Company Overview Panel Specialists Inc. is a leading manufacturer of decorative wood laminated products, utilizing high-pressure decorative laminates in its production processes. Based in Temple, TX, the company has been serving the industry since 1990 and employs approximately 150 dedicated professionals in the Central Texas area. Overview We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Director of Operations to lead and optimize our business operations. This pivotal role involves driving operational excellence, managing large-scale organizational change, and fostering continuous process improvements. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, excel in strategic planning, and have a proven track record in managing complex business functions to support growth and profitability. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Development Lead, coach, and develop production managers, supervisors, and operational staff. Establish a positive culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement. Develop succession plans and high-performing teams throughout the organization. Communicate company objectives and operational priorities effectively throughout all levels of the organization. Manufacturing Operations Direct daily manufacturing operations to achieve production, quality, and delivery objectives. Develop and administer Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to improve safety, throughput, labor efficiency, equipment utilization, and capacity planning. Monitor operational performance and implement corrective actions as needed. Ensure adequate staffing and resource allocation across departments. Continuous Improvement Drive continuous improvement using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and/or other process improvement initiatives. Identify and eliminate waste, bottlenecks, rework, downtime, and inefficiencies. Drive process standardization and operational excellence initiatives. Utilize data and KPIs to support decision-making and performance improvement. Safety & Quality Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations. Maintain and improve quality systems and standards. Lead investigations related to safety incidents, customer complaints, and quality issues. Ensure corrective and preventive actions are effectively implemented. Financial Performance Manage operational budgets and cost improvement programs. Partner with Finance to drive productivity improvements and margin enhancement. Develop capital expenditure plans and support investment decisions with ROI analysis, if required. Monitor labor, materials, overhead, and inventory performance. Supply Chain & Customer Service Collaborate with Purchasing, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Sales teams. Support inventory management and material availability initiatives. Ensure customer delivery expectations are consistently achieved. Improve communication across departments to support overall company performance. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) The Director of Operations will be accountable for: Safety Incident Rate On-Time Delivery First Pass Yield Labor Efficiency Throughput Inventory Turns Scrap & Rework Cost Capacity Utilization Customer Complaint resolution EBITDA Contribution Qualifications Education Bachelor's degree in manufacturing engineering, Operations Management, Business Management, or related field preferred. Equivalent experience will be considered. Experience Extensive manufacturing operations and leadership experience, preferably within the woodworking, furniture, or architectural products industries. Experience with engineer-to-order manufacturing environments. Demonstrated success leading, developing, and motivating manufacturing teams. Demonstrated success improving operational performance, employee engagement, and profitability. Experience implementing and managing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies. Skills Strong leadership and team-building abilities. Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills. Financial acumen with budgeting and cost-management experience. Knowledge of production planning, quality systems, supply chain, and inventory management. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Must be able to communicate clearly, concisely, frequently, and effectively with all levels of the organization. Ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization. Ability to quickly utilize root cause analysis to identify problems and create solutions Compensation & Benefits Competitive base salary Annual performance bonus Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance 401(k) with

Company Match Paid Time Off Professional Development Opportunities Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person