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Director of Operations

Smiths Group · Melrose Park, IL

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Level
Director+
Team
Production
Degree
Required
Experience asked
10+ years
Industry
Industrial
Posted
11 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A director-level production role at Smiths Group (industrial) in Melrose Park, IL.

They ask for
10+ years · degree required
Tools it names
Lean

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 9, 2026

Production Engineer roles in Illinois: typical posted base $99k–$146k.

Median of the low and high ends of 33 live postings that list pay, out of 62 production engineer openings in Illinois, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Illinois plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 61 other live production postings in Illinois.

Base pay
Not listed in this posting

Typical $98k–$143k, from 30 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
More than usual (10+ vs 7+)

Similar roles usually ask 7+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Lean 45%
  • Team leadership 31%
  • Root cause 24%
  • EHS / safety 24%
  • Six Sigma 23%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for Cost reduction, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 10+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Promotion path mentioned

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. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at Smiths Group

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 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. 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. 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. 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 Smiths GroupAs posted on their careers site.Show

Job Summary

As a member of the leadership team, the Director of Operations is responsible and accountable for the strategic vision of our manufacturing process. This role is pivotal in aligning all aspects of manufacturing with company and customer expectations in a rapid-growth, multi-site, ETO/MTO manufacturing environment. This newly created position leverages historic experience, creativity and problem-solving to identify and address challenges associated with significant, multi-year growth.

Responsibilities

  • ◆Lead manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives while driving team performance, accountability, and operational excellence.
  • ◆Maintain full P&L responsibility and accountability for all manufacturing operations, ensuring achievement of financial and operational objectives.
  • ◆Help with establishing and executing short- and long-term manufacturing strategies, including facility expansion, equipment investments, and workforce planning to support business growth.
  • ◆Oversee the master production schedule to ensure on-time delivery, customer satisfaction, and efficient resource utilization.
  • ◆Align production activities to optimize labor utilization, productivity, and operational efficiency within a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment.
  • ◆Serve as a change agent by implementing and sustaining best-in-class manufacturing processes, systems, and operational practices.
  • ◆Make timely, data-driven operational decisions in dynamic environments, including critical machine downtime and production disruption scenarios.
  • ◆Champion Lean Manufacturing, 6S, and continuous improvement methodologies to drive waste reduction, quality improvements, and cost savings.
  • ◆Develop organizational capability through coaching, mentoring, succession planning, and promotion of high-potential employees.
  • ◆Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Customer Service teams to achieve business objectives and improve operational performance.
  • ◆Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, engagement, safety, and continuous learning across all levels of the organization.
  • ◆Ensure all

responsibilities

are executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.

  • ◆Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned to support organizational goals.

Responsibilities

to Organization

  • ◆Demonstrate and promote DRC's core values in all business activities and interactions.
  • ◆Protect, support, and strengthen DRC's culture through positive leadership, collaboration, and professional conduct.
  • ◆Perform assigned

responsibilities

within the scope of the position and direction provided, while willingly accepting additional assignments as needed.

  • ◆Adhere to all company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
  • ◆Maintain the highest standards of confidentiality, information security, integrity, and ethical conduct regarding company information and business matters.
  • ◆Approach organizational changes and challenging situations with professionalism, adaptability, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
  • ◆Assist in maintaining a safe, clean, and organized work environment, proactively identifying and addressing hazards or reporting concerns promptly to appropriate personnel.
  • ◆Perform all duties in a manner that prioritizes personal safety and the safety of others, following established safety procedures, equipment operating guidelines, and proper ergonomic practices.
  • ◆Ensure equipment is operated in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and company safety standards.
  • ◆Immediately report workplace incidents, injuries, unsafe conditions, or near-miss events to the Safety Manager and appropriate leadership personnel and complete all required documentation in a timely manner.
  • ◆Support and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, teamwork, and operational excellence throughout the organization.

Job

Requirements

  • ✓Demonstrated excellence in leadership, interpersonal communication, coaching, and employee development.
  • ✓Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
  • ✓Self-motivated, results-oriented professional with the ability to work independently while fostering a collaborative team environment.
  • ✓Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all organizational levels.
  • ✓Ability and willingness to travel between multiple local manufacturing facilities to provide operational oversight, leadership, and support. Valid driver's license and clean driving record required.
  • ✓Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment while maintaining a focus on safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
  • ✓Experience leading teams through organizational growth, operational change, and continuous improvement initiatives is highly desirable.
  • ✓Ability to work safely within a manufacturing environment, including compliance with all required personal protective equipment (PPE) standards, such as safety glasses and steel-toe footwear.
  • ✓Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish preferred.

Education/Training/Experience

  • ✓Proven experience in a high-growth manufacturing environment, supporting sustained annual growth rates of 25%–40% or greater across multiple facilities and production shifts.
  • ✓Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Operations Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
  • ✓Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations, including strategic oversight of multi-site operations within an Engineer-to-Order (ETO) and/or Make-to-Order (MTO) manufacturing environment.
  • ✓Demonstrated success leading manufacturing org

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