Senior Director of Operations

Circle Y Brands

Job Description: Senior Director of Operations 

Opportunities:

• Have you managed production and operations?
• Do you understand the technical aspect of engineering?
• Are you able to drive the success of others while managing production? 
• Does working for a family-centric organization based in a small-town environment appeal to you?
• Do the values of stewardship, versatility, and family resonate strongly with you?
• Do you find the improvement of people’s lives through stewardship of God-given resources inspiring?

Then, Circle-Y is for you!

Who are we?

Circle Y Brands is the largest producer of handcrafted Western saddles and horse tack in the world, through our saddle brands, Circle Y and Tucker. In addition to our saddle brands, we produce high-quality horse bits and saddle pads through our Reinsman brand. We also import and distribute additional products ranging from sport boots to horse seasonal wear (fly, winter), as well as import bits, pads, and tack. 

Primary Function: 

The Senior Director of Operations is responsible for administering, managing and directing the planning, production and engineering departments. The position establishes and manages systems, goals, objectives, operating procedures/processes, automation, product development and management systems in support of corporate business strategies and plans. The position has direct accountability and responsibility for achieving product manufacturing/production profitability based upon meeting or exceeding cost standards and estimates. 

Position Responsibilities (including but not limited to):

• Drive the production strategy to meet or exceed both customer and company requirements and standards 
• Responsible for directing and coordinating all activities and operations for the production facilities, including establishing systems and processes to ensure optimal “single piece flow” with available personnel and equipment resources
• Build a high-performance culture that promotes engagement, participation, teamwork, and accountability 
• Drive implementation of formal quality control systems
• Manage processes to meet or exceed quality performance and on-time delivery objectives
• Lead and optimize the team managing all aspects related to order fulfillment including personnel planning and scheduling, productivity, continuous improvement, quality, business processes and cost controls
• Ensure all operations effectively and efficiently plan and produce products which meet customer expectations for shipping on-schedule, within quality standards and cost objectives
• Assist in establishing and overseeing methods and processes that assure timely, cost effective, and comprehensive transitions from the product design and development processes to production
• Direct and monitor department managers/leads to accomplish goals of the production plan, consistent with established production and safety procedures 
• Assure production and continuous improvement principles are used within the facility to drive improvements
• Analyze, assess, plan and manage operational human resources and manage the performance and development of direct reports  
• Responsible for departmental organizational structure planning and staffing  
• Hire, train, develop and evaluate staff. Develop staff to manage in accordance with company culture, values and expectations, and work to build effective hiring and training practices within the operations. Take corrective action as necessary on a timely basis and in accordance with company policy. Consult with Human Resources as appropriate
• Act as liaison between department managers/subordinate levels as well as executive/department manager levels to inform personnel of communications, decisions, policies and all matters that affect their performance, attitudes and results
• Ensure compliance with current federal, state and local regulations as well as quality certifications
• Analyze, assess and manage facility capital resources. Direct department activity to ensure effective preventative maintenance program exist to minimize downtime and production costs
• Assist with identifying, budgeting and implementing new technology in production and warehousing operations 
• Travel up to 10% required
• All other duties assigned by management

Skills:

• Financial management, Lean manufacturing, project management, technical capacity, performance management, business acumen, communication proficiency, ethical conduct, leadership, problem solving/analysis and strategic thinking required.

Qualifications:

• BA/BS in engineering required, MBA preferred
• 7 years’ experience in production, operations management
• Experience in managing engineering and/or product development department 
• Proven, successful experience and management utilizing ERP/MRP planning & scheduling systems
• Experience working with production-based technology, processes and principles
• Experience, training or certifications in Lean enterprise manufacturing and 5S/6S
• Must possess a 5-year driving record with clear history for the past three years

Physical Requirements: 

• Standing, walking and sitting required up to 10 hours per day (67-100%)
• Hand and foot usage required up to 10 hours per day (67-100%)
• Climbing, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling and twisting required occasionally (0-33%)
• Frequent lifting and moving up to 25 pounds (0-33%) 

Work Environment: 

• Indoors (95% ) and Outdoors
• Loud Environments
• Extreme heat or cold (weather-related). Uncommon as building has air conditioning.
• Wet or humid conditions (weather-related)
• Fumes from equipment; leather conditioner oil