Director of Operations

Business Unit: Medeco Security Locks

Location: Salem, VA (on-site)

Department: Operations

EEO Job Status: Full-time Salaried Exempt

Reports To: General Manager, Medeco

Pay Range: $155,000 - $180,000 (20%-30% bonus potential)

Overview:

Lead the transformation of one of the security industry's most respected brands. Medeco designs and manufactures high-security mechanical and electronic locking solutions that protect critical assets through products known for quality, precision, and innovation.

Position Summary: 

Medeco is seeking a transformational operations leader to drive performance today while building the manufacturing organization of tomorrow.

As a member of the Leadership Team, the Director of Operations & Operational Excellence is responsible for the strategy, performance, and continuous improvement of Medeco's operations. This role combines operational accountability with a mandate to accelerate growth through automation, operational excellence, technology adoption, and talent development.

Key Responsibilities:

  Strategic and Operational Leadership 

• Develop and execute an operations strategy that supports business growth, profitability, execution consistency, and customer commitments. 

• Lead manufacturing operations to achieve safety, quality, delivery, responsiveness, productivity, inventory, and financial objectives. 

• Drive transformation through automation, process innovation, and continuous improvement to strengthen customer experience and competitiveness. 

• Partner with the Leadership Team to establish priorities, allocate resources, and build organizational capability. 

  Continuous Improvement & Transformation 

• Champion Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and data-driven decision making. 

• Establish KPI-driven management systems and accountability. 

• Ensure consistent delivery of customer commitments for quality, responsiveness, and on-time performance. 

• Leverage best practices, technology, and analytics to strengthen competitiveness. 

  Leadership, Culture & Compliance

• Build, develop, and retain a high-performing operations organization. 

• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, engagement, safety, and quality. 

• Develop future leaders through succession planning and talent development. 

• Ensure compliance with applicable standards, regulations, and company policies. 

Qualifications:

  Required 

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business, or related field. 

• 15+ years of progressive manufacturing experience with significant operational leadership responsibility. 

• Proven success leading complex manufacturing operations and delivering measurable business results. 

• Strong experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and operational transformation. 

• Strong financial acumen, communication skills, and leadership capability. 

  Preferred 

• MBA or advanced business or technical degree. 

• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification. 

• Experience in precision manufacturing, security products, engineered products, aerospace, defense, or electromechanical industries. 

• Experience implementing automation, advanced manufacturing technologies, and Industry 4.0 initiatives. 

Medeco is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunity (“EEO”) to all qualified persons.

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.