Director of Manufacturing Operations - Expat (Asia or Mexico)
Milwaukee Tool · Milwaukee, WI
- Level
- Director+
- Team
- Production
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 7+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
A director-level production role at Milwaukee Tool (industrial) in Milwaukee, WI.
- They ask for
- 7+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, 5S, Value stream mapping
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Production Engineer roles in Wisconsin: typical posted base $118k–$178k.
Median of the low and high ends of 7 live postings that list pay, out of 23 production engineer openings in Wisconsin, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Wisconsin plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 22 other live production postings in Wisconsin.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Typical (7+ years)
Typical $118k–$178k, from 6 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 7+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 52%
- Team leadership 48%
- Root cause 35%
- ✓ Six Sigma 26%
- ✓ Value stream mapping 26%
- EHS / safety 22%
✓ = 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 Milwaukee Tool
We found 3 people at this company and state: 2 in this kind of role, 1 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See 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.
Write to Erik → (free) - 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 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.
This plant: Milwaukee Tool in Milwaukee
4 other open roles at this site · 3 people we found in production roles at Milwaukee Tool.
- Sr Advanced Quality Engineer - Fall Protection · Quality · Senior
- Sr. Reliability Engineer · Reliability · Senior
- Reliability Engineer II · Reliability
- Quality Assurance Engineer I- Digital Platforms · Quality
Full description from Milwaukee ToolAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Your Role on Our Team
The Director of Operations will be responsible for defined operations functions supporting Milwaukee Tool’s global Power Tools facilities. You will drive operational excellence, implement world-class manufacturing strategies, and build high-performing teams that support Milwaukee Tool's ambitious growth.
This role will start in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for the first six months and transition to an expatriate assignment in PRC, Vietnam, or Mexico, where you will lead initiatives that align with our global expansion and operational strategies.
responsibilities
- ◆Develop and execute an operational strategy that delivers best-in-class safety, quality, service levels, and cost efficiency.
- ◆Establish manufacturing strategies, footprints, facilities, and operations to support global business growth and customer
requirements
effectively and efficiently.
- ✓Build and maintain a global culture rooted in Milwaukee Tool’s core values, fostering open communication, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- ✓Implement operational disciplines and best practices, including Lean principles, 5S, KPI dashboards, workforce agility, and data-driven decision-making.
- ✓Drive continuous improvement by identifying and addressing gaps in processes, systems, and technologies across the global value stream.
- ✓Collaborate with New Product Development teams to ensure seamless integration of operations for global product launches.
- ✓Lead the development and mentoring of high-energy, talented operations teams across all regions.
- ✓Monitor, report, and analyze operational performance globally, leveraging technology and real-time data for informed decision-making.
- ✓Build strong relationships with cross-functional teams, including sales, engineering, and product management, to ensure alignment with business objectives.
- ✓Cultivate end-user demand and distribution partnerships through strategic promotions, training, and engagement initiatives.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Job Description
INNOVATE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES!
At Milwaukee Tool, we believe our people and culture are the keys to our success. We are committed to empowering employees with resources and opportunities to redefine the industry. With a fast-paced, innovative environment, we foster growth, development, and excellence in every aspect of our operations. Join us to lead the transformation of power tools manufacturing on a global scale. Learn more about our story HERE .
What TOOLS you’ll bring with you
- •Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, Business, or a related technical field.
- •Minimum of 7 years of progressive management experience in manufacturing operations, including exposure to global manufacturing.
- •Expertise in high-volume consumer product assembly component manufacturing.
- •Proven track record of strategic planning, Profit and Loss (P&L) management, and Quality Systems.
- •Strong understanding of Lean principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and continuous improvement tools.
Other TOOLS we prefer you to have
- •Experience in start-up or high-growth manufacturing environments.
- •Demonstrated ability to optimize processes through value stream mapping and other Lean tools.
- •Strong business judgment with the ability to prioritize and articulate high-impact initiatives.
- •Familiarity with diverse cultural environments and ability to lead teams across multiple geographies.