Director, Operations

Do you believe great operations leaders lead from the floor, not from behind a desk? Can you inspire teams, drive accountability, and turn continuous improvement initiatives into measurable results? Are you ready to lead a manufacturing operation where people, performance, and operational excellence matter equally?

If you answered yes...we should talk!

Ceco Door, an ASSA ABLOY branded company is seeking an experienced Director of Operations to join our leadership team in Milan, Tennessee.

This opportunity became available through an internal promotion … a testament to our commitment to developing talent and creating career growth opportunities within our organization. This is an opportunity to build upon a strong foundation, develop future leaders, and play a key role in shaping the future growth, performance, and employee experience of the site.

We are growing and there has never been a more exciting time to join us!

Come see who we are at: https://www.assaabloy.com/group/en/about-us

What would you do as our Director of Operations?

You will provide strategic and day-to-day leadership for manufacturing operations, ensuring teams are aligned, engaged, and equipped to achieve world-class performance. You will drive operational excellence through Lean principles, continuous improvement, employee development, and a relentless focus on safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.

You will also:

• Lead and develop a team of managers and supervisors across manufacturing operations.
• Build a culture of accountability, engagement, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and deploy meaningful operational metrics that align teams around business objectives and performance outcomes.
• Drive improvements in quality, productivity, on-time delivery, and operational efficiency.
• Implement and sustain Lean Manufacturing, Toyota Production System, and Total Productive Maintenance principles.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives through Gemba walks, Kaizen events, 5S activities, and employee involvement.
• Develop both strategic and tactical plans to address changing business demands and customer expectations.
• Oversee operational budgets and drive performance improvements through cost management and waste reduction initiatives.
• Establish effective communication processes that ensure alignment and accountability throughout the organization.
• Mentor and coach leaders on employee engagement, leadership effectiveness, and team development.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with other ASSA ABLOY Door Group locations to share best practices and drive operational consistency across the organization.
• Support organizational growth through thoughtful workforce planning, operational improvements, and leadership development.

The Skills and Experience you need

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Operations, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing or operations leadership experience with a proven history of delivering results through teams.
• Experience leading managers and supervisors in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success driving operational improvements through Lean Manufacturing methodologies.
• Strong understanding of continuous improvement, employee engagement, and performance management.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
• Experience managing budgets, controlling costs, and improving operational performance.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel and Word.
• Ability to effectively prioritize multiple initiatives in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or a related field.
• Experience with Toyota Production System (TPS), Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), or similar operational excellence methodologies.
• Previous Profit & Loss (P&L) responsibility.
• Demonstrated success improving employee engagement, retention, and workplace culture.
• Experience within a multi-site manufacturing organization.

What we offer: 
We believe in creating opportunities and providing benefits that empower you to grow, thrive, and build a rewarding lifelong career with us. Here is just a sample of what you can look forward to as a member of our team: 

• Competitive Salary 
• Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and Paid Company Holidays  
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and AD&D Insurance 
• 401(k) Program with company contributions 
• On-site Health Clinic
• Tuition Reimbursement, Learning and Career Development opportunities  
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Discount portal 
• Recognition, well-being, and employee experience programs designed to support and celebrate you throughout your career 
• Tuition Reimbursement Opportunities
• A collaborative, values-driven culture where your contributions matter

We review applications regularly, so don’t wait!

We are building diverse, inclusive teams, and encourage applications from everyone who can see themselves working with us.

To make sure your personal data is safe, we don’t look at any applications sent by email or post.

If you have any questions about the role or the process, email Stephanie Mandato, Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at stephanie.mandato@assaabloy.com

Let’s create a safer and more open world - together!

AADG, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veteran

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We are the ASSA ABLOY Group
Our people have made us the global leader in access solutions. In return, we open doors for them wherever they go. With nearly 63,000 colleagues in more than 70 different countries, we help billions of people experience a more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces – physical and virtual – safer, more secure, and easier to access. 

As an employer, we value results – not titles, or backgrounds. We empower our people to build their career around their aspirations and our ambitions – supporting them with regular feedback, training, and development opportunities. Our colleagues think broadly about where they can make the most impact, and we encourage them to grow their role locally, regionally, or even internationally.

As we welcome new people on board, it’s important to us to have diverse, inclusive teams, and we value different perspectives and experiences.