Director Operations (m/f/d)

The Director of Operations is responsible for leading and optimizing global operational functions, with full accountability for Global Operations including North America. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on operational responsibility at Director level and oversees value stream management, industrial engineering, procurement, materials management, logistics, and production.

This role ensures operational excellence by aligning processes with corporate objectives and the ability to manage a highly specialized, partner-based global supply chain, particularly across Asia.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership & Business Planning:
  • Lead and develop global operations with direct responsibility for North America and international regions.
  • Define and implement end-to-end operational strategies aligned with the company's vision, mission, and long-term objectives.
  • Develop and manage operations budgets globally, ensuring cost control, scalability, and financial sustainability.

• Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement:
  • Drive operational excellence across global value streams, focusing on efficiency, quality, and cost optimization.
  • Implement Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives across all operational functions.
  • Define, track, and manage KPIs to support data-driven decision-making and performance transparency.
  • Lead digitalization and innovation initiatives within manufacturing, supply chain, and operations.

• Procurement & Supply Chain Management:
  • Own and continuously optimize a highly specialized global supply chain, characterized by partners who design and develop products but do not manufacture themselves.
  • Lead strategic supply chain optimization, with strong focus on flexibility, resilience, and scalability.
  • Manage global procurement and supplier relationships, ensuring performance, cost efficiency, and long-term partnerships.
  • Foster a highly collaborative, partnership-driven supplier model, embedded within the company's value streams.
  • Oversee and develop the Asia-based supply chain, ensuring alignment with global operational standards and business needs.

• Production & Quality Management
  • Direct production sites and site managers to achieve quality, cost, delivery, and safety targets.
  • Ensure compliance with industry regulations, local safety standards, and relevant environmental requirements.
  • Lead continuous improvement of the Quality Management System (QMS) to maintain high manufacturing standards.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Organizational Development:
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, global suppliers, and external partners.
  • Act as a global operations leader with strong cross-cultural competence and international business mindset.
  • Develop, mentor, and retain high-performing operational talent across regions.
  • Lead and support change management initiatives to enable growth, transformation, and organizational maturity.