Director of Manufacturing

ROCKWOOL Group • Chicago, IL

1d • $150,000 - $175,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Rockfon is seeking an experienced Director of Manufacturing to lead our Chicago manufacturing facility (60638) and drive operational excellence across our 100-person team. In this onsite role, you'll directly supervise 5 managers while partnering with our VP of Operations, N.A. to shape the future of our North American manufacturing operations. Ready to help build a better future for generations to come? In an ever-changing, fast paced world, we owe it to ourselves and our future generations to live life responsibly. At ROCKWOOL, we work relentlessly to enrich modern living through our innovative stone wool solutions. Join us and make a difference! As the Director of Manufacturing, you’ll deliver best-in-class manufacturing performance by meeting or exceeding targets for quality, cost, delivery, productivity, and plant financial performance, while managing and optimizing the overall manufacturing budget. Build and foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across manufacturing teams. Utilize data, KPIs, and performance metrics to drive operational decision-making and continuous improvement. Develop and mentor manufacturing leadership and frontline teams to strengthen organizational capability and succession planning. Lead continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations utilizing Lean, ROPEX, and other operational excellence methodologies to drive waste reduction, process optimization, and sustainable performance improvements. Partner with Engineering, Product Development, and Commercial teams to successfully execute new product introductions, ensuring efficient production ramp-up, process readiness, and alignment with customer requirements. Establish and drive adoption of standard operating procedures (SOPs), best practices, and standardized work to improve consistency, simplify workflows, and enable scalable manufacturing processes. Provide leadership and oversight of plant and facilities maintenance, implementing best-in-class reliability and preventative maintenance programs, including Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) to maximize equipment uptime and operational efficiency. Support and lead efforts to ensure compliance with industry certifications and quality audits including agencies such as ICC-ES, UL, and Intertek, maintaining regulatory compliance and product integrity. Collaborate closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Sales, Marketing, and key suppliers to optimize operational alignment, improve service levels, and enhance overall customer satisfaction and product performance.

Requirements

• 10+ years’ experience in manufacturing of engineered products in a high volume, high mix manufacturing industry, preferably in sheet metal forming industries
• 5+ years of plant management experience
• Proven track record of driving productivity, quality and continuous improvement in manufacturing related KPIs using advanced LEAN/ROPEX, Six Sigma, quality tools, and other industry leading best practices
• Bachelor’s Degree – Engineering and/or Operations Management preferred
• Cross functional experience in Engineering and Supply Chain management
• Knowledge of the building industry required and the ceiling industry, preferred
• P&L Experience

Responsibilities

• Deliver best-in-class manufacturing performance by meeting or exceeding targets for quality, cost, delivery, productivity, and plant financial performance, while managing and optimizing the overall manufacturing budget.
• Build and foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across manufacturing teams.
• Utilize data, KPIs, and performance metrics to drive operational decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Develop and mentor manufacturing leadership and frontline teams to strengthen organizational capability and succession planning.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations utilizing Lean, ROPEX, and other operational excellence methodologies to drive waste reduction, process optimization, and sustainable performance improvements.
• Partner with Engineering, Product Development, and Commercial teams to successfully execute new product introductions, ensuring efficient production ramp-up, process readiness, and alignment with customer requirements.
• Establish and drive adoption of standard operating procedures (SOPs), best practices, and standardized work to improve consistency, simplify workflows, and enable scalable manufacturing processes.
• Provide leadership and oversight of plant and facilities maintenance, implementing best-in-class reliability and preventative maintenance programs, including Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) to maximize equipment uptime and operational efficiency.
• Support and lead efforts to ensure compliance with industry certifications and quality audits including agencies such as ICC-ES, UL, and Intertek, maintaining regulatory compliance and product integrity.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Customer Service, Sales, Marketing, and key suppliers to optimize operational alignment, improve service levels, and enhance overall customer satisfaction and product performance.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay & Benefits from Day 1: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401K Match: Up to 6%
• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO, 12 paid holidays, and parental leave.
• Educational Assistance & Career Growth: Invest in your future.
• Wellness Perks: Fitness reimbursement and EAP access.
• Safety First: Company-provided PPE and programs to keep you protected.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director