Director of Operations

Why join us? 

Our purpose is to design for the good of humankind. It’s the ideal we strive toward each day in everything we do. Being a part of MillerKnoll means being a part of something larger than your work team, or even your brand. We are redefining modern for the 21st century. And our success allows MillerKnoll to support causes that align with our values, so we can build a more sustainable, equitable, and beautiful future for everyone.

General Purpose

Strategic role leading overall manufacturing operations for assigned facilities. Maintain an operational capability to enable MillerKnoll to deliver customer orders reliably on the designanted leadtimes throughout the Region. To work closely with the commercial team in the region to determine and deliver the most appropriate business model, and the team structure required for a stable ordering and fulfilment process to support the key strategic growth planned for the region. Personally lead strategic projects such as restructuring, ERP implementation and new product introductions. Coach the team of direct reports to manage the day to day but stepping in when needed to support.

Key deliverables

Deliver a safety culture which ensures high levels of employee engagement, addresses risks and strives towards an accident free environment. Ensure the compliance of the team with Company health and safety standards. Maintain standards of housekeeping throughout the premises which reflects the highest standards of professionalism.

Ensure the plants achieve exceptional levels of customer service and delivery reliability with highly variable demand patterns and product variation meeting customer order requirements

Ensure all product is consistently manufactured to company quality standards and that all operating procedures are complete, accurate and conform to ISO9002

Manage the performance of the supply base to meet current and future business needs. Work with the global supply locations to establish predictable supply to support leadtimes. Support the other regions with their future and current sourcing requirements.

Implement, support and develop an MKPS culture as the MillerKnoll operating system to reduce associates struggles, improve processes, capacity and quality at the lowest cost.

Achieve exceptional levels of employee engagement through regular and open communication, two way feedback at all levels and an environment where issues can be openly raised and positively received at all levels of leadership. Communicate company performance and other issues through team meetings.

Ensure the Operational team supports both existing and future operational requirements. Ensure that all acquisitions, strategic projects and facility changes are implemented smoothly and achieve business requirements.

Manage the appropriate business systems to support our business processes and ensure compliance with legal and MillerKnoll policies.

Recruit staff of the correct calibre. Ensure new team members are fully inducted and develop training plans for all staff. Coach and develop the skills, techniques and experience of all team members. Build development plans to ensure career success; participates in succession planning activities

Understand the commercial aspects relating to the business and act as a member of the management team in implementing strategic plans and objectives for the function that will enable the business plan to be achieved.

Develop and manage a strong operational leadership team who are customer focused and able to work within both local legal requirements and MillerKnoll company culture.

Participates in the development of corporate manufacturing strategies and develops a plant specific strategy to align.

Ensures that objectives are achieved on a timely basis at the lowest cost (within financial resources), while maintaining quality requirements

Achieve target levels demonstrated by data on the following key performance measures:

• Safety
• Quality
• Reliability
• Cost
• Employee engagement
• Regional Sales growth
• Margin improvement

Performs additional responsibilities as requested to achieve business objectives

Resource management

Financial:

• Labour and Expense budgets

Human:

• Responsible for manufacturing and operational teams
• Work with cross functional teams throughout the region and globally.
• Work globally to leverage resources as appropriate including lean specialists, supply chain management.

Contacts and relationships

Internal contacts:

Reports to the VP – International Operations

Frequent contact with the commercial VP’s and Sales Teams in the region

Frequent contact with other MillerKnoll departments globally for leverage of resources.

External contacts:

Customers and dealers in support of sales or service activity

Suppliers of material, equipment and services.

Person profile

Education and experience

Essential:

Degree Level Qualification, preferably in a technical discipline

Minimum of 15 years leadership experience in an operations/logistics/supply chain/customer service environment

Committed to and able to demonstrate being passionate about process improvement and delivery of excellent customer service

Experience of operations in EMEA, USA or Europe

Competences

Essential:

Able to develop and implement effective strategies and processes

Able to manage projects in a structured way to meet cost and time objectives

Able to motivate and lead a team of people effectively

Able to effectively present information in verbal and written form

Able to handle difficult people issues in a sensitive, fair and consistent manner

Able to demonstrate a case using data

Able to conduct business using appropriate electronic system and IT packages

Cultural awareness and sensitivity

Fluent verbal and written English

Characteristics

Essential:

Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills particularly communicating with team members across cultures and functions

High level of drive, initiative and assertiveness

Seeks to achieve results through others

Innovative and creative in devising solutions to problems and selling them to other members of the team

Able to implement change and adapt to meet new challenges

Able to work under pressure

Flexible and able to travel occasionally

Who We Hire?

Simply put, we hire everyone. MillerKnoll is comprised of people of all abilities, gender identities and expressions, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, veterans from every branch of military service, and more. Here, you can bring your whole self to work. We’re committed to equal opportunity employment, including veterans and people with disabilities.

MillerKnoll complies with applicable disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact MillerKnoll Talent Acquisition at careers_help@millerknoll.com.

Read Full Description