Director of Operations (extremely competitive pay!)

About Leon Speakers: At Leon, we mix art with audio and design with technology. We’re a group of artists, designers, engineers, and craftsmen who are dedicated to producing the finest quality, benchmade American audio products. For over 20 years, we’ve been meticulously handcrafting a full palette of customizable speakers and technology concealment solutions, all designed and manufactured in the US. Our products can be found in high-end residential homes and top companies around the world, including: Apple, Spotify, Under Armour, and Slack. Leon appeared on the Inc. 5000 List of Fastest Growing American Companies for 5 consecutive years and has been voted among the “50 Companies to Watch” in Michigan. We empower our people to pursue their creative outlets both inside and outside the office, cultivating a team of inspired thinkers.

We're not your average speaker company. Watch this tour of our headquarters (www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrT2hrLKALo&feature=youtu.be) to get a behind the scenes look at our company and culture, and follow us on social media @leonspeakers or check out our blog (blog.leonspeakers.com) to see what we've been up to lately. Oh, and did we mention that we have an on-site music performance venue called the Leon Loft (www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe2EqN3g5EaOGjwpSWNK0tUHS11D_ADTW) where we've hosted artists like Spoon, Iron & Wine, Johnnyswim, and LP (just to name a few)? Just another perk of the job.

Position Description: Leon Speakers is seeking a Director of Operations to join our Executive team and lead Manufacturing operations at our facility in Ann Arbor, MI. We’re searching for a creative innovator who is obsessed with artistry and design and is energized by delivering world class product to world class clients. This person has a strong sense of ownership and is a master communicator. Along with the other members of our C Suite team, you will create and set the vision for our growing organization. We are looking for a passionate individual who practices servant leadership and drives high performance work standards. The ideal candidate loves systems - the hum of a well oiled machine; loves design - the elegance of simplicity; and, fluently emulates our core values by demonstrating a commitment to: Creativity, Optimism, Responsiveness, Dedication, Initiative, Authenticity and Legacy. They’re willing to roll up their sleeves when necessary and work alongside the team to solve problems and drive improvement initiatives. This person is also skilled in supply chain, logistics, and delivering seamless execution while still motivating, actively communicating with, and inspiring their team to achieve performance beyond measure.

Our next Director of Operations will be quality-obsessed and have an exceptionally strong sense of accountability as they oversee all areas of Manufacturing to produce products and direct activities on schedule and within quality standards and cost objectives. We seek candidates with a deep understanding of Lean Operations who can implement the core pillars of Lean, reducing waste, integrating quality, leading continuous improvement and improving production flow. The Director of Operations manages the direct labor and materials budget, providing opportunities for bottom line growth, creating capacity as required by the sales forecast and delivering on customer requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead manufacturing operations by developing manufacturing plans that align with sales, ensuring compliance with Leon policies, practices, and standards and lead critical functions across the organization to achieve successful outcomes (production, production control, methods, cost accounting, maintenance, and related operations.)
• Establish procedures for maintaining high standards of manufacturing excellence and production standards, and introduce improvement initiatives to increase productivity, reduce waste, and ensure that products conform to established customer, supplier, and company quality standards.
• Achieve exceptional levels of customer satisfaction and delivery reliability with highly variable demand patterns and product variation.
• Partner with other innovative and visionary leaders across the organization to elevate performance to the next level.
• Formulate and recommend manufacturing policies and programs that guide the organization in maintaining and improving its competitive position and the profitability of operations.
• Achieve a safety culture which involves high levels of employee engagement, addresses risk, and strives toward an accident-free environment.
• Develop key performance indicators and management reports around productivity, quality, and delivery.
• Initiate and coordinate major projects, including plant layout changes, deployment of capital expenditures, and new equipment procurement.
• Oversee our Quality process and systems.
• Maintain ISO Certification and promote the benefits of the management system throughout the organization.
• Achieve exceptional levels of employee engagement as a coach and mentor through regular and open communication, achieving two-way feedback at all levels, and creating an environment where issues can be escalated and positively received at all levels of leadership.
• Optimize and evolve our internal custom manufacturing software to align with growth goals and objectives.
• Perform miscellaneous duties and projects as assigned and required.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering or similar field, Master’s degree with a focus on high performance work systems in manufacturing environments preferred
• At least 7 years manufacturing leadership experience
• A minimum of 5 years of direct people management experience
• Prior experience partnering and contributing with members of executive teams preferred
• Preference to candidates with at least one year of experience working with CNC machines, woodworking equipment, or electronics manufacturing.
• Creative: has an appreciation for design, music and art.
• Preference given to candidates with Lean Six Sigma Certification or equivalent training.
• Familiarity with ISO or other Quality Management systems: at least two years’ experience working for an ISO certified organization.
• Exceptional verbal and written communicator, with a strong ability to modify style to accommodate different audiences, and a strong ability to convey content and details concisely
• Organized, detail oriented, with strong time management skills and the ability to prioritize workflow while thriving in a busy and dynamic work environment.

Leon’s benefit package for qualified employees includes:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Disability and Life Insurance
• Retirement Savings Plan - IRA with company match
• Paid time off and paid Federal holidays
• Profit sharing

Essential Functions of the Job: In the course of performing this work, an employee must be able to:

• Operate software and other office equipment.
• Wear PPE, walk and be physically present on the shop floor.
• Spend substantial time standing, speaking and listening, with periods of sitting and walking.
• Spend substantial time sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Lift up to 30 lbs periodically.
• Read, write, and type.
• Occasionally balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch.

Leon is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Supplemental Pay:

• Bonus pay

COVID-19 considerations:
We all take safety very seriously at Leon and have implemented precautions such as mask wearing, frequent cleaning, and social distancing.

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• manufacturing leadership: 7 years (Required)
• direct people management: 5 years (Required)
• partnering and contributing with members of executive teams: 1 year (Preferred)
• CNC machines, woodworking equipment, or elec. manufacturing: 1 year (Preferred)
• Lean Six Sigma Certification or equivalent training: 1 year (Preferred)
• understanding of LEAN concepts: 1 year (Preferred)
• working for an ISO certified organization: 2 years (Required)

Work Location: One location