Director of Production

Mission

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Production Leadership

• Develop and execute integrated operational strategies across production, inventory management, and manufacturing planning.
• Set departmental KPIs and performance benchmarks aligned with organizational goals.
• Lead capacity planning, demand forecasting, and resource optimization to support current and future growth.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee end-to-end production operations, including scheduling, workflow execution, and reporting.
• Direct inventory control processes to ensure accuracy, traceability, and alignment with supply chain needs.
• Manage manufacturing planning activities to optimize material availability, minimize lead times, and balance workloads.

People Leadership & Team Development

• Build and lead a high-performing production team, including leaders in production, planning, and inventory.
• Foster a values-based culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Guide succession planning, cross-training, and staff development programs to enhance flexibility and engagement.

Product and Process Innovation

• Collaborate with Engineering, R&D, and Design on manufacturability and process improvements.
• Lead adoption of new technologies, equipment, and lean practices to increase efficiency and scalability.
• Promote Six Sigma and continuous improvement frameworks across operational disciplines.

Quality, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all production meets or exceed ISO, safety, and regulatory compliance standards.
• Lead investigations and corrective/preventive actions for operational issues.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation supporting compliance and traceability.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as a key liaison between production and other departments including Sales, Procurement, and Quality.
• Participate in strategic planning and customer engagement to align production and delivery expectations.
• Translate executive objectives into actionable operational plans and metrics.

Change Management

• Lead organizational change initiatives that improve operational efficiency, systems, and culture.
• Communicate change objectives clearly and gain alignment across teams.
• Manage risk and minimize disruption during transitions in processes, technologies, or structures.
• Foster a culture that embraces innovation, flexibility, and continuous learning.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Production Management, or a related field.
• 7–10+ years of operational leadership experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven expertise in managing production, inventory systems, and manufacturing planning.
• Strong knowledge of ERP/MRP platforms, forecasting tools, and planning software.
• Working knowledge of ISO 9001, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in electronics, high-tech manufacturing, or acoustic product sectors.
• Familiarity with transducer technology and underwater acoustics.
• Proficiency in analytics and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, Python, MATLAB).
• Formal training in Lean, Six Sigma, or PMP certification.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Thinking – Aligns long-term vision with operational execution.
• Operational Discipline – Drives precision, structure, and consistency.
• Leadership & Coaching – Inspires, mentors, and elevates teams.
• Customer-Centric Mindset – Prioritizes customer value in all decisions.
• Collaborative Communication –Bridges departments with clarity and purpose.
• Change Management – Guides teams through transition with clarity, empathy, and effectiveness.

Ocean Sonics Values (Lived Daily)

• We Care
• We’re Honest
• We Do the Right Thing
• We’re Curious
• We’re Innovative
• We’re Passionate