Director of Manufacturing Operations

Director of Manufacturing Operations North Wales, PA Job Details Full-time $140,000 - $160,000 a year 1 day ago Qualifications Cost management Plant management Strategic management Operations management New product development Engineering Safety standards in production 11+ years Cost control Improving operational efficiency Assembly Team development Analysis skills Bachelor's degree in engineering Bachelor's degree Team management Electrical discharge machining Production planning Performance Improvement (PI) Prototype creation Quality standards in production Milling machines OEM Senior level Leadership Manufacturing company experience Prototypes Communication skills Senior leadership Full Job Description Description Gwynedd Manufacturing, a growing defense contractor located in North Wales, PA, is a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility dedicated to producing quality products for the U.S. Department of Defense and various U.S. Federal Law Enforcement Agencies. As an innovative company offering a wide array of products, we strive to continuously develop new technology and drive process improvement. Position Summary We are seeking an experienced Director of Manufacturing to lead and advance production operations within a high-precision OEM environment. This individual will provide strong, decisive leadership across machining, milling, lathe, and EDM functions while ensuring operational integrity, quality, and efficiency at all levels. The ideal candidate will bring a deep technical understanding of manufacturing processes along with proven success managing large, complex teams in a high-tolerance, high-precision environment. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring direct engagement with both people and processes to drive performance, compliance, and product excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

Provide strategic and operational leadership across all manufacturing disciplines, including machining, milling, lathe, and EDM operations Oversee and develop a team of 100+ employees, including department managers and skilled trades personnel Ensure precision, consistency, and compliance across all production activities Partner closely with Engineering, Quality, R D, and Sales to align operational execution with product and business objectives Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, cost control, and product quality Lead efforts to maintain manufacturing excellence, ensure adherence to tight tolerances, and support prototype and new product development Establish clear performance metrics, accountability standards, and process documentation Maintain a safe, compliant, and disciplined manufacturing environment

Qualifications:

Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in precision manufacturing, including at least 7 years in a senior leadership role Extensive hands-on experience with machining, milling, lathe, and EDM processes Demonstrated success leading large-scale manufacturing operations (100+ employees) Proven background in high-precision, high-end assembly and OEM manufacturing environments Strong understanding of production planning, workflow optimization, and quality systems Ability to effectively partner with R D and Engineering on prototyping and manufacturability Exceptional leadership, analytical, and communication skills Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related technical discipline strongly preferred

Physical and Work Environment Requirements:

This position is based in a manufacturing environment and may require the following over extended periods of time up to a full 8-hour work shift (excluding lunch and breaks): stand, walk, sit, squat or bend, kneel and rise, lift, carry, push, or pull materials and equipment weighing up to — and occasionally exceeding — 50 pounds, view a computer or other digital screen, work on a computer, workstation or comparable system, and make accurate entries in such systems. Manual dexterity and fine motor skills are required for detailed assembly and precision work. Work may take place in areas with varying temperatures or no climate control, varying noise levels, and production equipment in motion. Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn in designated areas at all times as required by company policy. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities but are always subject to safety concerns for the employee and all team members. Employer may require a physical assessment of the candidate's ability to perform these tasks as a condition of an offer letter. Any assessment will be performed by a third party vendor and will be reported on a pass/fail basis with no other medical information conveyed to employer.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Gwynedd Manufacturing is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Note:

This job description reflects general duties and responsibilities and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Management may modify or assign other responsibilities as needed