Director of Operations - Print and Hardware
Britten, Inc. · Traverse City, MI
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Production
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 40+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level production role at Britten, Inc. (industrial) in Traverse City, MI. In partnership with the VP of Quality, implement quality program improvements that focus on the reduction of total Cost of Quality through the reduction of both external and internal quality issues.
- They ask for
- 40+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Root cause, Automation
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Production Engineer roles in the US: typical posted base $116k–$158k.
Median of the low and high ends of 241 live postings that list pay, out of 787 production engineer openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Michigan plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 20 other live production postings in Michigan.
- Experience asked
- More than usual (40+ vs 8+)
Similar roles usually ask 8+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 67%
- Team leadership 52%
- Six Sigma 33%
- ✓ Automation 33%
- New product launch 33%
- Cost reduction 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention 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 Britten, Inc.
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?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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 Britten, Inc.As posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Job Summary and Job Functions
- ◆Provide clear roles and direction to all individuals working in Print and Hardware Operations.
- ◆Measure and manage labor and material efficiency within the Print and Hardware Operations to achieve cost efficiencies.
- ◆Manage and track operational metrics and use pareto analysis to drive root cause analysis and implement permanent corrective actions.
- ◆In partnership with the VP of Quality, implement quality program improvements that focus on the reduction of total Cost of Quality through the reduction of both external and internal quality issues.
- ◆Drive the adoption and sustainment of automation throughout the operations to increase operational efficiencies, this includes manufacturing equipment, automation software, and AI platforms.
- ◆Work with our Sales and Project Management teams to develop, implement and enforce a production schedule which results in all orders shipping within the agreed upon deadline.
- ◆Implement lean concepts to increase the flow and throughput Print and Hardware Operations.
- ◆Utilize Required to Operate (RTO) program to increase labor utilization company wide.
- ◆Manage the capacity model for Print and Hardware operations and collaborate with Sales and Project Management on capacity opportunities.
- ◆Develop trust, commitment, and accountability amongst your team leaders and team members.
- ◆Coach, train, and develop the next generation of Operations leaders at Britten.
- ◆Align with and believe in the company core values: We Say Yes, We Hustle, We Think Bigger, We Keep Promises, We Build People Up
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to be exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope of the position. Duties,
responsibilities
and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Requirements
- ✓Previous experience in manufacturing leadership.
- ✓Knowledge of lean manufacturing concepts and continuous improvement required.
- ✓Critical thinking and the ability to solve problems quickly.
- ✓Experience in effectively leading a team.
- ✓Proven ability to deal with a wide range of personal issues including career development and conflict resolution.
- ✓Understanding financial statements and the ability to impact them based on your management decisions.
- ✓Does not hesitate to jump in and help the team when needed.
- ✓Able to work in a fast pace, dynamic environment.
- ✓The ability to regularly use good judgment and discretion to make educated decisions for the greater good of the company.
- ✓Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to interpret/make data-driven decisions.
- ✓Bachelor’s degree required; with a preference for degrees focused on operations, supply chain, and/or manufacturing engineering.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to be exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope of the position. Duties,
responsibilities
and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
A competitive hourly rate and/or salary is being offered and a full benefits package for all full-time positions. Benefits Package Highlights:
- ◆Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance coverage options
- ◆401K with employer match of contribution (Employer match equal to 50% of contributions to the plan, up to 6% of employee’s pay)
- ◆Paid Holidays
- ◆Paid Time Off (Full time employees)
- ◆Educational Assistance
- ◆Life Insurance-company provided
- ◆Reimbursem
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Description
Britten Inc. is a world-class event fabricator, partnering with leading brands and agencies to design, engineer, and build high-impact environments that perform in the real world. For 40 years, we’ve combined world-class design thinking with advanced fabrication, printing, and manufacturing capabilities to deliver complex, large-scale experiences; from custom event builds and branded environments to immersive installations that bring campaigns to life.
Headquartered in Traverse City, Michigan, Britten is built for execution at the highest level. We take on ambitious, complex work and deliver it from concept through fabrication and final deployment. Our reputation has been earned through a solution-driven mindset, a commitment to precision, and the ability to turn bold ideas into fully realized physical experiences.
We are a team of builders, problem-solvers, and collaborators who thrive in fast-paced, high-expectation environments. We believe in craftsmanship, accountability, and doing whatever it takes—together—to deliver work that stands apart.
At Britten, we don’t just build what’s been done before. We build what’s next.
Learn more at www.britteninc.com
What We Seek...
We are looking for an individual who has a passion for building and sustaining a highly performing team focused on continuous improvements in all areas of manufacturing. The Director of Operations of Print and Hardware is responsible for leading the Digital Print, Fabrication, Hardware, Art and Shipping teams at Britten and driving improvements in quality, throughput, and cost through lean manufacturing techniques. The ideal candidate will enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, making calculated and quick decisions to eliminate bottlenecks, and building their Operations team up through guidance and delegation.
We want people who align with and can live our core values
We Say Yes
We Hustle
We Think Bigger
We Keep Promises
We Build People Up
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- •Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- •Standing for extended periods of time.
- •Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- •Talking. Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.