Senior Director - Factory Operations

Cullerton Group

Chicago (Rogers Park), IL

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JOB DETAILS

SALARY

SKILLS

Acquisition Strategy, Alternative Energy, Analysis Skills, Benchmarking, Budget Management, Budgeting, Building Commissioning, Business Growth, Business Support, Capacity Management, Capital Budgeting, Capital Equipment, Capital Expenditure (CAPEX), Capital Project, Communication Skills, Continuous Improvement, Cost Control, Cross-Functional, Electricity, Employee Relations, Environmental Compliance, Environmental Regulations, Equipment Selection, Expense Management, Facilities Management, Facilities Planning, Facilities and Maintenance, Federal Laws and Regulations, Financial Analysis, Government Relations, Human Resources, Industrial Management, Industrial Relations, Investment Capital, Leadership, Lean Six Sigma, Legal, Maintain Compliance, Management Strategy, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Management, Mentoring, Office Equipment, Onboarding, Operating Systems, Operational Improvement, Operational Measurement, Operational Support, Operations Management, Organizational Development/Management, Performance Analysis, Performance Management, Performance Metrics, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Preventative Maintenance, Process Improvement, Production Planning, Project Execution, Project Management Professional (PMP), Quality Assurance, Regulations, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, Safety Standards, Safety Training, Safety/Work Safety, Six Sigma Black Belt, Six Sigma Certification, Startup, State Laws and Regulations, Supply Chain Management, Systems Scalability, Team Lead/Manager, Warehousing, Willing to Travel, Workforce Planning, Zoning

LOCATION

Chicago (Rogers Park), IL

POSTED

30+ days ago

Cullerton Group has a new opportunity for a Senior Director - Factory Operations in Chicago, IL (Rogers Park). The work will be done onsite. This is a permanent job. Compensation is up to $272K/yr base salary. Additionally, this position includes and annual bonus and employee stock option plan contiribution.

Senior Director - Factory Operations
Chicago, IL, United States (On-site)

Job Description
This role offers the opportunity to contribute to initiatives that strengthen and modernize the electrical grid, supporting dependable and sustainable power delivery around the world. You will join a well-established, employee-owned organization with a long legacy of technical advancement and industry leadership. The company combines the scale and credibility of a global manufacturer with the agility that allows leaders to make a visible, meaningful impact. Team members are empowered to contribute both professionally and within their communities.

Position Schedule
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.
On-site in Chicago, IL

Position Overview

The Senior Director - Factory Operations will spearhead the planning, activation, and long-term leadership of a newly developed manufacturing facility exceeding 200,000 square feet. This executive leader will hold full accountability for site readiness, operational performance, workforce engagement, and sustained results across safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.

This position requires a strategic operator who is equally comfortable setting long-term direction and working hands-on to build infrastructure, systems, and teams from the ground up. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience launching greenfield facilities and uniting cross-functional stakeholders around a shared operational vision.

Key Responsibilities

Factory Development and Launch

Direct comprehensive planning, build coordination, and commissioning activities for a large-scale manufacturing site.
Lead facility layout planning, production line design, capital equipment selection, installation, and performance validation to ensure efficient workflow and throughput.
Execute structured startup plans covering hiring, onboarding, training, safety implementation, and operational readiness benchmarks.
Design and implement scalable operating systems, performance metrics, and reporting structures that enable long-term operational excellence.

Operational Leadership

Oversee daily performance across manufacturing, engineering, quality assurance, materials management, warehousing, and maintenance functions.
Champion continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen productivity, reduce waste, enhance quality, and elevate safety standards.
Align site objectives with enterprise-wide goals while maintaining clear, proactive communication with executive leadership.
Build and mentor a high-performing leadership team capable of supporting growth and operational complexity.

Facilities and Regulatory Management

Maintain responsibility for site infrastructure, utilities, preventive maintenance programs, and facility services.
Ensure full compliance with zoning requirements, environmental regulations, permits, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Collaborate with legal, environmental, and government relations partners to minimize operational risk and maintain regulatory integrity.

Workforce Strategy and Culture

Partner with Human Resources to develop workforce plans, talent acquisition strategies, and leadership development programs for a large manufacturing population.
Support employee relations, engagement initiatives, performance management processes, and organizational development efforts.
Promote a culture centered on safety, accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.
Serve as an accessible and motivating leader who connects with team members at every level of the organization.

Financial and Capital Oversight

Prepare and manage annual operating plans, capital investment budgets, and cost management strategies.
Track financial results, analyze performance gaps, and implement corrective measures to achieve productivity and cost targets.
Lead long-range capacity planning, expansion initiatives, and capital project execution to support business growth.

Compliance and Governance

Adhere to all company policies, standards, and governance requirements.

Qualifications

Required

Bachelors degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Management, or a related discipline.
1015+ years of progressive leadership within manufacturing environments, including responsibility for launching and managing large-scale facilities (200,000+ square feet).
Demonstrated success delivering greenfield site development and full lifecycle operational leadership.
Strong knowledge of manufacturing engineering, production planning, quality systems, supply chain and materials management, warehouse operations, facilities oversight, environmental compliance, and labor relations.
Proven ability to lead large, cross-functional teams and develop strong succession pipelines.
Excellent executive-level communication skills.
Strong analytical capabilities with a history of driving measurable operational improvements.
Experience managing significant capital expenditures and multimillion-dollar operating budgets.

Preferred

Masters degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Industrial Management, or related field.
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Physical and Work Requirements

Frequently required to remain stationary and perform computer-based work.
Regular movement throughout the facility campus.
Occasional use of hands and arms for office equipment operation.
Occasional stair climbing.
Ability to observe detailed information at close range.
Continuous verbal and written communication in person and via phone or virtual meetings.
Periodic domestic and international travel, including overnight stays and extended work hours as needed.

About the Company

Cullerton Group

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