Director of Operations

Nippon Paint Automotive Americas Inc. (NPAA) offers employees a generous earned bonus structure including monthly hourly attendance bonuses, merit increases and an annual bonus incentive plan. Employees receive 11 paid holidays per year, earn paid time off, can enroll in comprehensive health and welfare plans and a 401K plan with an exceptional company match. We provide employee recognition programs, tuition reimbursement and much more. When you join our team, you are part of our NPAA family. We hold several events throughout the year for our employees to show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication. Come join a great team

The Director of Operations is a professional who will oversee & direct all manufacturing operations for the Chattanooga location within the NPAA group. This role will ensure conformance to safety, environmental and quality systems in accordance with regulatory, customer and internal requirements. This role will work jointly with the supply chain team to ensure the manufacturing & distribution of coatings products meets business and customer needs. It will have a key leadership role in the development of all direct/indirect employees and will participate as a member of the NPAA Director Team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Management by Metrics: Instill a rigorous approach to management by metrics throughout the department. Empower and mentor department managers, supervisors and leaders to implement corrective actions based on the metrics on their own and ensure that metrics are used to create change within the organization.
2. Management responsibilities include developing and implementing policies and procedures, formulating manufacturing, purchasing and supply chain strategies, building and mentoring employees and driving business results. This includes ensuring the highest quality equipment, materials and production standards, overseeing and maintaining budgets and working with engineers and purchasing staff to plan, manufacture and distribute quality products that will meet customers' expectations in the most cost-effective manner.
3. Continuous Improvement: Drive employees to continue process improvements in areas of safety, efficiency and reliability at all levels of the organization. Specific focus on cycle time improvements, speed of delivery and cost savings.
4. On Time Delivery: Review the current operational performance to identify changes needed to improve on-time delivery performance.
5. Strategic Manufacturing: Work with VP’s and peer directors to develop a manufacturing vision and provide strategy for future processes, capital expenditures, IT integration.
6. Provide high energy leadership to the Operations team to create a culture change, increase accountability, and create a self-sufficient team that is able to execute to forecast, anticipate issues and pro-actively seek solutions.
7. The Director of Operations also has responsibility to act as liaison with external parties on matters relating to the procurement of services and materials for the company's products.
8. Develops and maintains manufacturing operations business plans to include all program requirements, labor hours, cycle, production costs, and image.
9. Provides input to the development of process and/or product strategy in cooperation with research and development of new and emerging products.
10. Establishes production and quality control standards, develops budget and cost controls, and obtains data regarding types, quantities, specifications, and delivery dates of products ordered.
11. Provides guidance to the development of a manufacturing process plan, including personnel requirements, material needs, subcontract requirements, facility needs, and tooling and equipment needs.
12. Reviews production and operating reports and directs the resolution of operational, manufacturing, and maintenance problems to ensure minimum costs and prevent operational delays.
13. Regularly interact with senior management or executive levels on matters concerning multiple functions and customers.
14. Ensure budgets, schedules, and performance is met in a timely manner.
15. Schedule production activities to meet long-range supply planning objectives
16. Budget responsibility (headcount, expense, and capital) for the Manufacturing and Supply Chain groups including regular forecasting of activities.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND/OR CERTIFICATION

Education and Training

• Bachelor's of Science degree in manufacturing, engineering or business administration required.
• Minimum of 10 years experience of progressive experience in a manufacturing environment, as well as strong knowledge of industry and management methodologies such as ISO 9000, Total Quality Management or Six Sigma.
• Previous supervisor experience required.
• Must have proven success in project management and have the ability to implement business process improvements affecting multiple departments.
• Additional class work in management type courses and problem-solving techniques (i.e. Operations Research, Statistical Quality Control/Statistical Process Control, Supply Chain, etc.) is desired.

General Requirements

• Experience with industrial paint and coatings - Automotive OEM manufacturing preferred.
• The ideal candidate career will have progressed through production planning, purchasing, distribution, manufacturing engineering or operations into Operations Management roles with demonstrated supervisory skills
• Training, certification and experience implementing continuous improvement, lean manufacturing, six sigma, etc. required.
• Excellent written and verbal skills are mandatory.
• Demonstrated business acumen in operational finance and portfolio management.
• Ability to sequentially multi-task and interface at all levels of management and engineering.
• ISO 14001 and TS-16949 experience is desired; to maintain rigorous automotive quality standards.
• Demonstrated experience with Continuous Improvement process implementation and taking accountability for actions and decisions.
• SAP experience strongly desired.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure appropriate flow of information.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to inquiries, and/or complaints
• Displays courtesy, tact and respect when dealing with others.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Maintains appropriate confidentiality
• Ability to meet strict deadlines
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously to successful completion
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Promotes a harassment-free environment
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships; demonstrates a commitment to teamwork
• Maintains a strong attention to detail
• Highly developed computer skills in Excel, Word and other office programs
• Manufacturing industry experience preferred
• Ability to identify and define problems, collect and analyzes data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• Ability to work off shift hours in order to meet the needs of the business.

Nippon Paint Automotive Americas Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type 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.