Director of Operations
Confidential Jobs · Merrillville, IN
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Production
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 12+ years
- Certification
- Black Belt preferred
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level production role at Confidential Jobs (industrial) in Merrillville, IN. Operational Leadership : The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable in collaborating with the company’s leadership team to set the overall direction of the operation along its lean journey as well as managing the day-to-day tactical needs of the.
- They ask for
- 12+ years · degree required · Black Belt preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Black Belt, Green Belt, Kaizen, 5S
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Production Engineer roles in Indiana: typical posted base $153k–$204k.
Median of the low and high ends of 4 live postings that list pay, out of 18 production engineer openings in Indiana, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Indiana plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 17 other live production postings in Indiana.
- Experience asked
- More than usual (12+ vs 8+)
Similar roles usually ask 8+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 50%
- ✓ Team leadership 44%
- ✓ Root cause 39%
- EHS / safety 33%
- ✓ Six Sigma 28%
- New product launch 22%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Black Belt, Green Belt, Value stream mapping, TPM, 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 Confidential Jobs
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 Confidential JobsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Required Skills and Abilities
- ✓Education : Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, or a related field. An MBA or advanced degree is a plus.
- ✓Lean Certification : Certification in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or a similar process improvement methodology (e.g., Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt) is a plus.
- ✓Experience : At least 12 years of experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role (e.g., Operations Manager, Plant Manager, etc.). Proven experience in implementing Lean manufacturing practices and driving process improvement.
- ✓Technical Skills : Strong knowledge of Lean manufacturing tools and techniques (e.g., Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, 5S, JIT, TPM, Poka-Yoke). Familiarity with ERP systems, production scheduling software, and other relevant technologies.
- ✓Leadership Skills : Proven track record of leading and managing teams in a manufacturing environment. Strong decision-making abilities, excellent communication skills, and the ability to inspire and motivate staff.
- ✓Problem-Solving Abilities : Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to resolve complex operational issues quickly and efficiently using Lean problem-solving and Root Cause Analysis.
- ✓Financial Acumen : Experience in managing budgets, controlling costs, and driving profitability, with a focus on Lean cost-saving strategies.
- ✓Soft Skills : Exceptional organizational skills, time management, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment under pressure.
Seniority level Director
Employment type Full-time
Job function Management, Production, and Strategy/Planning
Industries Manufacturing
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Show full description ↓Show less ↑
- •Operational Leadership : The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable in collaborating with the company’s leadership team to set the overall direction of the operation along its lean journey as well as managing the day-to-day tactical needs of the operation alongside the broader operations team.
- •Strategic Planning & Lean Implementation : Develop and implement long-term strategies for improving plant operations, incorporating Lean methodologies aimed at improving operational performance, reducing lead times, and minimizing waste. Lead the evolution of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that incorporate Lean tools and techniques for sustained improvement.
- •Team Management & Lean Culture : Manage and mentor a team of department heads and supervisors. Foster a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging Lean thinking, training staff on Lean methodologies, and leading Kaizen events to drive process changes.
- •Safety & Compliance : Champion the plant's safety culture.
- •Quality Control & Lean Integration : Lead, and work alongside with, the Quality and ME Manager to ensure industry leading quality performance levels. Work closely with the quality assurance team to monitor product quality, identify defects, and implement corrective actions.
- •Inventory & Production Control : Oversee inventory levels and planning schedules to ensure the timely availability of materials and minimize downtime due to supply shortages. Implement Lean practices such as Just-In-Time (JIT) to optimize inventory management and reduce waste.
- •Performance Reporting : Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and provide regular reports to upper management, highlighting successes, challenges, and improvement initiatives.
- •Customer Relations : Collaborate with sales, customer service, and other departments to ensure customer satisfaction through on-time delivery, product quality, and responsiveness to customer needs.