Director of Manufacturing Job Description
This director of manufacturing job description serves as a guide post for employers and employees when pursuing the hire or position. These are highly sought after roles that require a lot of experience and skill.
Introduction
A Director of Manufacturing is a senior-level position responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of a company’s manufacturing operations. This includes developing and implementing manufacturing strategies, managing relationships with suppliers and vendors, and negotiating contracts and agreements. The Director of Manufacturing is responsible for ensuring that all manufacturing processes are efficient and cost-effective, while also meeting the needs of customers and other stakeholders. You’ll likely need a specialized manufacturing recruiter to find a Manufacturing Director to fit your needs.
Manufacturing Director Position Overview
One of the main responsibilities of a Director of Manufacturing is to develop and implement manufacturing strategies that align with the overall goals and objectives of the company. This includes identifying and addressing bottlenecks in the manufacturing process, developing and implementing production forecasting and replenishment systems, and monitoring and analyzing manufacturing data in order to make informed decisions about production and inventory management.
Another important aspect of the job is managing relationships with suppliers, vendors, and other partners. This includes negotiating contracts, monitoring supplier performance, and identifying new suppliers and partners as needed. The Director of Manufacturing must also be able to effectively communicate with other departments within the company, such as sales, marketing, and finance, in order to ensure that manufacturing processes align with overall business goals and objectives.
In addition to these responsibilities, a Director of Manufacturing may also be responsible for overseeing manufacturing-related projects and initiatives. This can include implementing new manufacturing technologies, such as automation or 3D printing, and leading the deployment of new manufacturing processes and procedures.
Required and Desired Skills
To be successful in this role, a Director of Manufacturing should have a strong understanding of manufacturing processes and principles, as well as experience with manufacturing-related technologies and tools. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are also important, as is the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
A Director of Manufacturing should have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, manufacturing or a related field, and several years of experience in manufacturing or operations management. Some Directors of Manufacturing may also have an advanced degree, such as an MBA or a master’s degree in engineering or operations management.
Director of Manufacturing Salary Range and Benefits
In terms of salary, the range for a Director of Manufacturing can vary greatly depending on the size of the company and the industry they are working in. According to salary data from PayScale, the average salary for a Director of Manufacturing is around $129,000 per year, with a range of around $90,000 to $160,000 per year. However, this is just an average, and actual salaries can vary greatly depending on factors such as the company’s size, location, and industry.
A Day in the Life of a Manufacturing Director
A typical day begins by catching up with the Duty Shift Supervisor. Plants rarely shut down so it is essential to be up to speed on real-time production schedules and any mishaps along the line. This allows the Manufacturing Director to prioritize the day in accordance with production schedules, etc. The Director meets with the production and floor team and then with the Management team. All numbers are reviewed as the day moves into the afternoon. While monitoring production, safety issues, vendor relations, and scheduling, the Director moves through the afternoon keeping tabs on all team members. After compiling all necessary information from the day’s work, incoming night shift supervisors are briefed accordingly.
Best Practices in Hiring a Director of Manufacturing
Given the highly specialized nature of the skills in this position, finding a top-tier candidate can be challenging. Layer in the necessary leadership qualities and the skill sets in a highly volatile and dynamic field like supply chain and that search becomes even more difficult. It is unlikely that the best candidates will simply go to your website hoping to get hired off of your job posting. Job boards tend to have similar results, attracting a high volume of low-quality applicants.
Specialized talent acquisition professionals, aka supply chain recruiters, can streamline your search for supply chain talent. Many of these talent professionals have worked in supply chain and are well versed in the niche skill sets required to not only thrive in the position, but to lead a team of supply chain professionals. They work to understand trends and analysis in the field and are able to work closely with your hiring team to ensure that your search is tailored to your needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a Director of Manufacturing is a senior-level professional responsible for overseeing and managing all aspects of a company’s manufacturing operations. They are responsible for developing and implementing manufacturing strategies, managing relationships with suppliers and partners, and leading manufacturing-related projects and initiatives. To be successful in this role, a Director of Manufacturing should have a strong understanding of manufacturing processes and principles, as well as experience with manufacturing-related technologies and tools. The salary range for a Director of Manufacturing is around $90,000 to $160,000 per year. This director of manufacturing job description is just a guide but can help you benchmark needs and requirements for the position.
