Director, Operations

Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases is a leading provider of cryogenic pumps, heat exchangers, process systems, services, and solutions for the LNG and industrial gases industry. We are a subsidiary of Nikkiso Company Ltd, a leading industrial manufacturer headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with over $1.5 B in annual revenue, 8000 + employees worldwide, and publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Nikkiso ACD is an engineering and manufacturing company specializing in machinery designed to operate at cryogenic temperatures as low as – 420 degrees Fahrenheit, the boiling point of Liquid hydrogen. For over 50 years, Nikkiso ACD has specialized in centrifugal and reciprocating pumps as well as turbines for air separation. Nikkiso ACD has the most diversified product line in the industry covering nearly every application requiring pumps or turboexpanders.

The Director of Operations is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the manufacturing process, including production, product testing, environmental health and safety, lean and manufacturing engineering for Nikkiso ACD in Santa Ana, CA. This role requires to work with the executive team to develop and implement strategies that optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of the manufacturing operations to ensure the delivery of high-quality products on time and within budget. It might require working with different sites within Nikkiso to identify opportunities to optimize and improve manufacturing operations while documenting best practices across the business.

This position is based at Nikkiso ACD, LLC, located in Santa Ana, CA.

• This role may act as interim site leader as needed, responsible for delivering quality product on time while improving existing processes and supporting engineering development 
• Develop and implement operational strategies that improve the efficiency, productivity, and profitability of the manufacturing operations for cryogenic pumps
• Oversee the outsourced manufacturing companies, ensuring that products are manufactured on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards as the company in the US
• Ensure that manufacturing operations comply with all relevant safety and environmental regulations
• Develop and manage the annual manufacturing budget and monitor and control expenses to ensure that they remain within budgetary constraints
• Identify and implement process improvements that increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality while reducing product cost and increase margins
• Manage and develop a large team of manufacturing professionals, providing coaching and mentoring to enable them to reach their full potential
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, design, and sales, to ensure that products meet customer requirements
• Maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders, including suppliers, customers, and outsourced manufacturing partners
• Develop and implement consistent processes and best practice strategies, policies, procedures, and goals
• Work cross-functionally with product manager, product development, engineering and project management teams to ensure company goals are met and the necessary support to deliver on time is provided  
• Lead the effort in identification, recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, training, and ongoing engagement of high-performance team members
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators for manufacturing such as safety, quality, delivery, cost, cash and, people
• Address escalated customer issues with speed and urgency, orchestrating resources across the company as appropriate
• Identify and remove obstacles to delivering products consistently on time with the right quality

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or Operations Management, or related field or equivalent work experience
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a manufacturing leadership role, preferably in the rotating equipment industry
• Extensive knowledge in manufacturing that are consistent with Nikkiso ACD centrifugal and reciprocating pump products, and how they are manufactured for the cryogenic industry preferred
• Proven track record of developing and implementing operational strategies that improve efficiency, productivity, and profitability
• Extensive experience managing budgets and controlling expenses for operations
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements and environmental and safety regulations
• Extensive knowledge in lean manufacturing
• Strong knowledge of quality control systems and procedures
• Hands-on experience working with global manufacturing operations
• Broad knowledge of multi-functional and multi-site teams working in a global environment
• Broad knowledge working with cryogenic industries
• Hands-on experience with Problem Solving / Six Sigma
• Project Planning / Project Management experience is preferred
• Ability to communicate effectively with senior management
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Progressive experience in roles leading manufacturing operations
• High adaptability and flexibility, including the ability to manage deadline pressure, ambiguity, and change
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to connect with and positively influence leadership at all levels of the organization
• Self-motivated with extremely strong sense of urgency-act as a change agent in the organization
• Demonstrates excellence in interpersonal skills - verbal and written communication, self-starter, positive make-it-happen attitude, team player
• Able to travel domestically and internationally as needed

Supervisory Responsibility

Reports to General Manager and manages and develops a team of manufacturing professionals, providing coaching and mentoring to enable them to reach their full potential.

Work Environment

This job operates in both a professional office environment and a manufacturing/production environment. Commitment to safety is essential. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers, photocopiers, and smartphones.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary. 

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Compensation: $135,000 to $175,000 annual salary plus bonus via management incentive plan

Nikkiso CE&IG is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.