Position Overview:
The Head of Operations is a key executive position responsible for the leadership of all operational aspects of our capital equipment and consumables business, including Supply Chain, Manufacturing, and Quality Assurance. The Head of Operations also collaborates closely with Engineering, Sales, Finance, and Customer Service teams to align Operations with the company's growth strategy, customer expectations, and regulatory requirements. Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or a related field preferred
- Master’s degree (MBA or equivalent) is a plus
- 8–10+ years of progressive leadership in operations, manufacturing, or supply chain within capital equipment or life sciences manufacturing.
- Inclusive and authentic leadership style
- Experience in developing operational excellence in early-stage start-up and rapid growth manufacturing environments
- Proven experience establishing and leading an effective Quality Assurance team. Must have implemented quality and operational excellence tools (TQM, ISO 13485, Lean, Six Sigma)
- Demonstrated success in ERP implementation utilizing Epicor, Dynamics 365, NetSuite, SAP or similar ERP systems
- Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills with a strategic mindset and hands-on execution ability
- Proven capabilities in supplier management, including contract negotiation and risk mitigation
- Analytical mindset with the ability to make data-driven decisions. Decisive and able to prioritize effectively in a complex environment
Responsibilities:Operations Strategy & Optimization
- Develop and execute scalable operational strategies aligned with company growth and evolving customer needs.
- Drive process improvements across supply chain, manufacturing, and quality to reduce cost and increase efficiency.
- Align operations with new product launches and regulatory requirements.
Performance Management
- Define and track KPIs (e.g., on-time delivery, quality, cost per unit).
- Provide executive-level reporting and insights to guide business strategy and continuous improvement.
Supply Chain & Procurement
- Lead end-to-end supply chain operations: planning, sourcing, procurement, vendor management, logistics, and inventory control.
- Partner with Sales and Marketing to maintain effective Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP).
- Optimize supplier relationships, negotiate cost savings, and implement vendor scorecards.
- Balance just-in-time inventory with production needs, maintaining inventory accuracy and cash flow goals.
ERP & Systems Leadership
- Serve as operations lead for ERP implementation and optimization.
- Ensure data accuracy, integration across departments, and real-time reporting to support decision-making.
Manufacturing Management
- Oversee daily capital equipment production with a focus on safety, quality, and delivery performance.
- Apply lean principles and capacity planning tools to increase throughput and reduce waste.
- Collaborate with R&D to improve manufacturability and scale-up of new products.
- Manage tooling, subcontracting, and internal capabilities as needed.
Quality & Compliance
- Oversee QA/QC programs in compliance with ISO 13485, FDA, and related standards.
- Foster a culture of quality using CAPA, root cause analysis, and proactive quality tools.
- Ensure audit readiness and represent the company during inspections and certifications.
Risk & Regulatory
- Identify and mitigate risks related to quality, compliance, supply chain, and safety.
- Ensure alignment with environmental, health, and regulatory standards.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead and develop a high-performing operations team.
- Promote cross-functional alignment and solve interdepartmental challenges.
- Support employee development, succession planning, and organizational growth.
Other duties as assigned.
