Description:

Director of Operations

Manufacturing | Oilfield Services & Precision Machining | Full-Time, On-Site

The Opportunity

Most operations leaders spend years waiting for a seat at the table. This one comes with it.

Walker Elliott has partnered with our client to locate a Director of Operations to report directly to the President.   The position owns the entire manufacturing operation with the authority to set the plan and the resources to execute it. You will not be one voice among ten in a corporate matrix. You will be the operations voice, and the decisions you make about capacity, capital, and people will show up directly in the company's results.

This is a role for someone who has outgrown running a department and is ready to run a business. If you know what it takes to hold tolerance, hit a delivery date, and send everyone home safe — all in the same shift — read on.

What You'll Own

Strategy and Planning

• Partner with the leadership team to shape short- and long-term operational strategy, then translate it into a plan the floor can actually execute.
• Build and manage the annual operating plan — capacity, staffing, and capital investment — tied to real business objectives rather than last year's spreadsheet.
• Develop and manage operational and capital budgets, and hold the organization to them.

Production Performance

• Direct scheduling and workflow across the machine shop, torque and test operations, and maintenance to get the most out of every hour of labor and every piece of equipment — without missing a delivery commitment.
• Lead cross-functional coordination between production, quality, and maintenance so problems get solved once, at the source.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that make output more efficient, more consistent, and higher quality.
• Establish and maintain Standard Operating Procedures that make good execution repeatable and compliant.
• Own an equipment maintenance program that keeps uptime high and surprises rare.

People and Culture

• Recruit, develop, and lead employees at every level of the operation, building a culture of accountability, safety, and teamwork.
• Coach managers and supervisors into stronger leaders — this is one of the most visible ways you'll multiply your impact.
• Set and uphold a safety-first standard that meets both company expectations and regulatory requirements, and that people follow because they believe in it.

Quality and Compliance

• Work alongside Quality and HSE to manage nonconformances, corrective actions, and audit readiness — so audits are a formality, not a fire drill.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field — or the equivalent earned in the field.
• 5+ years of progressive manufacturing operations experience, including at least 5 years leading supervisors and teams.
• Background in oilfield services, machining, threading, tubulars, or comparable specialized manufacturing.
• A track record of leading operations where safety and quality are non-negotiable.
• Demonstrated ability to set production targets, timelines, and budgets — and consistently hit them.
• Strong strategic planning skills paired with the willingness to walk the floor and see for yourself.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and team-building instincts.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and hands-on ERP experience (Acumatica strongly preferred).
• High integrity and the kind of professional credibility that earns trust quickly, at every level of the organization.

What's In It For You

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience, with a formal performance review and merit increase program.
• Incentive compensation program.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Company-paid life insurance plus short- and long-term disability.
• Supplemental coverage options
• Paid time off, paid holidays, and paid parental leave.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Student loan contribution and continuing education support.
• Relocation assistance for the right candidate.

Why This Role Is Different

Specialized manufacturers like this one are where operations leaders build the most durable careers: the work is technical enough to be interesting, the customer base is demanding enough to keep standards high, and the organization is lean enough that your fingerprints are on everything. You will see the results of your decisions in weeks, not quarters.

Do not apply unless you are authorized to work in the United States for any employer as client company cannot sponsor or transfer visas at this time.