–$175k. This one lists $120k–$150k.
Median of the low and high ends of 55 live postings that list pay, out of 135 production engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 134 other live production postings in California.
- Base pay
- About 5% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 5+)
Typical $116k–$170k, from 45 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- New product launch 38%
- ✓ Lean 32%
- Root cause 29%
- Automation 29%
- Team leadership 24%
- Python 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Black Belt, ISO 13485, FDA / GMP, SAP, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at Freudenberg
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- The posting mentions a Black Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from FreudenbergAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Lead all manufacturing operations for the site, including production, scheduling, and support functions, to achieve safety, quality, delivery, cost, and continuous improvement targets.
- ◆Oversee department-level planning, goal setting, and performance management across multiple shifts or production units.
- ◆Direct and develop an Operations team to ensure strong leadership pipeline and succession planning.
- ◆Collaborate with SBU functional leaders of Product Development, Quality, Regulatory and Finance to ensure operational readiness and alignment with business objectives.
- ◆Drive operational excellence through lean manufacturing, process improvement initiatives, and employee engagement programs.
- ◆Ensure compliance with global regulatory and quality standards, including ISO 13485, FDA, EU MDR, and other applicable country-specific requirements.
- ◆Lead operational input into site-level budget planning, cost management, and capital investments.
- ◆Monitor and report on operational KPIs and recommend actions to improve output, quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or Business required.
- ✓10+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 5 years in a senior leader capacity.
- ✓Deep knowledge of global regulatory
requirements
(e.g., FDA, ISO 13485, EU MDR, CFDA).
- ✓Proven success leading multi-shift teams in a regulated production environment.
- ✓Advanced business and financial acumen with experience managing operational budgets and CAPEX projects.
- ✓Strong cross-functional leadership, decision-making, and stakeholder management skills.
- ✓Proficiency in ERP (SAP preferred), Microsoft Office, and data-driven performance management.
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Graduate Degree in Operations, Engineering, or Business; or related field.
- ✓Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
- ✓Experience in medical device, life sciences, or other regulated industries.
Physical
Requirements
- ✓Frequent walking and standing in a manufacturing environment.
- ✓Occasional lifting up to 30 pounds.
- ✓Work in controlled manufacturing environments including cleanrooms and PPE/gowning areas.
- ✓Ability to support occasional off-hours, weekend production needs, or emergency escalations.
Freudenberg Medical LLC
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Working at Freudenberg: We will wow your world!