Hiring: Operations Director Company: Xylem Location: Holland, MI Job Posted Time: 2026-09-10 13:14:39 Target Skills & Keywords : Product Management, SAP, Six Sigma About the job Experience: •A successful candidate brings at least 10 years of progressive manufacturing operations leadership experience, ideally within a high‑mix, low‑volume CTO/ETO environment. A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field is required; an advanced degree is preferred. •10 years of progressive manufacturing operations leadership experience, ideally within a high‑mix, low‑volume CTO/ETO environment. A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field is required; an advanced degree is preferred. •At least 10 years of progressive manufacturing operations leadership experience, ideally within a high‑mix, low‑volume CTO/ETO environment. A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field is required; an advanced degree is preferred. Required Skills: •The Operations Director has full responsibility for site operations, including manufacturing, quality, materials, and logistics. The role leads daily execution while shaping the long‑term operational strategy, ensuring alignment with Xylem’s Lean Production System and enterprise objectives. •This leader establishes and sustains a culture of structured problem solving, ensuring teams use tools such as A3 Thinking, PDCA, Kaizen, 8D, and DMAIC to address root causes and prevent recurrence. Operational KPIs—including safety, quality, on‑time delivery, productivity, cost, and lead time—are actively owned, reviewed, and improved. •People Leadership & Culture •Developing people and culture is central to success. The Operations Director leads, coaches, and mentors the site leadership team, building a strong pipeline of problem solvers and future leaders. Clear expectations, accountability, and engagement are reinforced at every level. •Safety leadership is non‑negotiable. The Operations Director sets the standard for a zero‑harm culture through visible leadership, disciplined processes, and employee involvement. •The Operations Director owns site financial performance, including operating budgets, cost control, and capital investment planning. This leader identifies and executes opportunities to improve cost efficiency while maintaining a strong customer experience and product quality. •Operational and financial targets are achieved through a combination of disciplined execution, process improvement, and strategic investment aligned with business priorities. Qualifications: •This role requires demonstrated success leading Lean transformations at the site level, with deep working knowledge of Lean production systems, structured problem solving, and continuous improvement methodologies. Strong experience in supply chain integration, production planning, and quality systems is essential. •The ideal candidate brings strong financial acumen, including experience managing operational budgets, cost reduction initiatives, and capital investments. Exceptional leadership, communication, and influencing skills are required, along with the ability to engage teams at every level of the organization. Compensation: •$175,000 - $215,000 / year •Flexible work environment (work from home / hybrid options) Interested candidates, please apply directly through the job posting on company's career page or try via AI auto apply on this platform. Don't miss this opportunity to join a forward-thinking team!